Duluth Entertainment Convention Center facts for kids
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(DECC)
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| Former names | Duluth Arena Auditorium (1966–2010) |
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| Address | 350 Harbor Drive Duluth, MN 55802 |
| Owner | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center |
| Operator | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center |
| Capacity | 5,333 |
| Surface | 190' x 85' (hockey) 210' x 85' (indoor football) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Construction cost | $6.5 million |
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Men's Hockey (1966–2010) Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Women's Hockey (1999–2010) Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks (IFL) (1999–2000) Duluth Harbor Monsters (TAL) (2024–present) |
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The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (often called the DECC) is a huge building complex in Duluth, Minnesota. It has many different parts, like an arena for sports and concerts, and a convention center for big meetings.
For many years, from 1966 to 2010, the DECC was the home ice for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's hockey team. You can find the DECC right on the waterfront, close to Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
Contents
Welcome to the DECC!
What is the DECC?
The DECC is a special place where many different events happen. It's a "multi-purpose complex," meaning it can be used for lots of things. You might go there for a hockey game, a concert, or a big meeting.
It's a very important spot in Duluth, bringing people together for fun and business. The entire complex is designed to host a wide variety of activities.
The DECC Arena: Home of Hockey and More
The main arena at the DECC is a busy place. It was originally known as the Duluth Arena Auditorium. This part of the complex has a large ice rink.
The rink is perfect for hockey games, measuring 190 feet by 85 feet. There are 5,333 seats for fans to watch the action.
A Look Back: Arena History
The DECC Arena was built a long time ago, opening in 1966. It cost about $6.5 million to build. Inside, there are six locker rooms for teams.
The locker rooms used by the Bulldog hockey teams were updated for $2 million. When there's no hockey, the rink area can change. It can host concerts, dinners, conventions, and shows.
Exciting Sports Events
The DECC Arena has seen many exciting sports moments. It hosted the top college men's hockey championships in 1968 and 1981. The arena also welcomed the women's college hockey championships, known as the NCAA Division I Frozen Four, in 2003 and 2008.
From 1999 to 2000, an indoor football team called the Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks played here. More recently, the Duluth Harbor Monsters indoor football team started playing at the DECC in 2024.
Symphony Hall: Music and Shows
Next to the arena is Symphony Hall. This is a large auditorium with 2,400 seats. It's a place for many different performances.
You can enjoy concerts, symphonies, plays, and operas here. High school and college graduation ceremonies also take place in Symphony Hall.
Pioneer Hall: Curling and More Ice Fun
Pioneer Hall was added to the DECC complex in 1976. It also has an ice rink, but with fewer seats. These seats are bleachers that can fold out.
Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club. It has eight curling rinks, which can expand to 13 for big events. This makes it the largest curling venue in the United States. The Duluth Curling Club is the second largest curling club in the country.
Pioneer Hall has hosted two World Championships for curling. It also held the US Olympic Trials and many other national curling events.
The Convention Center: Meetings and Big Events
The DECC also has a large convention center area. Paulucci Hall is a big space located under the main lobby. It was built with the original arena in 1966.
Paulucci Hall hosts many events like exhibits, expos, and social gatherings. It was originally called Exhibition Hall. In the mid-1990s, a new convention center was added. This expansion cost $30 million.
The new convention center has two large ballrooms: the Lake Superior Ballroom (26,000 square feet) and the Harborside Ballroom (12,000 square feet). It also has 25 smaller meeting rooms. These spaces are used for many social, business, and entertainment events.
AMSOIL Arena: The New Home for Hockey
In 2008, Minnesota approved $38 million to expand the DECC. This project included building a brand new arena. This new arena became the home for both the men's and women's UMD hockey teams.
The new arena has more seats than the old one. It can hold 6,600 people for hockey games and 8,500 for concerts. The expansion also added a new parking garage and more space for conventions.
Construction on the new arena started in September 2008. It officially opened on December 30, 2010. The first game was a UMD men's hockey game against the University of North Dakota. The new arena was named AMSOIL Arena.
