Rain fails to dampen spirits at groundbreaking for downtown arena

Groundbreaking ceremony is held for the downtown arena.

In the span of two rain-soaked hours, Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken today was credited with making the new arena possible in downtown Toledo, was granted the facility s unofficial naming rights, and turned a shovel of dirt to commence the building s construction.

The arena s groundbreaking ceremony was forced mostly indoors by inclement weather, but Mr. Gerken still enjoyed his day in the sun.

During the oratory portion of the ceremony, in which local and state government officials and business leaders stood up, took a bow, and offered a few words inside the SeaGate Centre, Mr. Gerken was cited by his colleagues as the driving force behind the arena s evolution.

Tina Skeldon Wozniak, president of the Lucas County commissioners, told a crowd of about 150 people that without Mr. Gerken s leadership, we would not be here today.

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