Covelli Centre concludes its busiest week Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN — A Saturday concert by a trio of classic rock bands will conclude the busiest week ever in terms of attendance at the Covelli Centre, the head of the facility says.

Including Saturday’s show featuring Styx, REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger, close to 27,000 people came to the center since Sunday for four concerts and two hockey games at the city-owned facility, said Eric Ryan, the facility’s executive director.

The six ticketed events this week is equivalent to or more than the number of shows the center has in a typical summer month — the slowest time of the year for an indoor entertainment and sports facility.

The busy week at the center, which opened in October 2005, means increased revenue for the city and downtown restaurants.

For example, the city will make about $55,000 from these six events from the 5.5 percent admission tax it charges on tickets for events at the center, Ryan said.

A number of downtown restaurants were crowded on concert nights this week, and are expected to be busy Saturday.

Besides tonight’s show, there were two Trans-Siberian Orchestra concerts on Sunday and Daughtry performed Wednesday. The Youngstown Phantoms hockey team played Thursday and have a game tonight.

“It’s probably one of my biggest weeks ever,” said George Mager, owner of Cafe Cimmento, the restaurant on East Boardman Street, close to the center.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com