On Wednesday, November 4, the Allen City Council will cut the ribbon to the newest entertainment venue in the region, the Allen Event Center. "It’s an exciting time in Allen," reports Mayor Stephen Terrell. "We are seeing the result of years of strategic planning that included setting Allen apart in the North Texas region as the place to be.

The Allen Event Center is a 188,000 square foot multipurpose facility that features two sheets of ice and 6,225 fixed seats with the capacity to seat up to 8,600 for non-ice events. The center will serve as home to concerts, trade shows, professional sporting events and the Allen Americans, the Dallas Stars Affiliate CHL team. The Allen Americans began the season start-up with an undefeated 4-0 record.

Mayor Terrell said, "We get to open our premier event center with a winning hockey team and a Reba McEntire concert. Combine this with the extras of free parking and a Community Ice Rink and we have met our goal to become a regional entertainment destination for families."

As soon as the ribbon falls in front of the event center doors, facility staff will host an open house that ends at 5 p.m. The open house will include an opportunity to scout out seats and get a sneak peek at the Allen Americans as they practice on ice. Areas of the center such as the luxury suites, back stage and dressing rooms will be open for viewing as well. These areas are normally closed to the public.

In addition, the event center will be fully operational with concessionaires open for business. Event and hockey tickets will be available for purchase either at the facility’s permanent ticket office or at the temporary box office located at The Grove inside The Village at Allen.

The open house preview extends to the Community Ice Rink. With a second full sheet of ice, general seating for 300 spectators, and party rooms, the Community Ice Rink will offer programs such as learn-to-skate, recreational and competitive hockey and figure skating. The rink will offer a place for group activities such as youth, church and corporate events, private parties, and other uses.

"One of the keys to the success of the Allen Event Center will be its ability to become part of our community," states City Manager Peter Vargas. "The Community Ice Rink provides a new recreational venue for Allen-area residents to enjoy for years to come."

The open house will offer a small taste of things to come in the new facility like the grand opening concert performance by country superstar Reba McEntire performing on November 6. She will be performing hits from her latest top selling album, Keep on Loving You, including "Strange," the debut single that was the fastest-rising chart debut of her illustrious career.

With a quick turnaround of the arena’s flexible seat formation, event staff and spectators will be set and ready for the Allen Americans’ home opener against the Corpus Christi IceRays on Saturday, November 7. The Allen Americans will play in more than 30 scheduled regular season home games from November through March.

Additional information about upcoming concerts and tickets is available online at AllenEventCenter.com. Find out more on the Community Ice Rink at allenacademyofskating.com. Visit allenamericans.com for season ticket information and team news for the Allen Americans CHL home team.

The public ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 10 a.m. followed by an open house that ends at 5 p.m. The Allen Event Center is located at 200 E. Stacy Road in The Village at Allen shopping district, southeast corner of U.S.75 and Stacy Road.