Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre announces ‘Healthcare Heroes Suite’ to thank local healthcare professionals
From a press release:
To coincide with the World Health Organization’s World Health Day today, the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township announced an initiative that will help recognize and thank local healthcare professionals at arena events beginning this fall. The “Healthcare Heroes Suite” will honor local healthcare professionals who are on the front lines fighting against the spread of COVID-19 in the community and around the world.
“Over the past five years, Mohegan Sun Arena along with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have partnered to donate over 2,300 suite level tickets to Penguins hockey games to say thank you to members of our community that have served their country and community as part of the ‘Salute to Service Suite’ program,” said Steve Poremba, director of marketing at Mohegan Sun Arena.
“The ‘Healthcare Heroes Suite’ will provide our venue with an opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude to another service sector of our community that put the health and well-being of others ahead of their own.”
The arena will begin seeking nominations online from the community on Sunday, May 10, the beginning of National Hospitals Week. Each recipient will receive tickets to a select upcoming event in a luxury suite at Mohegan Sun Arena (255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre) beginning in October, or once it is safe to host public events at the facility. Nominations and more information can be found on at mohegansunarenapa.com.
Additionally, Mohegan Sun Arena General Manager Will Beekman told NEPA Scene that, “We currently have a similar program called Salute to Service. Over the past five years, we have worked with the WBS Penguins to distribute more than 2,300 suite level hockey game tickets to those who serve our country and community. The plan is to expand that program this year to include the essential workers who are so bravely fighting the good fight during this pandemic.”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey games are currently postponed while several concerts and tours coming to the arena have been postponed (Tool, Lauren Daigle) or canceled (“Jurassic World”) due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As of now, shows scheduled in May through the end of the year – Aaron Lewis (rescheduled from March 13 to May 29), Alice Cooper (June 17), Bob Dylan (July 7), Tim McGraw (July 12), “Impractical Jokers” (Aug. 12), Alabama (Oct. 2), “WWE Raw” (rescheduled from May 11 to “WWE SmackDown” on Oct. 30), and Gabriel Iglesias (rescheduled from April 24 to Nov. 12) – will be still held unless the situation doesn’t improve. See the latest information on the status of all upcoming events at the arena at mohegansunarenapa.com.
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza is owned by the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, a government body appointed by Luzerne County, and managed by ASM Global.
ASM Global was formed from the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG in October of 2019, creating a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries, and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues.
The arena opened on Nov. 13, 1999 when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League made their debut.
Originally called the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena, the facility became First Union Arena at Casey Plaza when First Union bank purchased the naming rights. The name changed to Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in 2002 after a corporate merger. In January of 2010, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs purchased the naming rights and changed the venue name to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.
The arena’s primary tenants are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, affiliated with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
With over 8,000 permanent seats and a capacity of nearly 10,000 for concerts, the arena has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Elton John, Cher, Neil Diamond, Janet Jackson, The Eagles, AC/DC, and Simon and Garfunkel.
