Berglund Center facts for kids
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| Former names | Roanoke Civic Center (1971-2014) |
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| Location | 710 Williamson Road Northeast Roanoke, VA 24016 |
| Owner | City of Roanoke |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Capacity | Basketball: 8,614 Ice hockey: 8,672 End stage: 10,500 Center stage: 10,600 Eclipse: 4,276 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1969 |
| Opened | October 3, 1971 |
| Renovated | 2007 (Performing Arts Center and Special Events Center addition) 2012–2016 (arena renovations) |
| Construction cost | $14 million ($101 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Smithey & Boynton Frantz & Chappelear Thompson & Payne |
| General contractor | Nello L. Teer Company |
| Tenants | |
| Virginia Tech Hokies Ice Hockey Roanoke Maroons Ice Hockey Radford Highlanders ice hockey Roanoke Valley Rebels (EHL/SHL) (1970–1976) Virginia Squires (ABA) (1971–1972) Roanoke Express (ECHL) (1993–2004) Roanoke Steam (af2) (2000–2002) Roanoke Dazzle (NBADL) (2001–2006) Roanoke Valley Vipers (UHL) (2005–2006) Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (SPHL) (2016–present) |
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The Berglund Center is a large building in Roanoke, Virginia. It has 10,500 seats and can be used for many different events. It was first called the Roanoke Civic Center when it opened in 1971.
This arena has been home to several sports teams. These include the Roanoke Dazzle basketball team and the Roanoke Express and Roanoke Valley Vipers ice hockey teams. Today, it is the home of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, a professional ice hockey team. College ice hockey teams from Virginia Tech, Radford University, and Roanoke College also play here. The Berglund Center also hosts the yearly basketball games between Roanoke's two high schools, Patrick Henry High School and William Fleming High School.
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History of the Berglund Center
The Roanoke Civic Center opened in October 1971. It was once home to the Virginia Squires, a professional basketball team. They played there for one season from 1971 to 1972. The team also played in other cities in Virginia.
Famous singer Elvis Presley performed at the center several times. He had concerts there in 1972, 1974, and 1976. He was scheduled to return in 1977, but he passed away shortly before the show.
Sports Tournaments and Events
The center has hosted many sports events. From 2001 to 2006, the Roanoke Dazzle basketball team played here. They were part of the NBA's D-League. College basketball tournaments have also taken place at the center. These include the Big South Conference men's basketball tournaments in 2001 and 2002. The Metro Conference men's basketball tournament was held here in 1991.
When the Dazzle and Vipers teams left in 2006, the arena had many open dates. Most of these dates were then used by the college hockey teams from Virginia Tech, Radford, and Roanoke College. In 2016, the Mississippi Surge ice hockey team moved to Roanoke and became the Rail Yard Dawgs.
What's Inside the Berglund Center
The Berglund Center is a top spot for sports and shows in the area. It has eight restrooms and six places to buy food and drinks. The arena ceiling is about 60-foot (18 m) high. It also has a stage that can be moved.
Arena Seating and Size
There are 8,372 permanent seats in the arena. The main floor is very large, measuring over 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2). The arena has been updated with a $6.2 million renovation project. This project included replacing the heating system. There were also plans to improve the electrical system and all entrances. All the seats in the arena were replaced too.
Other Areas of the Center
Next to the arena is an exhibit hall. It is about 14,396-square-foot (1,337.4 m2) in size. This hall has a large open space of 10,000 square feet (930 m2) without any columns.
There is also a theatre with 2,440 seats. This theatre is used for concerts, Broadway shows, and performances by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. It has a stage that is 55-foot (17 m) by 105 feet. After recent updates, this part of the building is now called the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre.
In 2007, a special events center was added. It is about 46,000-square-foot (4,300 m2) and is used for trade shows, meetings, and other events. It can hold up to 3,066 people sitting down or 5,850 people standing. The ceiling in this area is 32 feet high.
Professional Sports Teams That Played Here
- Virginia Squires, American Basketball Association (1971–1976)
- Roanoke Express, East Coast Hockey League (1993–2004)
- Roanoke Steam, AF2 (2000–2002)
- Roanoke Dazzle, NBA G League (2001–2006)
- Roanoke Valley Vipers, United Hockey League (2005–2006)
- Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, Southern Professional Hockey League (2016–present)
| Preceded by Hampton Coliseum |
Home of the Virginia Squires 1971 – 1976 |
Succeeded by last arena |
