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The 197,000-square-foot Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Portland鈥檚 Rose Quarter, will soon receive some TLC. The arena will close this summer and again in summer 2025 to allow construction of a variety of improvements.

Portland鈥檚 Spectator Venues Program, within the Office of Management and Finance (OMF), oversees the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (VMC), which opened in 1960. The arena hosts a total of approximately 400,000 people at around 100 events annually.

The building has received minor renovations and repairs over the years, but many of the primary systems, equipment and furnishings are original and need attention. The Portland City Council in a resolution in 2011 voiced support for renovating the arena, but no plans progressed.

In 2015, OMF conducted a study of several renovation options for the venue, as well as closure and demolition options. The study confirmed the financial viability of a renovated multipurpose arena with upgraded essential systems, as well as enhancements that would increase the functionality and appeal for a broad range of events, a city staff report states.

The coliseum needs critical deferred maintenance as well as seating bowl modernization, OMF public information officer Carrie Belding said. The work will include improving electrical and plumbing infrastructure, the concourse, and restrooms, as well as replacing the scoreboard and audio system. Plans also call for seismic and safety upgrades. The seating bowl will gain accessible seating areas, as well as premium and group seating areas.

The work will be done in phases, so it does not interfere with Winterhawks hockey games or other events. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer in partnership with venue operator Rip City Management. The building will close in late June and reopen in late September. A second closure is expected in mid-June 2025 through early October 2025. The bulk of the construction will take place during the two closure periods. Some work may be done between events outside of the closures and may continue through 2026; however, no extended closure is planned in 2026.

The project鈥檚 architect of record and design and engineering lead is Perkins&Will, led by staff based in Denver. Scott Edwards Architecture is serving as the local architect. The team also includes civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering and structural engineer Madden & Baughman Engineering. Balfour Beatty Construction LLC of Dallas, Texas, is the general contractor.

The design budget, according to the contract, is not to exceed $6.1 million. The construction budget is $53.4 million. OMF does not anticipate costs will exceed these amounts, the department stated in an email.

According to OMF, $53.4 million in taxable bonds were sold in March. The debt service on these bonds is being covered entirely with Visitor Facilities Trust Account resources. This account is dedicated to investments in visitor facilities and the travel and tourism industry. It is governed by an agreement between the city of Portland, Multnomah County and Metro.

The Visitor Facilities Trust Account receives a portion of the transient lodging tax paid on hotel room stays and a portion of the vehicle rental license fee paid on car rentals. Annual debt service on the 20-year bonds is $4.3 million.

Design costs are being paid for with resources from the city鈥檚 Spectator Venues and Visitor Activities Fund, which is a dedicated city enterprise fund that receives revenues from ticket fees at Rose Quarter venues and Providence Park, parking revenues from the city-owned Rose Quarter parking garages, as well as an annual allocation from the Visitor Facilities Trust Account.