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Chi Health Center Omaha has a glass facade under curving white roof with overhang. Black exposed beam walkway over the street
CHI Health Center Omaha

An Event Center That Can Host It All

Client

Metropolitan Entertainment + Convention Authority

Project Location

Omaha, NE

Opening Date

September 2003

Area

1,200,000 SF

CHI Health Center Omaha was one of the first contiguous convention center/arena complexes in the country. A large exhibition hall, sizable ballroom, numerous meeting rooms, and plentiful pre-function space allow the convention center to easily host events ranging from large expositions and gatherings to smaller business conferences and receptions. The arena is currently home to Creighton University’s men’s basketball team and the United States Olympic Team Swimming Trials – held continuously in the facility since 2008 – but has also successfully hosted numerous NCAA Championship events, large corporate annual meetings, and premier concerts and shows.

CHI Health Center’s arena seats 17,000+ for basketball, volleyball, hockey, and concerts. This includes 32 private suites and 1,200 club seats with private lounge. The arena floor is contiguous to the convention center’s 194,000-SF exhibit hall floor, which is also served by a 720-foot-long airy lobby and pre-function space. The upper level of the convention center features a 31,000-SF grand ballroom; 11,000-SF junior ballroom; meeting rooms; and all necessary support spaces. Our firm has completed several expansion and renovation studies and built projects since the arena opened in 2003, including transforming the upper seating bowl in the arena from a “u” shape to a full 360-degree configuration shortly after the building opened. In addition, upgrades have been made to concession areas, locker rooms, concourses and the premium hospitality club as demands have evolved and sponsorship agreements have changed over time. The multi-faceted facility continues to be a huge success for the City of Omaha and has spurred hundreds of millions of dollars in ancillary development in its immediate area.

Program

The multi-faceted facility continues to be a huge success for the City of Omaha and has spurred hundreds of millions of dollars in ancillary development in its immediate area.



01
Entertainment

Original Design

CHI Health Center Omaha is recognized nationally as a premier public assembly venue for meeting, entertainment, and sporting events of all types. But maybe more importantly, the facility’s development in the early 2000’s spurred an ongoing renaissance for the entire area that was once Union Pacific’s sprawling Omaha Shops into a vibrant destination district for residents and visitors alike.

Glass skywalk connects to silver paneled building with large windows. Building labeled Qwest Center Omaha. Angled roof behind

The arena floor is contiguous to the convention center’s 194,000-SF exhibit hall floor. The upper level of the convention center features a grand ballroom, junior ballroom, and meeting rooms.

02
Athletics

An Olympic Venue

In 2007, we were asked to study the feasibility of placing temporary swimming pools in both the arena and convention center areas of the facility to host the US Olympic Team Swim Trials. After a successful collaboration with many contributors, CHI Health Center Omaha was deemed capable and worthy of hosting the Trials and has done so every Olympic cycle since 2008.

A temporary Olympic sized swimming pool set up within the empty arena. Jumbotron above has Olympic rings on bottom

The arena is currently home to Creighton University’s men’s basketball team and the United States Olympic Team Swimming Trials, held continuously in the facility since 2008.

03
Flexibility

Continued Evolution

As patron expectations have evolved, so too has CHI Health Center Omaha. Our firm has assisted the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority with numerous studies and projects that have allowed the premier facility to maintain its status as one of the most flexible and efficient venues in the country. Projects have ranged from updated club spaces and locker rooms, to rebranding of all concession stands.

A hallway between levels with concession stand and tables to right. Black ceiling above has hanging grids supporting lighting

Upgrades have been made to concession areas, locker rooms, concourses, and the premium hospitality club as consumer demands have evolved.

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