Total attendance and usage of the facility at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum both increased in 2011, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Randy Brown.

Brown updated the Coliseum’s Board of Trustees at its regular meeting Wednesday, informing them that total attendance increased 2.02% from 2010, for a total of 1.13 million visitors. It was the 21st consecutive year that the facility welcomed more than a million guests through its doors.

Additionally, use of the facility increased 7.9% in 2011 from the year before, for a total of 1,405 events. Economic impact of the facility, a measure of dollars contributed to the local economy, reached nearly $100 million again. At the end of the year, the Coliseum finished in the black, by more than $65,000.

“Many arenas throughout the country lost money and I am proud to report that we did well despite a difficult economy and we are self-supporting,” said Brown. “For 2012, the outlook is great and the number of bookings is trending up.”

Also Wednesday, the Coliseum's Board of Trustees held officer elections for 2012.  Maclyn Parker was elected President of the Board; Laura Rhoades was named First Vice President; Phil GiaQuinta was named Second Vice President; Maye Johnson was named Treasurer; and Dennis Sutton was elected Secretary.

For more information about the Memorial Coliseum and its events, visit www.memorialcoliseum.com.