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By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARE TWP. – Wachovia Arena has come a long way in its first decade, but there’s more can be done to make it a better venue for guests, according to the general manager.

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From the press box, Wachovia Arena General Manager Rebecca Bonnevier discusses the benefits of club seating and the extra amenities offered.

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Wachovia Arena General Manager Rebecca Bonnevier talks about the new bar area on the arena’s suite level.

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Some of Rebecca Bonnevier’s goals when she filled the position five years ago were to increase revenues, bookings and the variety of performances.

But adding more seats and packing in more guests isn’t necessarily the way to increase profits, she said.

“I know that originally, this venue was to be a larger venue and that it was cut back,” Bonnevier said.

Former chairman of the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Steve Barrouk said original plans called for a 10,000 seat arena, but budgetary restraints limited it to about 8,200.

“I think in the beginning, that was seen as an unfortunate circumstance,” Bonnevier said. “But the way that the industry is right now, our venue is the perfect size, and I would never want to add seats.”

“What I would want to add is opportunity for people to spend money while they’re here, whether it’s through merchandise, or food and beverage, or experiences that they have when they’re here,” she said.

Bonnevier envisions building the arena out over the “moat” that surrounds it – the dug-out area around the building – and constructing a restaurant accessible from both the parking lot and the concourse. She also would like to see a larger Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins merchandise store that’s also accessible from the parking lot and open every day.

She would also like patrons on the concourse level to enjoy the mountain views surrounding the arena.

“The windows at the suite level are beautiful and I think we have some of the best views around. I would like to mirror that on concourse level,” she said.

Some of Bonnevier’s goals extend beyond the building itself.

“Eventually our vision is that we hope the land the arena has and the land the chamber has is developed to include a hotel, maybe some convention space. I’d love to see a bank there or another 9-to-5 business,” she said.

“Even if some of that development ate into the parking lot, if we had a parking garage, that would be great.”

Immediate plans of the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority’s Future Directions Committee include restoring the pedestrian bridges at the east and west gates next summer and installing a new marque sign with LED lighting, said committee chairwoman Donna Cupinski.

Board Chairman Patrick Judge said the arena is on the right track financially. The authority refinanced bonds last year to save more than $1 million in interest, new management and concessions agreements were recently negotiated with SMG and the board negotiated a new contract to keep the Penguins at Wachovia for another 10 years.

Naming rights negotiations for the arena are ongoing.

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7311.