Catalyst Development

Catalyst Development engaged with the TowerPinkster team and design partner Rossetti to develop a transformational project in the heart of Kalamazoo. The new $250 million event center, which has been in the making for over 25 years, will have an arena with the capacity for 8,000 people for concerts and 6,500 people when configured for hockey and basketball. The event center will be constructed on what are currently vacant lots and parking lots. The project includes a practice ice sheet, a basketball performance center, a multi-purpose event space, and related program elements.

The new arena is expected to generate more than $54 million in annual economic impact regionally from an estimated 236 events bringing in 548,000 visitors, according to a feasibility study conducted in 2021 by Conventions Sports and Leisure International for Discover Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership and Southwest Michigan First. It is expected to host more than 230 events, shows, concerts, and community sporting events annually. It will be the future home of Western Michigan University men’s hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, and Kalamazoo Wings hockey.