Meet the ShoWare Center

The Seattle Thunderbirds will begin play Saturday in their new home, Kent’s ShoWare Center.

The new $84.5 million arena, which has been three years in the making, will house 6,113 hockey fans for hockey and ice shows.

According to Russ Farwell, general manager of the Thunderbirds, the new arena is an improvement over the team’s current home, Seattle’s KeyArena.

“I think this building is obviously the perfect venue for us to present our sport,” Farwell said. “It’s small and close to the action. It’s got the whole package, including free parking.”

The arena will feature up to 1,900 parking stalls in the arena parking lot, the Kent Ride Share and the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center.

Additionally, Farwell said that the region is well suited for the Thunderbirds.

“Demographically, Kent is a perfect place,” Farwell said. “We’re affordable family entertainment.”