An ideal venue for concerts, family shows, sporting events, conferences, conventions, trade shows, corporate seminars and much more, the Kovalchick Complex is projected to have a $22 million economic impact on the region during construction and an annual economic impact of $12.5 million in each year of operation.

The complex is named in honor of the Kovalchick Family, of Indiana, PA, who donated $2 million for the facility's construction.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Kovalchick Complex took place November 13, 2008, and included an announcement of a challenge grant for $1 million for the facility from Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate Chad Hurley, co-founder of YouTube, in honor of Indiana University of Pennsylvania music professor and track and field coach Ed Fry.

Early events scheduled after the opening of the arena included the Harlem Globetrotters and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

[2] In addition to the Globetrotters and Circus, performances in the first months of operation included Waka Flocka Flame, Thirty Seconds to Mars with Anberlin, Widespread Panic, Steve Miller Band with Gregg Allman, Kenny Rogers, WWE Wrestling, Stone Temple Pilots, and comedians Rob Riggle and Steve Byrne.