First Look At The Rock

I got to see up-close-and-personal Friday the $375 million Prudential Center
which open this week and is the first new professional sports and entertainment arena built in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area in 25 years. The facility in downtown Newark will be the home of the New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Ironmen of the Major Indoor Soccer League and Seton Hall Men’s Basketball.

However it’s a concert, not a sporting event which will christen the area on Thursday when Bon Jovi performs the first of ten concerts. During our media tour Friday it didn’t take a genius to figure out workers will be putting the finishing touches probably about the same time Bon Jovi takes the stage.

However “The Rock” is nothing short of spectacular and will seat 17,625 for hockey, 18,500 for basketball and 19,500 for concerts. If you happen to know someone who invites you into one of the 76 luxury suites or more than 2,300 club seats don’t say no….unless you call me and offer the tickets.

When plans were first announced much was made over the location but downtown Newark is experiencing a resurgence and the Prudential Center is very close to Penn Station. For those of us living at the shore the train might be the best bet as it’s a short walk from train station to the arena and special ambassadors will be on hand the first couple of weeks to guide walkers. There is no real on-site parking, except for private lots and garages so that could pose a problem for some. However New Jersey Transit is going to add trains on days of events and the real push is to use that service.

The Devils are the cornerstone of the Prudential Center and after playing their first 9 games on the road they finally get to test their new home Saturday night when they host Ottawa. They will also practice there with a beautiful 800-seat facility which you can see from one of the several restaurants and bars. Seton Hall basketball debuts on Sunday, November 11th when they welcome Monmouth University.

Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek told me he never had doubts about this project and believes fans will take to his team’s new home from the time the first puck is dropped.

From what I witnessed Friday I would have to agree.