As promoting the region is high on the Metro Chamber's agenda, President & CEO Matt Mahood called for creativity and courage in planning for a new regional entertainment and sports facility that would be a world-class venue.

"I honestly believe that if the right people get to the table, use best practices that have worked in other regions, and are creative and courageous, then there is no reason a deal can’t get done," Mahood said. "This is a critical issue to the business community in the Sacramento region."

Since November 2000, the Metro Chamber has engaged dialogue on a new arena for the region. Among the points the chamber considers vital:

• A modern sports and entrainment facility is a key piece of the region’s economic and civic infrastructure (just like a convention center or community theater).

• Sacramento needs the ability to host world-class entertainment and sporting events--as it brings new outside money into the local economy. Thus creating jobs.

• Having a major league franchise like the Sacramento Kings is a catalyst for raising the awareness and civic pride of Sacramento region, which enhances our brand as a great place to live, work and raise a family--especially in front of nationally televised audience.

• A significant competitive advantage is lost by not having a world-class facility.

In 2004, the Metro Chamber convened business and civic leaders who formed an Arena Task Force. The group found that:

• ARCO is quickly becoming obsolete and needs to be replaced

• A sports and entertainment facility is a civic amenity--and the public has a role in its financing, but to what degree is always debatable.

• We should take this opportunity to not just build an arena but to create a place for people to gather…one that fosters a greater sense of community pride.

• The current Arco Arena was rapidly approaching the end of its useful life and that the Sacramento region will need a new sports and entertainment center in approximately five years. (That was five years ago.)

• Public participation in the financing for the development and construction of a new sports and entertainment center is appropriate. However, in 2006, the voters did not approve Measures Q & R, indicating no interest in a large public subsidy.

• A broader, regional dialogue among potential participants in any financing plan (from both the public and private sector) would facilitate the necessary discussion about the most feasible and appropriate sources of both public and private financing for such a project. In other words, we should try to develop a regional solution, if possible.

The chamber's arena task force recommended that the following factors be considered when determining the correct site:

• The site should be a catalyst for complementary development or redevelopment.

• The site should promote city and regional goals of smart growth, transit orientation and urban revitalization.

• It should be accessible by multiple forms of transportation, including walking, mass transit and light rail while still convenient to major thoroughfares by automobile.

• It should create a long-term synergistic entertainment benefit and have the maximum ability to draw attendance from the broader region.

• It must be financially feasible and minimize the potential risk of construction cost overruns and further delays.

"Previous efforts over the course of the last nine years have failed," Mahood said. "We need to learn from those mistakes."

Moreover, Mahood urged members of the new task force not to worry about criticism likely to occur--no matter what they decided."

"From our experience traveling to other cities (Denver, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Charlotte, San Diego, Phoenix, San Jose), Mahood said, these deals require a public/private partnership--and strong courageous leadership to see the deal through. Be courageous!"