Alerus Center

Alerus Center is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, owned and operated by the City of Grand Forks. The center is named after Alerus Financial, a banking and financial services company based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, which has a long history of supporting local University of North Dakota athletics and events, including NCAA Division I football games and concerts featuring Elton John, Kenny Chesney, and Taylor Swift. The Alerus Center has also hosted various expos and trade shows, such as the Upper Midwest Regional Home and Garden Show, and has been a popular venue for weddings and conferences, including events organized by the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Dakota Alumni Association.

● History

The Alerus Center was opened in 2001, with a grand opening ceremony attended by local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Grand Forks, University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella, and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven. The center was built to replace the Hyslop Sports Center, which was damaged in the 1997 Red River flood, and has since become a major hub for entertainment and business in the Red River Valley, hosting events such as the North Dakota State Fair and concerts by artists like Garth Brooks and Lady Gaga. The Alerus Center has also been used for University of North Dakota commencement ceremonies, high school graduations, and other community events, including the Grand Forks Air Force Base change of command ceremony and the North Dakota National Guard deployment ceremony. The center's construction was made possible through a partnership between the City of Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota, and private investors, including Alerus Financial and the Grand Forks Economic Development Corporation.

● Location

The Alerus Center is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, near the University of North Dakota campus and the Grand Forks Air Force Base, with easy access to Interstate 29 and US Highway 2. The center is situated in the heart of the Red River Valley, within close proximity to Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, making it an ideal location for regional events and conferences, including the Upper Midwest Regional Conference and the North Dakota Governor's Conference on Tourism. The Alerus Center is also near several hotels and restaurants, including the Canad Inns, Hilton Garden Inn, and Applebee's, which offer convenient accommodations and dining options for visitors attending events at the center, such as the Grand Forks Visitor and Convention Bureau and the University of North Dakota Athletics Department.

● Events

The Alerus Center hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, including concerts by artists like Luke Bryan and Katy Perry, comedy shows featuring comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer, and sporting events such as University of North Dakota football games and mixed martial arts tournaments, including events organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the World Wrestling Entertainment. The center has also hosted expos and trade shows, such as the Grand Forks Gun and Outdoor Show and the Upper Midwest Regional Home and Garden Show, which attract visitors from across the region, including attendees from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Additionally, the Alerus Center has been used for conferences and meetings by organizations like the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce and the University of North Dakota Alumni Association, as well as events like the North Dakota State Fair] and the Grand Forks Air Show], which feature performances by the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy Blue Angels.

● Facilities

The Alerus Center features a variety of facilities to accommodate different types of events, including a main arena with a seating capacity of over 13,000, as well as several meeting rooms and exhibition spaces, which can be used for conferences, trade shows, and other events, such as the Upper Midwest Regional Conference] and the North Dakota Governor's Conference on Tourism. The center also has a concourse area with concessions and restrooms, as well as a parking lot with over 1,000 parking spaces, which provide convenient access to the center for visitors attending events, including attendees from Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Alerus Center's facilities are managed by a team of event coordinators and operations staff, who work to ensure that every event is a success, including events organized by the University of North Dakota Athletics Department and the Grand Forks Visitor and Convention Bureau.

● Management

The Alerus Center is managed by the City of Grand Forks, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the facility, as well as booking and promoting events, including concerts by artists like Elton John and Kenny Chesney, and sporting events like University of North Dakota football games and mixed martial arts tournaments, which are organized in partnership with organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the World Wrestling Entertainment. The center's management team works closely with event promoters and organizers to ensure that every event is a success, including events like the North Dakota State Fair] and the Grand Forks Air Show], which feature performances by the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Navy Blue Angels. The Alerus Center is also supported by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the City of Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota, and the local business community, including Alerus Financial and the Grand Forks Economic Development Corporation.