CENTERS AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
Overview
The Sonnentag Event Center and John & Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse at the County Material Complex (The Sonnentag), opened in September 2024, and provides sports and event spaces that serve UW-Eau Claire intercollegiate athletes and students, the Eau Claire community, and outside rental groups. The multi-use facility is the largest indoor event venue in northwest Wisconsin. UW- Eau Claire alumni John and Carolyn Sonnentag and their family foundation donated a historic gift of $70 million and land to fund the project. In addition, UW-Eau Claire students passed a referendum in 2021 supporting a fee of $90 per semester for use and maintenance of the complex. Project partners include Blugold Real Estate, Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin, city of Eau Claire, Visit Eau Claire, and UW-Eau Claire. The Sonnentag replaces Zorn Arena and transforms sports tourism and entertainment opportunities for the University and the broader community. CENTERS will lead day to day operations of The Sonnentag, partnering with the University to support internal events such as athletics, recreation and graduation, as well as marketing the facility to the external market for live events and concerts, youth sports tournaments, rentals, and more.
Facility Facts
• 225,000 GSF
• The Sonnentag Event Center – a 5,000-seat Arena (including 4 Gymnasium Courts)
• The John and Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse – An Indoor 120 Yard Turf Facility
• UW-Eau Claire Center for Health and Wellbeing
• Two Multi-purpose Studios
• Meeting Rooms
• Merchandise Store
• Concessions
• Blugold Athletic Offices
• Locker Rooms
• The Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center
Wyatt Tinnen, General Manager
Wyatt Tinnen has recently joined CENTERS as the General Manager of The Sonnentag in Eau Claire, WI. He is responsible for the overall operations, scheduling, and booking of the new venue where he intends to attract new concerts, sports, family events, and conventions to the Chippewa Valley. Wyatt has 24 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with nearly 17 years as a Director with Anschutz Entertainment Group, overseeing ticketing, finance, security, guest services, sales, and analytics. The Sonnentag will be the sixth building opening in Mr. Tinnen’s career, having previously been part of the opening team for The Stubhub Center in Carson, CA, The Dolby Theater in Hollywood, CA, Ceasar’s Colosseum in Las Vegas, NV, T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO, and Impact Field in Rosemont, IL. Wyatt is the fourth generation of his family to work in sports and entertainment dating back to 1949.
