{"id":4740,"date":"2011-09-22T16:20:32","date_gmt":"2011-09-22T22:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=4740"},"modified":"2018-01-19T10:28:56","modified_gmt":"2018-01-19T17:28:56","slug":"expo-center-sports-new-name-is-open-for-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=4740","title":{"rendered":"Expo Center sports new name, is open for business"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Expo<\/a>The Colorado Springs Expo Center got a new name this week as it officially opened as the city\u2019s largest venue for trade shows and corporate functions.<\/p>\n

In Tuesday morning ceremonies, the Expo Center was named the Freedom Financial Services Expo Center and officially opened following a $3 million renovation that added doors, restrooms, lighting and ventilation and removed walls, old flooring and asbestos.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is great for our community and great for UCCS,\u201d Brian Burnett, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, said. \u201cUCCS is bullish on North Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

The site will be home to such events as home, garden, car, holiday, and RV shows as well as other events that can use the large space formerly owned by defense contractor TRW. The building became the property of UCCS in 2007. In February, the CU Board of Regents approved an agreement where the Colorado Springs Housing and Building will operate the site. For the naming rights, Freedom Financial will pay $50,000 annually for five years. The funds will be used to repay the costs of renovations and building operation expenses, Burnett said.<\/p>\n

The HBA\u2019s home, remodeling and landscape show Sept. 30-Oct. 2 will be its first event. Other upcoming events include a college fair, the Colorado Springs Women\u2019s Living Expo, the All Colorado Beer Festival, a holiday food and gift festival and two gun shows.<\/p>\n

About half of the former TRW building is now renovated. The other half is now used for storage by the university.<\/p>\n