Dunkin' Donuts Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dunkin' Donuts Center

"The Dunk"
Former names	Providence Civic Center (1972–2001)
Location	101 Sabin Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Coordinates	41°49′25″N 71°25′6″W / 41.82361°N 71.41833°W / 41.82361; -71.41833
Public transit	Providence Station
Owner	Rhode Island Convention Center Authority (2005–present) City of Providence (1972–2005)
Operator	SMG
Capacity	Concerts: 14,000 Basketball: 12,410 Ice hockey: 11,273
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground	January 1971
Opened	November 3, 1972
Renovated	2008
Construction cost	US$13 million US$80 million (renovation)
Architect	Ellerbe Associates
General contractor	Dimeo Construction Company
Tenants
Providence Bruins (AHL) (1992–present) Providence Friars (NCAA) (1972–present) Providence/Rhode Island Reds (AHL) (1972–1977) New England Tea Men (NASL) (1979–1980) New England Steamrollers (AFL) (1988)

The Dunkin' Donuts Center, often called The Dunk, is a large indoor arena in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It first opened in 1972 as the Providence Civic Center. It was built because many people wanted to see the Providence College men's basketball games. It also became the home for the Providence Reds hockey team. Today, it is home to the Providence Bruins hockey team and the Providence College men's basketball team. The Rhode Island Convention Center Authority manages The Dunk.

Building The Dunk

The idea for a big civic center in Providence started way back in 1958. People thought it would create jobs and help the local economy. However, the first plans did not work out because they could not get enough money from the government.

The idea came up again in 1968, but voters outside Providence said no. Finally, in 1969, Mayor Joseph A. Doorley Jr. pushed for a city-wide vote, and it passed! More money was needed, so another vote happened in 1971, which also passed. The project was so important to Mayor Doorley that people called it "Doorley's Dream."

History of The Dunk

The Providence Civic Center was built in 1972 where an old jewelry factory used to be. It officially opened on November 3, 1972, with a Providence Reds hockey game. In its first year, the center hosted concerts by famous bands like Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra. It also held hockey games and other big events, and everyone thought it was a great success.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Civic Center faced some challenges. It needed financial help from the city. To help bring more visitors, the Rhode Island Convention Center and a hotel were built next to it in 1993.

In 2001, the arena changed its name to the Dunkin' Donuts Center. This was part of a deal to get more money for the building. In 2005, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority bought the building. They spent $80 million on a big renovation project. This included a much larger lobby, a covered walkway to the Convention Center, and a new video screen. They also added a new restaurant, luxury suites, and new seats with cup holders. The building also got new heating and cooling systems. These improvements were finished in October 2008.

The Dunk During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, many sports games and concerts were canceled. Instead, the state used The Dunk for important health activities. It was used to put together COVID tests and as a walk-in testing clinic. It also hosted classes to teach local businesses how to do testing. In February 2021, The Dunk became a large COVID vaccination site.

Cool Events and Performances

Music Concerts

Many famous musicians and bands have performed at The Dunk over the years.

• The Grateful Dead recorded part of their live album Dick's Picks Volume 12 here in 1974.
• Queen played concerts here in 1977, 1978, and 1980.
• Pink Floyd performed here in 1973 for their The Dark Side of the Moon tour. They returned in 1987 for two sold-out shows.
• Former Beatle George Harrison held a concert here in 1974 during his "Dark Horse Tour."
• Some songs on the Eric Clapton album E. C. Was Here were recorded live at the Civic Center in 1975.
• Bob Dylan brought his Rolling Thunder Revue Tour here in 1975.
• The Who played here in 1975. In 1979, a concert by The Who was canceled due to safety concerns from a previous show in another city. 33 years later, in 2012, The Who returned and honored tickets from the canceled 1979 show!
• Elvis Presley performed three times at the arena between 1974 and 1977.
• Frank Sinatra performed 10 times at the arena. His first show was in 1974, and his last was in 1992.
• David Bowie's concert in 1978 was one of three recorded for his live album Stage.
• The Bee Gees performed two sold-out concerts in 1979.
• The Kinks recorded much of their live album and video, One for the Road, here in 1979.
• Kiss had two sold-out shows scheduled in 1979.
• The Jacksons performed here in 1981 during their Triumph Tour.
• The music video for Van Halen's song "Panama" was partly filmed during a soundcheck at the venue in 1984.
• The band Phish has performed at the venue eight times. Three of their concerts here have been released on CD.

Sports Events

Providence College Basketball

The Providence Friars men's basketball team has played almost all of its home games at The Dunk since 1972. The team and its fans have made The Dunk a very exciting place for college basketball games. Sometimes, the Providence Friars women's basketball team also plays big games here.

Other College Sports

2019 NCAA Hockey East Regional at The Dunk, Cornell University vs Providence College

The arena has hosted many college tournaments:

• The first Big East Conference men's basketball tournament in 1980.
• Many NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament games, including first and second rounds in 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1996, 2010, and 2016.
• NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament East Region finals in 1978 and 1985.
• The first Hockey East Tournament in 1985.
• NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey championships in 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1995, and 2000.

The University of Rhode Island men's basketball team also played some games here until 2002.

Professional Sports

• The Providence Reds hockey team played here from 1972 to 1977.
• The New England Tea Men soccer team played indoor matches here from 1979 to 1980.
• The Providence Bruins hockey team started playing here in 1992 and still do today.
• The New England Steamrollers arena football team played here in 1988.

The Dunk has also hosted other professional sports, like Harlem Globetrotters basketball games. The Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have played regular season and preseason games here too.

Other Fun Events

• The arena is a regular stop for WWE wrestling tours. It has hosted major events like King of the Ring tournaments, Royal Rumble in 1994, and WWF Backlash events.
• In 2018, a WWE Raw show held at The Dunk was where wrestler Roman Reigns shared his health news.
• Since 2015, the Rhode Island Comic Con has expanded into The Dunk from the nearby Convention Center.
• The arena was used by Hasbro to host its first-ever HasCon event in September 2017.

Images for kids

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  View of the center while empty, after renovations

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  The arena before Monster Jam, prior to renovations

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  Arena in hockey configuration, after renovations

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  Syracuse vs. Providence College men's basketball game in February 2010