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YOUR MARK...: Motocross fans have only a few months to wait |
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| Motocross fans are revving up for the fall opening of the $25 million Xarena in Trenton along Route 1. The new extreme sport arena will feature amateur and semi-professional motocross races, a 100-foot wind tunnel for sky-diving, a game room and restaurant. |
| Construction
is expected to begin on the 237,000 square-foot indoor
facility in late May. Completion is anticipated in the fall
with it opening in time for the Christmas holiday, said Ryan
Marshall, director of marketing for Xarena. The official
launch of the facility will occur May 17th at a groundbreaking
ceremony held at the corner of New York and Sylvestor Avenue
in Trenton. "We feel this will be the biggest thing to hit the industry in years," said Clayton Keeler, president of Xarena, in a released statement. "The city of Trenton has been overwhelmingly supportive of our concept and we look forward to bringing such a positive sport to Trenton. The New Jersey facility will be just the beginning of what we have planned for the motorcycle industry." The motorcycle industry, Marshall said is all abuzz about the facility and fans are searching the Web site for information. The indoor facility will feature air and heat exchangers to ensure the best air quality in the facility. About 7,500 fans will have their choice of watching races on two tracks. All races will be sanctioned by the America Motorcyclist Association. City officials were interested in the Xarena project for its potential to bring new disposable income into Trenton, said Dennis Gonzalez, director of Economic Development in Trenton. Gonzalez could not specify what economic impact the arena would have on the city, but it will create 175 new jobs. He added the average motocross fan earns about $75,000. While city officials were uninformed about the sport of motocross, Gonzalez said you can’t help but notice the sports impact when you surf cable television and see several motocross races. Xarena officials believe that as their facility evolves it may become the core of amateur supercross, becoming a proving ground for up-and-coming motocross stars as well as a place of enjoyment for many novice fans of the sport, Marshall said. Xarena officials are scouting locations in Ontario, Calif. for a possible second location, Marshall said. The motocross fan base is getting younger and younger, Marshall said as more and more youths are introduce to the sport. In fact, the motorcycle industry has experienced positive sale growth 12 years in a year. He equates the growth to the number of models created for younger tastes. For more information about Xarena visit its Web site at www.xarenasports.com. |
| ©The Trentonian 2003 |