Chicago businessman sees potential for Yuma arena, hockey team

Chicago businessman David Contis knows real estate and hockey and he's betting Yuma's proposed multipurpose events center would be a winning goal for both.

Contis is the principal member of an investment group that hopes to put up the winning bid for a Yuma hockey franchise that would be the major tenant for the multimillion-dollar arena proposed to be built north of Yuma Palms Regional Center.

The project is hanging in the balance, waiting for city residents going to the polls for the Nov. 4 general election to determine the arena's fate. A "yes" vote on Referendum 400 would give the city the authority to move forward with the project. A "no" vote would reject the project.

While voters are still weighing which way to cast their votes, Contis is convinced the arena makes dollars and cents.

He's had some personal experience with successful projects in Yuma that residents were initially skeptical of.

Contis previously was the chief executive officer of Macerich, a publicly traded retail real estate corporation that purchased mall developer Westcor while it was in the midst of developing Yuma Palms Regional Center.

During his involvement in the shopping center's development, he said during a recent phone interview, he was impressed by Yuma's viability.

"I did a lot of work for the developer. I was here a lot to oversee the project and I got to know the city and its officials."

As a "real estate guy," Contis said, he was impressed by the market and the demographics, not to mention the better-than-expected results of the shopping center.

"The major tenants far exceeded interest in coming to Yuma," he said. "Yuma looked good. Yuma Palms put Yuma back on the map as a viable retail base."

Despite the negativity on the street, Contis thinks the arena could do the same for recreation and entertainment venues. He would like to have a piece of that action.

"I know the community and I know the success of Yuma Palms. I expect the arena to be the same way. There would be a lot of activity ... cultural entertainment, sports, concerts, community events."

As a hockey fan, Contis owned an elite hockey camp in Canada and now his sons play. His time in the sport has connected him with numerous coaches and players, some of them known worldwide.

"I sold the hockey camp. Now I'm looking for the right opportunity."

It's not just to own a hockey team, though, he said. "I see it as a real estate opportunity. I'm interested that real estate around it be developed right. I would like to have some impact."

Contis brings to the table a degree in business finance, a law degree and 30 years in the real estate business for 30 years, currently as president of real estate for Chicago-based Equity Group Investment. He also served as trustee for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

However, Contis said, his interest in Yuma and a hockey franchise for the proposed arena "is a personal investment by me and a group of investors. Could we raise the money? I think we could even in this economic environment."

And of course, even if voters approve the city moving forward with the arena, Contis has no guarantee he would get the hockey franchise. "I have no right of first offer. It would just be one of the possibilities."

But he's hopeful. "We don't have to come to Yuma, but it has the characteristics that are interesting and compelling. Yuma is the place I want to be."

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.