DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
Dothan city leaders recently traveled to Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada, to study arena designs as the city explores replacing its aging civic center with a new 5,000-seat multi-purpose facility.
The current civic center, which opened in 1975 and seats about 3,000 people, has hosted concerts and major events for nearly 50 years. Officials say the building has outlived its usefulness and are now considering options for a modern replacement.
District 5 Commissioner Gantt Pierce said the trip helped leaders see firsthand what a future arena in Dothan could look like.
Mayor Mark Saliba said visiting venues in person allowed officials to ask questions and learn what works best for facilities of that size.
The proposed arena would be designed to host concerts, sporting events, and conventions, bringing more entertainment and opportunities to the Wiregrass region.
City leaders say financing the project remains the biggest challenge, and no official timeline has been set.
