Drury to open O'Reilly arena Friday

Drury University will hold its grand opening of the $12 million, 3,100-seat O'Reilly Family Event Center Oct. 1, with a month of events to follow.

The series of opening events will culminate with an Aretha Franklin concert on Oct. 30, according to a Drury news release.

During the Oct. 1 grand opening ceremony, the public will have the chance to tour the facility. There also will be a barbecue, concert with M-Dock Band and a fireworks show, the release said.

Scheduled events in October:

• Oct. 2 - Panther Run to benefit Care to Learn, the center will serve as the start and finish lines
• Oct. 8 - Lady Panther volleyball team vs. the Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Oct. 9 - Springfield Symphony Pops concert series
• Oct. 15 - Hoops Hysteria, start of basketball practice for the Panthers and Lady Panthers
• Oct. 16 - Hammons School of Architecture's 25th Anniversary Gala Event;
• Oct. 23 - Drury Athletics Auction
• Oct. 28 - Axel and the Equators concert
• Oct. 29 - Lifehouse concert, with American Idol winner Kris Allen
• Oct. 30 - Aretha Franklin concert

Tickets can be purchased online.

In November, the O'Reilly center will host a concert by Darius Rucker - former Hootie and the Blowfish singer - and a show with comedian Bill Engvall, according to the release.

The O'Reilly Family Event Center was constructed by Killian Construction Co. and designed by H Design Group LLC. It was funded by contributions and donations, including $6 million from the O'Reilly family and $600,000 from the Pitt family - which allowed the center to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Gold standards, according to Springfield Business Journal coverage.
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