Скачать или смотреть Bobby Anderson: How Sanford Center Became a Shelter—and Got Game-Ready Fast | Paskvan Podcasts

When an historic storm ripped across Bemidji, it didn’t spare one of the city’s most important venues. In this exclusive Paskvan Podcasts & Mix 103.7 interview, Sanford Center General Manager Bobby Anderson takes us inside the chaos, the cleanup, and the comeback—sharing exactly how the arena weathered $4.5 million in damage and still kept the community fed, sheltered, and entertained.

What really happened on the roof?
Two massive exhaust units—roughly eight tons each—were ripped from their mounts nearly 90 feet up, tumbled across the roof, punched through a secondary roof, and left the building exposed. Crews later confirmed approximately 88% of the main roof membrane was compromised. The result? Water pouring through suites and concourses like a waterfall in the early hours after the storm.

From disaster site to community shelter—within hours.
Before most people were awake, the Sanford Center opened as an emergency shelter—about 6:00 a.m. the morning after the storm. With Beltrami County Public Health, the American Red Cross, city and county leadership, and an army of volunteers, staff pivoted from events to humanitarian relief. Families slept in the ballrooms. Meals were cooked and served on the fly. And while the building took on water, the team kept people first.

A race against mold, water, and time.
Calling on big-league relationships, Bobby phoned leadership at U.S. Bank Stadium (now part of Legends Global after the ASM/Legends merger). Within hours, help arrived—followed closely by SERVPRO’s statewide team. The Sanford Center’s giant desiccant wheel kicked in, knocking indoor humidity from the low 90s down to ~60% overnight, pulling standing water off club carpet and saving untold damage. Temporary roof work made the building watertight within days; the major roof repair was completed in about nine days.

The insurance reality (and myth-busting).
Yes, the price tag is huge—~$4.5M at the Sanford Center alone—but the arena (and the city) is not stuck with the bill. The city’s coverage through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust carries a $5,000 deductible for the entire event—not per facility. Lost-revenue impacts (like partially closed suites during construction) are addressed through the policy; suite holders are being made whole. Translation: this rebuild is not a new tax burden.

“You never do anything”? The schedule says otherwise.
Despite the storm, the Sanford Center logged 30+ events, 50+ event days, and welcomed 15,000+ attendees since the disaster—not including shelter operations. The only miss: one summer hockey camp (relocated to the BCA). Weddings, statewide conferences (including the League of Minnesota Cities and Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities), and community events continued—sometimes with a crane on the roof, but with guests barely noticing inside.

Hockey on time—what to expect.

BSU hit the ice for practice right on schedule.

Early series target: full bowl, concourse, concessions open.

South-side suites took the brunt and return in phases; plan begins with ~50% capacity upstairs, moving to full as punch-list work finishes.

“Finished” means safe and usable; cosmetic detail may continue behind the scenes.

What’s next: facts over rumors.
A press briefing is set for this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. with updated timelines, suite logistics, and construction details—aimed at replacing speculation with facts. As Bobby puts it: tell the story, share the plan, and keep the community informed.

The human side.
Many staff had storm damage at home. Leadership prioritized people—giving employees time to handle their own emergencies—while still operating a shelter and an event venue. The message all summer: people first. Thank a worker, a volunteer, a public-health nurse, a city crew, a radio newsroom—everyone who kept Bemidji moving.

Upcoming highlights:
MercyMe, The Princess Bride screening (yes, inconceivable!), the Harlem Globetrotters, Rock & Roll Christmas, and the World Juniors—plus a packed arena slate with almost no free weekends through spring.

This is the story of a building that became a lifeline—and then got back to business. If you care about Bemidji’s recovery, hockey season, or the truth behind the rumors, this conversation with Bobby Anderson is your playbook.

🎧 Watch / listen now on Paskvan Podcasts & Mix 103.7.
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