Arena Boosts Cultural Vitality

On my way to the Spokane Arena open house Sept. 10, I walked through Riverfront Park.

I still felt the excitement of the Expo ‘74 world’s fair as I walked through that warm September day.

As a young volunteer at the fair, I saw how an entertainment operation works from a production point of view. It allowed me to begin my career in entertainment production working summers at Riverfront Park. The experience was so enjoyable I was hooked forever.

I went on to work at the 1982 world’s fair in Knoxville, Tenn., and at Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Working at these expositions allowed me to appreciate a city’s cultural vitality during an exciting time.

Walking through Riverfront Park to the Arena, I feel a little of the same cultural vitality. I feel a little of the same excitement.

A recent study by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce translates that excitement into numbers that we all can appreciate. The study found that Spokane arts organizations generated more than $31 million for the local economy; more than 416,000 people went to 715 events, and local arts organizations employed 3,415 full- and part-time employees and hundreds of volunteers in 1994. By any definition, these are good numbers.

But now, the stakes are a bit higher.

With the opening of the Arena, the city is in a position to define itself as a thriving cultural community. A contract with MCA Concerts calling for 40 shows in the next three years guarantees a steady stream of entertainment in the Arena.

As we pat ourselves on the back for being host to major shows, let’s not forget the Opera House. Let’s not forget the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center. Let’s not forget the small producers and intimate venues that allow us to fully experience the arts.

It will be very easy to support financially the organizations that enhance the artistic experience. This can be a public radio or television station or a favorite restaurant which we enjoy on our way to a show.

Spokane has experienced incredible growth in the past few years. This growth and the poor quality of the Coliseum justified building the Arena.

We are on the verge of a cultural revolution similar to what was felt during Expo ‘74. Let’s not let it pass us by.

ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.