Remodeling project planned for suite level at Grand Forks Alerus Center
Dec. 28—GRAND FORKS — The suite level in the Alerus Center is set to undergo a large renovation next year.
Some of the projects will include painting the suite level corridor, refinishing the suite level elevator cab and building additional suites.
Alerus Center General Manager Anna Rosburg said it will be the first major remodel of the suite level in the city-owned facility's history.
"The renovation is necessary based on the condition it is in and ensuring we can continue to provide a great guest experience, since there has not been a full renovation in the 21-year venue history," Rosburg said.
Additionally, the number of people using the suites has increased over the years, prompting the need for more seating.
"We've almost doubled the amount of annual clients on the Happy Harry's Suite Level since 2017," Rosburg said. "There is now a waiting list for suites and the entire main suite level is sold out on an annual basis."
At present, the Alerus Center has a total of 14 suites, plus a club lounge. The renovation will build out five spaces into additional suites on the upper suite level. Rosburg said those five suites combined will have a total of 44 seats, with that space already being used to accommodate people.
"We just started using this space to accommodate more guests based on high-demand concerts and drive more revenue the past few years," she said.
Members of the Events Center Commission still need to award the project bid to one of the three contractors that submitted bids. Of the three bids, all are under the budget of $1.47 million.
Commission members are set to award the bid to Diversified Contractors, the lowest bidder, in the amount of $1,331,800, at a special meeting on Jan. 4. Diversified Contractors was also the only contractor that bid on making refinements to the suite level elevator cab.
Funding for the renovation will come from the Alerus Center's long-term capital budget, which is funded through the city's sales tax. Of that, the three-quarters-of-a-cent tax is dedicated to fund payment of bonds for the construction and capital needs on the facility.
The start of renovation is still to be determined, depending on the contractor's scheduling. Rosburg said the hope is for work to start early next year.
Rosburg said she and staff are excited to see the renovations start and for the finished product to be complete.
"We are thrilled to see the project moving forward and very excited about the second level coming together to provide a full suite experience," she said. "We are thankful to our sponsors that are involved in that part of the venue — Happy Harry's Suite Level, the Steamatic Club Lounge that is on that level and all of our suite-holders that continue to support Alerus Center."
