Burton Coliseum facts for kids
Burton Complex
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| Location | 7001 Gulf Highway Common Street Lake Charles, Louisiana 70607 |
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| Coordinates | 30°08′13″N 93°12′41″W / 30.136989°N 93.211476°W |
| Owner | Calcasieu Parish Police Jury |
| Operator | McNeese State University |
| Capacity | 8,500 |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1976 |
| Opened | 1977 |
| Tenants | |
| McNeese State Cowboys basketball McNeese State Cowgirls basketball |
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The Burton Coliseum is a large building in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was built in 1976. This arena has a cool domed roof. It stands 105 feet tall from the floor to the top. The Coliseum and other buildings nearby are called the Burton Complex. They are used for many different things.
From 1986 to 2018, the Coliseum was home to the McNeese State Cowboys and Cowgirls basketball teams. The Coliseum can hold up to 8,500 people. This includes 6,500 permanent seats. Another 2,000 seats can be added when needed.
What Happens at Burton Coliseum?
Since 2014, the Burton Coliseum has hosted big basketball games. It holds the semifinals and finals for the Louisiana High School Athletic Association's boys basketball state tournaments.
Many other events also take place here. You can see exciting rodeos and horse riding shows. There are also concerts, trade shows, and big meetings called conventions. Festivals and Mardi Gras Balls are held here too. The Complex is busy almost every day, hosting events about 314 days a year!
Exploring the Burton Complex
The Burton Coliseum is just one part of a larger area. This area is called the Burton Complex. It covers 50 acres and has several buildings.
Here are the main buildings in the Complex:
- Burton Coliseum – This is the main arena we just talked about.
- The Chalkey Room – This is a special room inside the Coliseum. It's used for banquets and parties.
- Burton Event Barn – This is a very large building, about 160,000 square feet. It's used for many different events. These include livestock shows, flea markets, and car shows.
- Burton Arena – This building is 50,000 square feet. It's mainly used for horse events and rodeos.
- RV Park – This area has 275 spots for RVs. It provides all the hookups like water and electricity.
The whole complex hosts about 200 events each year. These events include educational programs, western-themed shows, and sports competitions. High school tournaments, flea markets, and livestock shows are also popular.
A Helping Hand for the Complex
A man named Conway LeBleu helped the Burton Coliseum a lot. He was a State Representative. In 2014, he was honored for his work. This happened after he passed away, which is called being honored posthumously.
He was recognized by the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo. This is because he helped get money to keep the Burton Coliseum open. Without his efforts, the building might have closed. His support kept the Coliseum in use for many years. Later, a local tax was passed to help with maintenance. Conway LeBleu also supported the livestock show and rodeo by giving prize money and awards.
