HOME OF THE AMBUSH BEGINS RENOVATION

St. Charles, Missouri (May 30, 2024) – The Family Arena in St. Charles has been the home of the St. Louis Ambush since the team’s inception in 2013 and the facility is undergoing a $13 million makeover this summer. Numerous improvements await fans when they return to the beloved venue for the team’s twelfth season this fall.

The arena, which opened in 1999, has had minor improvements over the years, but has not seen a major renovation until now. Family Arena General Manager Sandra Femmer reports that parking lot resealing and restriping has been completed, along with the main roof replacement and the replacement of old tube televisions and signage on the concourses with flat screen monitors.

Another major improvement is new lower-level seating. “The seats are as old as the building. They have endured a lifetime of spills, and they show it—they look dirty, even after we clean them,” says marketing and booking manager Tom O’Keefe. “Having new seats will be a radical improvement—and they’ll have thicker cushions and be more comfortable, too.”

The lowest section of seats are on retractable platforms (like indoor gym bleachers) that currently require a team of workers to expand or retract. The seating upgrade includes an automated system to do the job with the push of a button, saving time and labor, O’Keefe says.

Fans will also enjoy new technology among the improvements including new video boards, ribbon boards and upgraded guest Wi-Fi.

Another enhancement that will improve the comfort of fans is new central heating and cooling systems.

Check back during the off-season for updates as the rejuvenation of the home of the Ambush coontinues.

Over $10 million for the improvements will be paid by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and another federal grant, while about $3 million will be covered by County funding.

The upgrades are expected to be complete by fall, when the Ambush kick off their 2024-25 season. Fans can stay current on all Ambush news during the off-season by visiting the team’s official website, stlambush.com and following the team on social media outlets.