CITY OF WORCESTER EXTENDS ASM GLOBAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT OF DCU CENTER
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WORCESTER, Mass. – Oct. 7, 2024) — ASM Global, the world’s No. 1 development, full-service venue and live-events company, along with the City of Worcester have reached an agreement to extend ASM Global’s management services of the city-owned DCU Center Arena and Convention Center located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
ASM Global has been the management firm since prior to the opening of the arena in September 1982.
The Civic Center Commission, the five-member board, which oversees ASM Global’s management contract on behalf of the City of Worcester, voted unanimously to recommend the contract extension.
“ASM Global has continued to demonstrate its exceptional level of professional management at the DCU Center Arena and Convention Center as well as the Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink, and we are glad to extend its contract,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Residents and visitors alike will continue to experience the high-quality product the DCU Center is known for.”
Since opening, the DCU Center has been recognized as the gathering place for people to experience the finest in entertainment, sporting events and public functions in Central Massachusetts and has welcomed over 27 million guests collectively to the arena and convention center. Over the last four decades, the facility has undergone numerous capital improvement projects beginning with the first expansion of the arena in 1987, the addition of an attached 50,000-square-foot convention center in 1997, the additional expansion of the arena in 1987 and 2019, and most recently the completion of a $7 million project to replace 15,000 seats in the arena during the summer of 2023. Additional facility improvements have focused on updating infrastructure, improving fan amenities, enhancing connectivity to the urban surroundings, revenue enhancements and improved systems to reduce expenses and provide for energy conservation.
“We are honored by the City of Worcester’s continued confidence in our team at DCU,” said Doug Thornton, ASM Global’s executive vice president stadiums, arenas and theaters. “This extension allows us to build on our successes and ensure Worcester continues to grow its market share of events and win over audiences with its unique blend of innovation.”
In addition to overseeing the daily operations of both the arena and the convention center, ASM Global will continue to operate the facility's food and beverage services through SAVOR catering. ASM Global will also continue to manage the Worcester Common Oval Ice Skating Rink, a public ice skating rink located behind City Hall. And, as part of the 10-year contract extension, ASM Global has committed to a $3.5 million investment in the DCU Center, focusing on enhancing food and beverage operations, creating digital advertising opportunities to drive new revenue, and implementing additional technology upgrades.
“ASM Global is grateful for the support and trust that the City of Worcester and the Civic Center Commission have shown us over the past 42 years,” said Sandy Dunn, ASM Global general manager of the DCU Center. “Together we have experienced tremendous growth, and we look forward to continuing to build on that momentum by driving economic development for the city, providing a first-class experience for our guests and showcasing all that the DCU Center has to offer.”