Story and Photos by Pat Krause:

Acrisure Arena Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on December 14th. Hundreds of people came to watch this free event. Local mayors, dignitaries, Owners, builders Burger Foundation, staff, donors, Hockey fans, and more. People filled the area by the 75 ft Christmas Tree that had its own lighting ceremony the day before. Owners and Acrisure Insurance members spoke to the crowd.

People wonder who Acrisure Insurance is, and that's the way they like it. The insurance Company is one of the largest in the world. They are in 16 countries. They noted that over 110 golf courses are in the Valley, and 100 are their clients to give you an idea of their scope. When the Lieweke Brothers contacted them, they were all in. The Burger Foundation is Key to this Arena with the land and their commitment. They are the landlords and partners.

Owners and dignitaries on stage stand for the anthem.

They are making this a first-class, state-of-the-art facility. The Valley will become the best place to visit in CA. Entertainment will have the best venue to perform. Ticket sales are almost sold out on all events. The Eagles concert had to have an extra day because tickets sold out so fast. They plan 40-plus shows, over 30 family events, and 36 Firebirds hockey games. The Arena is also open for Galas, Private events, and Fundraisers. This will be ONE central place to gather.

Gold Medal figure skating champion Dorothy Hamil and renowned Figure skating coach Frank Carroll.

They noted they got the Certificate of Occupancy just 30 minutes before the Ribbon Cutting. People said this couldn't be done, but they believed and did it. All the donors and OVG fell in love with our Desert. It's the Little Place That Could and did. Now they are Ready to GO. To put the final item on this Arena, they invited a Tribal Member to bless the ground by singing an old song to bring people and land together. The 18 people on the stage stood for the National Anthem, and there was a Fly-over by three planes from The Palm Springs Air Museum.

The Doobie Brothers, scheduled to play on the 16th, supported this Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Manny Lopez said the Whole Valley will benefit from what this Arena will bring. Then they announced that Olympic Gold Medalist skater, Dorothy Hamil, would perform on the Iceplex, and everyone was asked to come to watch. The Gallery was filled while 5 young skaters showed their skating abilities to music.

An awesome day.