Erie Insurance Arena facts for kids
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 Erie Insurance Arena
Location in Pennsylvania
Erie Insurance Arena
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Erie Civic Center (1983–2008) Louis J. Tullio Arena (2008–2012) |
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| Address | 809 French Street |
| Location | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 42°7′41″N 80°4′51″W / 42.12806°N 80.08083°W |
| Owner | Erie County Convention Center Authority |
| Operator | Erie County Convention Center Authority |
| Capacity | 6,716 (Hockey) 6,562 (Indoor football) 6,982 (Basketball) 9,360 (Concert) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 1981 |
| Opened | June 7, 1983 |
| Renovated | Dec 2011 – Sept 2013 |
| Construction cost | $9.3 million |
| Architect | Heidt, Evans & Salata (original) Sink Combs Dethlefs (renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Erie Golden Blades (ACHL) (1983–1987) Erie Panthers (ECHL) (1988–1996) Erie Wave (WBL) (1990–1992) Erie Otters (OHL) (1996–present) Erie Invaders (IFL) (2000) Erie Freeze (AIFL/AIFA) (2005–2007) Erie BayHawks (NBA D-League) (2008–2017) Erie Explosion (SIFL/UIFL/CIFL/PIFL) (2011–2015) Lake Erie Eagles (NCPHL/CPJHL) (2016–2018) Erie BayHawks (NBA G League) (2017–2019) Erie BayHawks (NBA G League) (2019–2021) |
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The Erie Insurance Arena is a cool indoor stadium in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. It's a place where lots of exciting things happen! It's the home ice for the Erie Otters hockey team, who play in the Ontario Hockey League. It used to be the home court for the Erie BayHawks basketball team too.
This arena was built in 1983 and is part of a bigger area called the Erie Civic Center Complex Plaza. This complex also includes the Warner Theatre and UPMC Park. The arena got its current name in 2012 when Erie Insurance Group bought the rights to name it. Before that, it was known as the Erie Civic Center and then the Louis J. Tullio Arena.
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History of the Erie Insurance Arena
The Erie Insurance Arena first opened its doors in June 1983. The very first event was a concert by the famous band, the Beach Boys! Since then, many other popular entertainers have performed there. You might know names like Elton John, Rod Stewart, Cher, and KISS.
The arena has also hosted fun family shows. These include Blippi, Disney on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. It's a place for everyone to enjoy!
Arena Name Changes and Big Renovations
In May 2012, the arena got its current name, "Erie Insurance Arena." This happened because the Erie Insurance Group made a deal to have the arena named after them for 10 years. This new name came just as a huge renovation project was finishing up.
The renovation cost $42 million and made the arena much more modern. It added new sections and a nicer entrance. The building grew from about 152,000 square feet to 218,000 square feet! This meant more seats for fans. The arena can now hold 6,833 people for hockey games, 6,754 for basketball, and about 9,000 for concerts.
The upgrades included bigger lobbies and more ticket windows. There are also fancy luxury suites and new locker rooms for teams. A special club level was added too. Most of the money for these improvements came from the state of Pennsylvania and Erie County.
New Scoreboards and Video Screens
In September 2014, the arena got another cool upgrade. They added a new high-definition video scoreboard in the center of the ice. This new scoreboard replaced an older one from 2006. They also put in large high-definition video panels on the east and west sides of the arena. These new screens make watching games and concerts even more exciting!
Exciting Sports Games Hosted
The Erie Insurance Arena has been the site of many thrilling high school and college basketball games. Two of the most memorable games were between rival schools: Cathedral Preparatory School and McDowell, and local colleges Gannon University and Mercyhurst University. Both of these games were completely sold out, with 5,500 fans cheering loudly!
Television Shows Filmed Here
The arena has also been a filming location for professional wrestling shows.
- The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) filmed their "WWF Superstars" and "WWF Wrestling Challenge" TV shows here from 1991 to 1995.
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW) taped their "WCW Thunder," "WCW Worldwide," and "WCW Saturday Night" shows from 1997 to 2000.
Major College Sports Tournaments
The Erie Insurance Arena has hosted important national college sports tournaments.
2011 NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Tournament
In 2011, the arena, working with Mercyhurst College, hosted the championship game for women's college ice hockey. The Wisconsin Badgers team won the title, beating the Boston University Terriers 4–1.
2014 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
In 2014, the arena, with Gannon University, hosted the championship game for NCAA Division II women's basketball. The Bentley Falcons team won, defeating the West Texas A&M Buffaloes with a score of 73–65.
Delicious Food and Drinks at the Arena
When you visit the Erie Insurance Arena, you can find all sorts of yummy food! They have classic stadium snacks like pizza and corn dogs. But they also offer some special local treats. You can try Greek hot dogs, Greek nachos, and pepperoni balls.
If you have floor seats for an event, there's a separate menu with even more choices. This includes things like shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip, and a steak burger on a pretzel bun. There are also chicken bacon sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and vegetable platters.
Gallery
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Louis J. Tullio Arena, 2008
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Erie Insurance Arena, 2015
See also
- Bayfront Convention Center
- Erie County Field House
