A new era has begun for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, as the SMG-managed Pinnacle Bank Arena held its ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening weekend on Thursday, August 29 – Saturday, August 31.
A host of dignitaries were on hand for the opening of the $179 million, 15,000-seat facility in Lincoln’s Haymarket District, including speeches from Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, Pinnacle Bank Arena General Manager Tom Lorenz, SMG Senior Regional Vice President Joe Romano, University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska basketball coaches Tim Miles and Connie Yori. The event was kicked off by a performance from the University of Nebraska Pep Band and a routine by the Linh Quang Lion/Dragon Dance Troupe traditionally intended to bring good luck to new projects. A total of 11 speakers thanked voters, workers, crowd members, the city and the University of Nebraska.
