ROCHESTER – The city’s biggest venue will technically have new operators in 2025, though there likely won’t be staff changes.
Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center switches operators, affecting almost 150 jobs
The switch will happen in January, and Experience Rochester promises “a seamless transition” as it rehires laid-off employees.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 25, 2024 at 7:07PM
Experience Rochester has switched operating companies, ending a contract with venue specialists ASM Global and expanding a contract with its food and beverage vendor Oak View Group. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) revealed Friday that 146 workers would be affected by the switch.
ASM Global notified DEED officials last month that it planned to lay off its staff running the Civic Center. Experience Rochester said in a statement Friday that Oak View Group plans to rehire all employees once it takes over operations in January, “ensuring continuity and a seamless transition for our staff and our guests.”
The Mayo Civic Center has been a Rochester fixture since 1939, though it’s expanded over the years. It boasts almost 200,000 square feet of space, can seat up to 7,200 people in its arena and claims to be the largest event facility in southern Minnesota.
Officials say the funds are needed to avoid closing three elementary schools and to sustain services for struggling students.
