The Nutter Center takes its name from the late Ervin J. Nutter, a Beavercreek industrialist and university trustee who donated more than $1.5 million for its construction.
The arena has hosted such top performers as Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. Sen. John McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate in August 2008 at the Nutter Center. President Barack Obama also held a rally there during his 2008 election campaign.
“We are a public university and hope to add back to the community in a positive way,” Angle said.
Wright State is scheduled to retire its debt on the $34 million facility in June 2011 with its final payment on $15.3 million in state bonds issued for construction.
The Nutter Center breaks even financially, said Stephanie Gottschlich, university spokeswoman.
Greene County still owes approximately $400,000 for the ice rink and other improvements that brought the now-defunct Dayton Bombers to the arena in 1996, said Howard Poston, county administrator. The county continues to pay down the debt, he said.
The Nutter Center shares revenues of ice events, such as the “Disney on Ice” show scheduled for September, with the county, said John Siehl, the arena’s executive director.
“We will continue to do that and try to be as good a partner as we can to Greene County to help them retire that bond,” Siehl said.
Nutter Center attendance is “off just a touch” amid the current economy, but that’s a common problem industry-wide, Siehl said.
Arena officials are “trying to find any kind of business we can so that we can fulfill our mission ... of really raising the visibility of the university by presenting a wide and diverse mix of events,” Siehl said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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