Great Plains Manufacturing, which has plants at Ellsworth, Lucas and other north-central Kansas communities, will become part of Salina’s former Bicentennial Center.

Spectra, the provider of venue management now known as Tony’s Pizza Events Center, and the City of Salina, has announced the renaming of Heritage Hall within the center to Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall.

The renaming is part of a new 10-year, $500,000 agreement with the long-time local Salina business, Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of internationally recognized brand Kubota.

The partnership agreement and name change took effect Jan. 1with all-new facility branding to be in place by June 2020.

The hall is approximately 18,000 square feet and is used as a multi-purpose room within the facility to host conventions, private events, and meetings.

“We’re grateful to be partnering with Great Plains Manufacturing, a brand that, for the last 40 years, has continued to invest in Salina’s culture and promote job growth in Central Kansas,” said Spectra’s Susan Trafton, the center’s general manager.

“The long-term commitment that Great Plains Manufacturing is making to our community will allow us to make some muchneeded updates to the space formerly known as Heritage Hall. The renovations will allow us to continue to attract new convention tourism business to Salina,.

“We’re creating great experiences in Salina, and we’re excited to work with the people from Great Plains Manufacturing to further enhance these experiences.”

Linda Salem, president and CEO of Great Plains, said her company is “committed to supporting local initiatives and investing in our community. This partnership is just another way for us to give back.”

Tony’s Pizza Events Center opened on July 1, 1979. The $6.5 million facility obtained its bonds in 1976, hence the original name, the Bicentennial Center. The center contains a 7,500 seat multi-purpose arena and Heritage Hall, a 25,000 square foot convention and exhibition facility. Heritage Hall underwent a $2 million renovation in 2010. Then from 2013-2016, the center completed a $13.1 million renovation.