CU Events Center facts for kids
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"The CEC"
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Against Oregon in January 2020
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 CU Events Center
Location in Colorado
CU Events Center
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Coors Events Center (2008-18); Coors Events/Conference Center (1990-2008); CU Events/Conference Center (1979–1990) |
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| Location | 950 Regent Drive Boulder, Colorado, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°00′17″N 105°15′38″W / 40.0047°N 105.2606°W |
| Owner | University of Colorado |
| Operator | University of Colorado |
| Capacity | 11,064 |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 1977 |
| Opened | November 8, 1979 45 years ago |
| Construction cost | $7,579,756 ($30.6 million in 2022 ) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs |
| Structural engineer | John A. Martin & Associates |
| Tenants | |
| Colorado Buffaloes (Basketball & Volleyball) | |
The CU Events Center is a large sports arena with 11,064 seats. It is located in Boulder, Colorado, at the University of Colorado. It opened in 1979.
This arena is the home court for the Colorado Buffaloes men's and women's basketball teams. The women's volleyball team also plays here. They are all part of the Pac-12 Conference.
The building has eight sides and is made of concrete. It has three main levels: the playing area, a service level, and a concourse where fans walk. Inside, it has one main seating area. It took the place of Balch Fieldhouse. Balch Fieldhouse is now used for indoor track and field. It's right next to Folsom Field. The arena is very high up! It's about 5,370 feet (1,637 meters) above sea level.
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History of the CU Events Center
When it first opened, the arena was called the CU Events/Conference Center. In September 1990, its name changed to the Coors Events/Conference Center. This was because the Coors family gave a large gift of $5 million to the university.
In 2008, the word "Conference" was removed from the name. This happened because the basketball offices moved into the building. There were no longer conference rooms inside. Even though the agreement with the Coors family had ended, the name "Coors" stayed until 2018. Then, it was renamed the CU Events Center. The university's sports department said they were looking for a new company to name the building after.
The CU Events Center is the highest indoor arena in the Pac-12 Conference. It is about 600 feet (183 meters) higher than the Jon M. Huntsman Center at Utah. It is also one of only two major college basketball arenas that use special goals that can be pulled up into the roof. The other arena with this type of basket is Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University.
Improvements to the Arena
The CU Events Center has had many big changes since it opened. Most of these improvements have happened since 2008.
New Floor and Offices
After the 2007-08 basketball seasons, the arena got a $200,000 "Floor Lift." A new, permanent maple wood floor was put in. This new floor has special technology to help reduce injuries and tiredness for players.
In April 2008, the offices for the men's and women's basketball teams moved. They moved into the CU Events Center from Folsom Field. These new offices are where the conference rooms used to be.
Video Boards and Production Facility
In the summer of 2010, two new video boards were added. They were placed in the southwest and northeast corners of the arena. Along with these new boards, a modern production facility was built. This facility is for the university's award-winning BuffVision office. This production room controls the video boards at both the CU Events Center and Folsom Field.
Practice Facility and Other Upgrades
A large new practice facility opened in August 2011. It is 44,000 square feet (4,088 square meters) in size. This facility is used by both the volleyball and basketball teams. It was one of the first sports buildings in the country to earn LEED Platinum Certification. This is the highest award for environmentally friendly buildings. It shows the building was designed to be very green and energy-efficient.
In August 2013, a video room was opened for the basketball teams. This room gives the teams extra space to meet. It also helps them watch game films more easily.
In February 2014, a new weight room was finished. It is located on the second level of the arena. This space is next to the basketball offices that moved there in 2008.
