In 2015, the City of Fort Wayne commissioned Hunden and Associates to survey the possibility of a mid-sized arena in downtown Fort Wayne. In 2016, the Allen County Commissioners and the City of Fort Wayne issued an Request for Proposals for architectural firms to provide a schematic design package relative to the cost and scope for this new 5,000 to 6,000 seat arena.
Elevatus Architecture and Sink Combs Dethlefs, with a team of local engineering and support firms, were engaged to begin work on this multi-purpose sports, entertainment and cultural complex. The purpose of the schematic design package delivery was to develop a building design aligning with a space and use program and estimate of construction cost for the economic feasibility and community viability.
With the direction of the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) the design team incorporated many features requiring a facility of this size to be focused on community, and the desire to be more than a sports venue. Many considerations were given to understand the various host of events and also expanded exhibition space for the adjacent Grand Wayne Center. Other uses included in the design & program were sports uses including both multi-court practice and game setups for basketball, volleyball, arena football, futsal and more, as well as event setups for MMA, and concerts at the end and in the round.
