Come June 1, 2009, the Chevy Centre will have a new name – The Covelli Centre – thanks to a the naming rights contract accepted by the centre from Covelli Enterprises – a three year deal for $120,000 annually. Sam Covelli, president and chief executive officer for Covelli Enterprises is best known by those in the Valley as the man who brought Panera Bread and O’Charley restaurants to the area. GM’s financial hardships resulted in their not renewing the naming contract with the centre, so a new sponsor was needed, and Covelli won the honor.
Think only venues in big name cities can attract top-rated performers? Not likely! Y-Town has created a name for itself thanks to the 42 million dollar Chevrolet Centre located on East Front Street in downtown Youngstown. The brainchild of the still incarcerated and forever controversial James Traficant, the Chevy Centre has lived up to the former US State Representative’s promise of bringing big name acts to Youngstown’s downtown. If you build it, they will come. 
Everyone from Sesame Street Live to rock legend Meat Loaf have performer here. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has returned several years in a row because of the success they have filling the arena to overflowing. Carrie Underwood brought her show (which was sold out in less than 48 hours) to Youngstown as did Smucker’s Hot Ice, Cool Sounds with Peter Cetera and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
With the ability to seat more than 6000 people (with 520 Club Seats and 26 Luxury Suites), the Chevy Centre is also the home to major sporting events including Phantom ice hockey and Mahoning Valley Thunder arena football games.
The Chevy Centre is not afraid to get messy either. When motocross races come to town, more than 550 cubic feet of dirt is laid down. The Center has been host to tractor pulls, rodeos and the circus too.
Talk about cool! Consider these facts found on the Chevrolet Centre’s website,
