City of Thief River Falls selects Oak View Group

(KNOX) – The same management company that manages the Alerus Center has been chosen by a Minnesota municipality. Following a vote by the Thief River Falls City Council, the City of Thief River Falls selected Oak View Group, for management services for Ralph Engelstad Arena the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center, the Multi-Events Center and Tourist Park Campground, effective on July 1, 2024.

As part of its comprehensive management strategy, Oak View Group will focus on several key areas, including increasing event sales and sponsorships, marketing and booking the properties, managing food and beverage services, and overseeing the day-to-day operations at Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center. Oak View Group will also provide food and beverage and select management services at the softball fields within the Multi-Events Center and the Tourist Park Campground.

“After a thorough review of proposals, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Oak View Group,” said Angela Philipp, Thief River Falls City Administrator. “Oak View Group’s commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience aligns perfectly with our vision for our properties in Thief River Falls. We are confident that their expertise will help us elevate our venues to new heights.”

The Ralph Engelstad Arena and adjacent Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center provide a diverse and positive economic impact to the City of Thief River Falls by hosting live spectator events, banquets, meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions and, most of all, hockey.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with The City of Thief River Falls in managing these fantastic properties,” said Matt Lashoff, Director, Business Development for Oak View Group. “Our aim is to leverage synergies with neighboring Oak View Group-managed venues to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the event calendars and guest experiences at both REA and Huck Memorial Civic Center.”

The last year has been a big one for Oak View Group, which recently acquired management and/or food contracts at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC; Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, AL; Gateway District and the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, home of the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, KS; Footprint Center in Phoenix; BOK Center and COX Convention Center in Tulsa; and McCormick Place, the nation’s largest convention center, in Chicago, IL.