Chevy Centre luxury suites still selling

YOUNGSTOWN —Despite a struggling economy, a decline in sponsorships and the loss of its minor-league hockey team, the Chevrolet Centre hasn’t taken a big hit when it comes to renting luxury suites, its executive director says.

“Big cities are losing suites and sponsorships,” said Eric Ryan, the center’s executive director. “But we’re not the only ones with challenges.”

Ryan returned Wednesday from a national meeting in Ft. Lauderdale of arena managers.

The Chevrolet Centre is losing some of its sponsorships, most notably General Motors ending its $175,000 annual naming rights fee Sept. 30, Ryan said. He expects to have a new naming rights deal with another entity in a couple of months.

But when it comes to luxury suites, 21 of the 24 it leases are occupied, he said. The center also has two suites it rents per event.

Despite the economy and the center’s challenges, it hasn’t lost any of its suite leases, and added one earlier this year, Ryan said.

An annual suite lease is between $30,000 and $40,000.

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