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Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center facts for kids
| Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center | |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Civic Center Dr Charleston, West Virginia 25301-2016 |
| Coordinates | 38°21′19″N 81°38′29″W / 38.35519°N 81.64152°W |
| Owner | City of Charleston |
| Operator | OVG Facilities |
| Opened | November 11, 1958 |
| Renovated |
|
| Expanded |
|
|
Construction cost
|
$2.5 million ($26 million in 2022 dollars ) |
|
Former names
|
Charleston Civic Center (1958–2018) |
| Banquet/ballroom | 1,100 (Grand Ballroom) |
|
Theatre seating
|
11,519 (Coliseum) 3,483 (Auditorium) 738 (Theater) |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 50,104 sq ft (4,654.8 m2) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 24,819 sq ft (2,305.8 m2) |
| • Ballroom | 49,043 sq ft (4,556.2 m2) |
| Parking | 2,000 |
The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center is a large building complex. It is located in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, United States. It was first finished in 1958.
This big center has four main parts. These are the Coliseum, the Theater, the Auditorium, and the Convention Center. The Convention Center is also called the Grand Hall.
Contents
History of the Charleston Center
Building the Original Civic Center
In 1953, people in Charleston voted to approve money for a new building. This building would be a civic center in the city's downtown area. It was built near the Elk River.
The first Civic Center opened in November 1958. It cost $2.5 million to build. It had an arena with 6,000 seats. There was also a smaller "Little Theater" with 750 seats.
Early Expansions and Upgrades
The complex was first updated and made bigger in 1964. They added 2,400 more seats to the arena. A paved parking lot and an ice rink were also built. This project cost $1.5 million.
A very important expansion started in 1976. City voters approved $10 million for this project. The plan was to build a new coliseum with 13,000 seats. They also planned a two-story lobby to connect the new coliseum. The original arena was changed into a convention center. This big project was completed in 1980.
Adding Parking and Modernizing Spaces
In 1983, two parking garages were added. These garages could hold up to 1,300 cars. In 1994, the Grand Hall of the convention center got new paint, lighting, and a new ceiling. The ice rink was also changed into an exhibit hall in 2001.
The Little Theater was renovated between 2004 and 2006. About $250,000 was spent to make it new again.
Recent Major Renovation
In May 2015, the city approved a big plan to expand and renovate the center. This project was expected to cost around $72 million. Construction began in September 2015. The work was finished in early 2018. The Civic Center stayed open while construction happened.
The Charleston Coliseum: A Hub for Events
The Charleston Coliseum is a large arena in Charleston, West Virginia. It is known as one of the best places for entertainment in the state. Many big concerts, sports games, and trade shows happen here.
The Coliseum can seat up to 13,500 people. It has over 30,500 square feet of space for events. This makes it very flexible for different kinds of gatherings. The Coliseum also has modern features to make everyone comfortable.
The basketball court in the Coliseum has a special logo. It features the "Friends of Coal" group. This was part of a 10-year agreement that started in the 2011-12 season.
Exciting Events at the Center
The complex hosts many annual events and fairs.
- The Annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show
- The West Virginia International Auto Show
- The West Virginia Sports Show
- The Taste of Charleston
- The Capital City Art & Craft Show
Many local high schools hold their proms and graduation ceremonies here. The Civic Center also hosts show choir festivals, including the state competition.
Sports and Music
The Coliseum is home to important basketball tournaments. It hosts the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals of the West Virginia State High School Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments. It also hosts music concerts and professional wrestling events.
In the past, it hosted basketball games between West Virginia University and Marshall University. West Virginia State University held its graduation ceremonies in the Coliseum until 2013.
Recently, the Coliseum has brought many famous music artists to the city. Bands like Judas Priest, Jelly Roll, Motionless In White, and Heart have performed there.
Other Performances and Gatherings
The Charleston Light Opera Guild performs in the Little Theater throughout the year.
On August 9, 2025, Senator Bernie Sanders spoke at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. About 3,000 people attended his public speaking event in the Grand Ballroom.