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Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center facts for kids
| Former names | Charleston Civic Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Civic Center Drive |
| Location | Charleston, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°21′19″N 81°38′29″W / 38.35519°N 81.64152°W |
| Owner | City of Charleston |
| Type | Indoor arena, convention center, and theater |
| Seating type | Reserved seating |
| Capacity | In-the-Round: 13,500 End-Stage 180: 10,200 Civic Center Little Theater: 738 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1959 |
| Renovated | 1964, 1980, 2015 |
| Expanded | 1980, 2015 |
| Construction cost | $2.5 million ($25.1 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Website | |
| Charlestonwvciviccenter.com | |
The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center is a large building complex in Charleston, West Virginia. It used to be called the Charleston Civic Center. This complex opened in 1959 and cost $2.5 million to build. Since then, it has been updated and made bigger many times. Today, it has three main parts: the Civic Center Coliseum, the Little Theater, and the Charleston Convention Center (also known as the Grand Hall).
Contents
History of the Charleston Coliseum
The idea for a civic center in Charleston began in 1953. City voters agreed to use special money called general obligation bonds for its construction. The chosen spot was in downtown Charleston, near the Elk River.
When Did the Civic Center Open?
The original Civic Center opened its doors in January 1959. It featured a large arena with 6,000 seats. It also had a smaller "Little Theater" with 750 seats. The total cost to build it was $2.5 million.
First Big Changes: 1960s Expansion
The first major update happened in 1964. The arena got 2,400 more seats, making it even bigger. A paved parking lot was added for visitors. They also built an ice rink for skating events. This project cost $1.5 million and was paid for with special revenue bonds.
Major Renovation in the 1980s
The biggest changes started in 1976. City voters approved $10 million for a huge expansion. This money helped build a new coliseum with 13,000 seats. A two-story lobby was also added. This lobby connected the new coliseum to the old arena and theater. The original arena was then changed into a convention center. The project also received another $10 million from the government. All these updates were finished in 1980.
More Updates and Additions
In 1983, two parking garages were built. These garages could hold up to 1,300 cars. In 1994, the Grand Hall of the convention center got a fresh look. It received a new ceiling, paint, and lighting. The ice rink was changed into an exhibit hall in 2001. The Little Theater was also updated between 2004 and 2006. About $250,000 was spent to make it better.
Recent and Future Plans
In 2007, some people felt the Civic Center needed more improvements. In May 2015, city planners approved a big expansion and renovation. This project was expected to cost around $72 million. Construction started in September 2015. The goal was to finish by early 2018. The Civic Center stayed open while the work was being done.
Friends of Coal Partnership
The Charleston Civic Center's basketball court has a special logo. It features the name "Friends of Coal." This is part of a 10-year deal with the organization. The new court with this logo first appeared in the 2011-2012 basketball season.