By Allison Peck
A major donation and matching opportunity are helping move a long-needed upgrade forward at the D & N Event Center in North Platte.
The Schmidt Foundation has donated $20,000 to support the facility, while an additional $10,000 matching opportunity is also in place to encourage community contributions for North Platte Giving Day.
The funds will go toward new bleachers, replacing outdated seating that has been in use for decades. Organizers say the upgrade will significantly improve both safety and comfort for visitors attending events at the venue.
According to project details , the need for updated seating has become increasingly clear as the event center continues to host large-scale events. In March alone, the facility welcomed roughly 26,000 visitors, including major events like wrestling tournaments, fights, and statewide competitions that brought thousands of spectators through the doors.
In some cases, temporary or borrowed bleachers have been used to accommodate crowds, while other events have required attendees to stand for long periods due to limited seating. Facility leaders say new retractable, portable bleachers would allow for more flexible layouts, better visibility, and the ability to host even larger events.
The improvement is also expected to have an economic impact, drawing more visitors to North Platte for tournaments, conferences, and entertainment events that support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
As a nonprofit, the D & N Event Center emphasizes affordability, particularly for youth sports programs that serve more than 2,000 participants each year. Leaders say maintaining accessible pricing while upgrading facilities depends heavily on community support and fundraising efforts like Giving Day.
The total cost of the bleacher project is estimated between $80,000 and $100,000, with fundraising efforts ongoing to meet that goal.