FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2026

KALAMAZOO EVENT CENTER TOPS OUT, MARKING MAJOR CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Event Center reached a major milestone today with its official topping out, as project partners, community leaders, and construction crews gathered to celebrate the placement of the final steel beam.

The 33-foot beam completes the building’s structural framework and signals a visible turning point as the venue takes shape in downtown Kalamazoo. Topping out is a construction tradition dating back more than 1,000 years and symbolizes both the peak of the build and a moment to recognize the skilled workers bringing the project to life, including the ironworkers who placed the final beam.

“This ceremony is important to all of us,” said William D. Johnston, Chairman of Greenleaf Companies. “It’s a celebration of the ironworkers and the great work they’ve done.”

Slated to open in Fall 2027, the Kalamazoo Event Center will serve as a year-round destination for sports, entertainment, and community events. The facility is expected to host more than 230 events annually, attract over 700,000 visitors, and generate an estimated $50 million in annual economic impact for the region.

“We step on hundreds of projects throughout our careers, but there are a select few that we always look back on,” said Zac Sliger, Ironworker Superintendent at Barton Malow. “We think this is going to be one of those projects.”

The venue will be the future home of the Kalamazoo Wings Professional Hockey Team and Western Michigan University’s men’s and women’s basketball and men’s hockey programs, while also bringing concerts, touring shows, and major events to downtown Kalamazoo.

Today’s milestone reflects more than construction progress. It represents continued investment in the future of downtown and reinforces Kalamazoo’s position as a regional hub for entertainment and community connection.

With the structural framework now complete, construction will move into interior buildout and exterior finishing in the months ahead.

Stay up to date with Kalmazoo Event Center’s progress through their social media platforms, @KzooEventCenter. 

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About the Kalamazoo Event Center
The Kalamazoo Event Center is a once-in-a-generation project set to transform downtown Kalamazoo into a year-round destination for sports, entertainment, and community events. Opening in Fall 2027, the venue is expected to host more than 230 events annually, attract over 700,000 visitors, and generate an estimated $50 million in annual economic impact. It will serve as the home of the Kalamazoo Wings and Western Michigan University’s basketball and hockey programs, while also welcoming concerts and major events. The Kalamazoo Event Center is proudly operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group.

About Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Greenleaf Hospitality Group (GHG) is a locally owned company committed to exceptional experiences in dining, lodging, sports, and entertainment in Kalamazoo, Michigan. For over 25 years, GHG has welcomed more than 33 million guests and grown to include 12 unique brands, including the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Burdick’s, Brick + Brine, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo Country Club, and the upcoming Kalamazoo Event Center. With a team of over 850, GHG continues to foster community connections through innovative guest-obsessed hospitality. Learn more at greenleafhospitalitygroup.com.

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