Sneak Peek: Independence Events Center

Workers will be putting in long hours in the next few days preparing the Independence Events Center for its opening weekend.

The building holds 5,800 for hockey. Its principal tenant is the Missouri Mavericks, who are 2-5 in Central Hockey League play. The team practices in an adjacent rink that’s open to the public when large, skilled Canadians are off the ice.

In addition to hockey, the events center is vying for concerts too big for the Uptown but not quite worthy of the Sprint Center. The Zac Brown Band and Tech N9ne perform this month.

A ribbon cutting and open house take place on Saturday. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, varsity high school teams representing Independence and Rockhurst will play in the main arena. (The game is free.)

The road-weary Mavericks play their first home game on Friday, November 13, at 7:05 p.m.

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