Change of scenery

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - This weekend monster trucks return to the Glass City.

It's called Monster Jam, it's a place where the big road warrior monster trucks will be smashing cars, vans and anything that gets in the way.

But first, the arena staff needs to transform the venue.

The work started literally on Sunday night after the Walleye finished their home game against the Charlotte Checkers.

The arena staff have done a really nice job booking events when the Walleye aren't playing. In recent weeks we've seen REO Speedwagon, .38 Special and Styx, Rascall Flats and Darius Rucker play at the arena. In April Tyler Perry brings his character Madea, while Carrie Underwood and Sir Elton John perform on back-to-back nights April 24-25.

Less than 48 hours after Charlotte snuck out with a 2-1 win over the fish, crews have already dropped off some of the cars and vans that will be part of this weekend's Monster Jam.

Inside the arena crew doesn't actually take out the ice. Instead, they just put a floor cover over it so you can drive on it.

Tom Staudt, who manages the arena crew, is working round the clock to get the arena ready for the monster trucks. They hauled plywood Tuesday that will eventually go on top of the floor.

"The ice floor, we covered the ice yesterday," Staudt said. "Today we're bringing in plywood out from back in storage. We'll completely cover the floor in plastic, put plywood over that, and then dump the dirt on top of that for the Monster Jam."

"We've only melted the ice for one event since the arena opened up, and that was for the circus," Staudt added. "Every other concert we've had so far, the ice underneath stays with whatever is going on."

Stadt and his crew will haul the dirt in on Thursday, and then be ready to go when the doors open Friday night.

The first Monster Jam is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday. There are two shows Saturday, and one Sunday afternoon.