Fort Worth breaks ground on new Dickies Arena

FORT WORTH, Texas - The city of Fort Worth broke ground Tuesday on its new 14,000-seat arena and announced a corporate sponsor -- Dickies.

The Dickies Arena will be a multipurpose facility near the Will Rogers Memorial Center. It's being constructed as part of a $450 million public-private partnership.

The space will be able to host concerts and sporting events. The facility has already landed a big draw -- the NCAA announced Tuesday the new venue would host men's first and second round basketball tournament games in 2022. It will also be the new home for performances during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

“The citizens of Fort Worth should really be excited about this. I think they’ll go down Montgomery down Trail Drive and they’ll watch the process coming up. The garages are well underway and it’s beautiful. And they’re going to really be pleased when they come see the arena,” Mayor Betsy Price said.

Dickies Chairman and CEO Phillip Williamson said the company is proud to be associated with the project. Dickies opened in Fort Worth in 1922. Today the work wear can be found in more than 100 countries but the headquarters is still in same building just south of downtown Fort Worth. 

"We're not over the top. We're practical, buttoned up and & hardworking... just like Fort Worth," he said.

The project should wrap up towards the end of 2019, just in time for the 2020 stock show.

LINK: www.FWarena.com