Despite ongoing theater construction, competing downtown events and a shorter period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Raising Cane’s River Center officials say the complex, bolstered by its arena, experienced a successful 2019 holiday season and is anticipating a strong 2020.
Public ice skating at the River Center arena broke a record over the holidays, selling 12,000 tickets to “Ice Skating on the River” between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4, though the facility was closed both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The only other ice skating rink in Baton Rouge—Leo’s Iceland and Hockey Complex on Airway Drive—closed in early 2018.
“If you’re the only option in town, that certainly plays a role,” says Les Crooks, interim general manager. “Plus, it’s been a tradition in the community for 20 years.”
But the holiday season wasn’t without its challenges, such as when the center hosted a concert Dec. 6—the same night as the popular Festival of Lights event downtown. However, Crooks says the concert was sold out and “worked out seamlessly,” with cooperation from the Downtown Development District, city-parish and parking management company.
Perhaps chief among the center’s obstacles, though, is the $16 million worth of renovations underway on the River Center Theatre, which remains closed. Contractors are adding two elevators, expanding the lobby, and reducing the number of seats in order to add larger seats and additional access aisles.
It’s why the Baton Rouge Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” took place in the arena this year. Crooks says he can’t release attendance numbers or ticket sales without permission from the event promoters, who couldn’t be reached for comment before deadline.
“I’m sure they’re excited they only have one more year in the arena,” says Crooks, noting the ballet is typically well-attended.
While Crooks says renovations are still on track to be completed by early 2021, a slate of 18 conventions are already on the docket for the new year, including the crowd-drawing Travel South Convention and Louisiana Municipal Association Convention. Crooks doesn’t expect the theater renovations to have any adverse effects on the conventions.
“We’re expecting a great year ahead of us,” he says.
