TAMPA, FL (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — With a $35.6-million dollar renovation of the Sun Dome Arena nearing completion in May, 2012, the University of South Florida has selected Global Spectrum to operate the Sun Dome Arena in Tampa, FL, for the University. Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor, named Trent Merritt, an eight-year Global Spectrum employee, as the facility’s new General Manager.
“The Sun Dome is extremely important to both the University and the Athletic Department and we wanted to make sure we found the right company to assist us in its management,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug Woolard. “Global Spectrum is one of the top management companies for operating on-campus arenas and stadiums and we couldn’t think of a better company to assist us in bringing a variety of events to the Sun Dome. Our students and community will be wowed with the renovations and we’re excited to work with Global Spectrum to make the Sun Dome a destination arena once again.”
“Upon its completion, the Sun Dome will fit nicely with our other Florida venues,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “We are excited to bring our high-level of customer service to the University of South Florida and we’re looking forward to maximizing opportunities with our industry resources, as well as the synergistic opportunities with our other Florida venues to create experiences for the region.”
Last June, the USF Board of Trustees approved a major renovation to the 250,000-square-foot Arena including, but not limited to, the complete reconfiguration of the approximately 10,000 seat bowl area to oval seating, adding a state-of-the art center-hung LED scoreboard, adding additional concessions and restrooms on the concourse level, modifying and enhancing the southeast and southwest entries, and restoration of existing exterior concrete, and other cosmetic improvements.
The project will also include the creation of a hospitality and viewing club area, and 10 loge boxes with a total capacity of 60 seats to be sold by the USF Athletics Department.
Prior to his new assignment at the Sun Dome, Merritt was Global Spectrum’s General Manager of the Global WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON, since October 2009. Earlier he was Assistant General Manager at the John Labatt Centre, in London, ON; an Event Manager at Global Spectrum’s flagship arena, the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA; and an Event Supervisor at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon
