Video: Big plans for new Kent Events Center

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KENT, Wash. – The Sonics aren't the only team leaving Seattle.

The Thunderbirds hockey team is moving too – to Kent.

A publicly funded arena opens January 1 and there are big plans for it.

"We're really excited as a community," said Kent Economic Development Director Ben Wolters.

The $84.5 million Kent Events Center is taking shape in the downtown core, just a stone's throw from the Kent Station shopping center as well as the bus and train station.

The main tenant will be the Western Hockey League team that until next year calls Seattle home.

"KeyArena unfortunately doesn't present the game in the best possible way because of the seating configuration," said Thunderbirds spokesman Ian Henry.

The team has signed a 30-year lease to play in Kent.

It sends another blow to KeyArena, which now must compete with an already crowded market of venues like the Tacoma Dome and Everett Events Center, all of which are looking to fill at least 100 dates a year.

Kent officials believe they have carved a niche with the new arena because it only seats 6,000 people.

"They've really picked an ideal size in that 6,000 – 6,500 range which, for our business, is the size a lot of people want to see shows in," said Jeff Trisler of concert promoter Live Nation.

"We think we've hit the sweet spot on our size," said Wolters.

Kent leaders call the arena part of a bigger plan designed to weave with the new Kent Station shopping complex across the street, and there are no concerns about competition especially with an anchor tenant.

The Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice and the Barnum and Bailey Circus have also booked time next year.