Thousands Show Up for a Quick Peek, Others Get to Dine at Arena

Civic boosters called it the start of downtown’s coming economic boom, city leaders cut a massive ribbon and local clergy blessed it as the ultimate gathering place in a diverse, world class city.

But in the end Saturday, it was tens of thousands of Los Angeles sports fans who spoke loudest during a special opening day ceremony at the $400-million Staples Center.

“It’s about time we had something new,” said Kings fan Shelley Perona, who visited the arena at a daylong open house. “Just look at it. I think the builders really care about what the fans think. It’s a lot more inviting than the Forum.”

Arena officials estimated the crowd of visitors at 65,000.

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who skipped his usual pilgrimage to Notre Dame for the Irish-USC football game to attend the event, introduced an array of religious leaders who said they hoped the center would be a great cultural melting pot and an engine of employment.

An army of politicians then offered their own words.

“Thank you for helping us take this giant step in building the great new Los Angeles,” said Mayor Richard Riordan.

A block beyond the glass-paneled box office, thousands of sports fans gathered in a twisting queue for their first arena tour, which ended too soon for some.

Many said they had arrived between 5 and 6 a.m. because they were rattled by the morning’s earthquake and could not fall back asleep.

Valerie Noriega, 41, was the first in line Saturday, and guarded her spot against line cutters. She said she had waited nearly four hours before she and her husband were ushered through the front doors.

“I just want to get my eyes in there,” said the Los Angeles resident. “I also think it’s going to bring back our morale.”

But if Noriega and the hundreds of other fans hoped to sneak a peek at the leather-seated luxury sky-boxes or the cherry-paneled Arena Club, or even the tiles of the locker room showers, they were sadly disappointed.

Noriega and others said they were shocked to learn that their tour would consist of a walk through the ticket turnstiles and into the main arena chamber, then back outside to make room for the next group.

“I thought the tour sucked,” said a frustrated Ofelia Garcia as she exited the arena. “We just walked in and zoop! It was over. I wanted to see those little sky-boxes. I can’t afford to see them any other way.”

The 160 well-appointed luxury suites--each of which features four television sets, marble wet bars and plush seats--cost between $197,000 and $307,000 per season.

As Garcia lamented the quickness of her tour, two members of the exclusive Jonathan Club attempted to talk their way into a peek at their own luxury suite. They too were turned away. “Not today,” an organizer told them. “The suites are being stocked now.”

Still, there were plenty of other fans who said the brief peek was well worth the wait.

“I love it,” said Laker fan Victor Arias, 30, as he ogled a sea of purple seats and glittering game boards inside the arena. “It feels good, like going to interview for a new job.”

Richard Flores, who donned his favorite Kings jersey for the occasion, agreed.

“It smelled like a new car,” said the 31-year-old El Sereno resident. “It’s very impressive. It goes way beyond what I anticipated.”

Like a number of other season ticket holders, Flores said he and his wife, Nancy, were excited to see how close they would be sitting to the ice. “It’s a lot closer than where we sit at the Forum.”

Staples Center spokesman Michael Roth said that two-thirds of the arena’s seats are in the “lower bowl” close to the action.

Just as the last of the daytime visitors were leaving by foot to outlying parking lots, the night crowd began arriving, luxury cars jamming the valet parking zone.

At the inaugural gala, the black-tie crowd of about 800 was largely a who’s who of corporate and political leaders.

“I see my whole 401(k) account in here,” joked television personality Bob Saget, who gave an opening monologue.

Tables for 10 sold for $10,000 to $25,000 each, raising $850,000 for the Staples Center Foundation, which supports youth programs in the downtown area.

As men in tuxedos and women in gowns walked through the bleachers to their tables on the arena floor, giant screens showed great moments in hockey.

“This place is awesome,” said Fox sportscaster Terry Bradshaw. “It is too nice. If you drop something, they will probably pick it up for you.”

The evening opened with a rendition of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Table souvenirs included boxed Cross pens. Laker Coach Phil Jackson led members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the National Anthem. Diners were served filet mignon and asparagus.

Cardinal Mahony once again blessed the center--and threw out the first bag of peanuts to Dodger Eric Young.