One of the next major renovation projects at the Peoria Civic Center is scheduled to begin next week with an upgrade of the glass arcade on the venue's east side.
The two-phase construction to make structural improvements will start Monday, with work continuing through September. Exterior access to the entrances along Fulton Avenue, the patio walkway around the Sonar Tide sculpture next to City Hall, and the interior lobby walk-through will be unavailable.
“This project represents a meaningful investment in the future of the Peoria Civic Center and our downtown community,” general manager Rik Edgar said in a news release. “We understand construction may create a few temporary inconveniences, but our team is dedicated to making each guest’s experience as seamless as possible.”
The project continues a broader effort to revitalize and modernize the facility, initiated after the Civic Center identified close to $50 million in needed upgrades. The City of Peoria augmented a $25 million state grant with a $20 million funding plan to help cover those expenses.
Among the costliest of the needed upgrades is a replacement of the ice plant for the hockey rink at Carver Arena. That installation is targeted to begin in May, so it can be completed before the next basketball and hockey seasons start again in the fall.
