Construction of the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg is moving along, but slower than originally planned.
The Bert Ogden Arena, which will be the new home for the RGV Vipers, is expected to seat more than 9,000 people.
“This is a one-time opportunity for the Valley, to have something this big, this magnitude, and this quality,” said Edinburg mayor Richard Garcia.
The arena was expected to be completed in 2016, but delays have put the project behind schedule.
“When the soccer team was purchased, there was an agreement that they had to play their first season in 17. So, much of the work was diverted to get that finished first. It got finished first and they’ve been working here for three months, 24 hours a day,” said Garcia.
The city contributed $30 million to the project. Those funds came from a tax increment reinvestment zone, meaning no money will be used from the general fund.
“The developer is in agreement, that anything that went beyond the original cost and its increase from the $60 million range to the $90 million range. First class facility and the good news is that cost is being born by the developer,” Garcia said.
Garcia says the increase in cost is due to additional upgrades that the developer, Cantu Construction and Development, is making to the building, including additional flooring and other aesthetics.
“It’s innovative financing that’s going to be paid by the revenue that this place generates,” said Garcia.
The arena is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. It will also be used for concerts, graduation ceremonies, and sporting events. If needed, the arena will also serve as an emergency shelter.
Once the arena is completed, the estimated economic impact for the city of Edinburg is around $100 million during its first year open to the public and $45 million every year after.
