Harrah's Cherokee Center facts for kids
| Former names | Asheville Civic Center Complex (1974–2011) U.S. Cellular Center Asheville (2011–2019) |
|---|---|
| Address | 87 Haywood St Asheville, NC 28801-2852 |
| Owner | City of Asheville |
| Capacity | 7,674 (ExploreAsheville.com Arena) 2,431 (Thomas Wolfe Auditorium) 500 (Banquet Hall) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 2, 1970 |
| Opened | June 22, 1974 |
| Architect |
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| Tenants | |
| Asheville Smoke (UHL) (1998–2002) Asheville Altitude (NBDL) (2001–2005) Asheville Aces (SPHL) (2004–2005) |
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The Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville is a large entertainment spot in Asheville, North Carolina. It was first called the Asheville Civic Center Complex, then the U.S. Cellular Center. This place opened in 1974. It has a big arena, an auditorium, a banquet hall, and rooms for meetings. Many different events happen here, from sports games to concerts.
Contents
Explore the Venues at the Center
The Harrah's Cherokee Center has three main areas for events. Each part is designed for different types of gatherings.
The ExploreAsheville.com Arena
This is the main and largest part of the center. It used to be known as the Asheville Civic Center Arena. It can hold up to 7,674 people. This arena is perfect for big sports games, concerts, and other large shows.
The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium is a special theater with a horseshoe shape. It was built a long time ago, in 1939, as part of a project called the Works Progress Administration. It opened in January 1940. The auditorium was updated in 1974 and reopened in December 1975. It can seat 2,431 guests. It's a great place for plays, musicals, and other performances.
The Banquet Hall
The Banquet Hall is a large room, like a ballroom. It can hold about 500 guests. This space is often used for parties, dinners, and other special events.
History of the Center
The idea for this center started in July 1968. The city leaders in Asheville wanted to build a new place for events. They hoped it would help bring more people and businesses back to the downtown area. The arena was the first of its kind in Asheville.
Sports Teams and Events
Over the years, the center has been home to several sports teams.
- The Asheville Altitude basketball team played here from 2001 to 2005. They were part of the NBDL.
- The Asheville Smoke hockey team from the United Hockey League also played here.
- The Asheville Aces hockey team from the SPHL used the arena too.
The center has also hosted many exciting sports tournaments. These include the Big South Conference men's basketball tournament in 1999 and 2000. It also hosted the Southern Conference men's basketball tournament from 1984 to 1995.
Other Notable Events
Many famous events have taken place at the center.
- In 2004, a concert called Vote for Change happened here, with bands like Pearl Jam.
- Many famous musicians have performed, including Elton John, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Toby Keith.
- Comedy shows with stars like Bill Cosby and Jerry Seinfeld have made people laugh.
- Family-friendly shows like Curious George, Sesame Street Live, and Yo Gabba Gabba! have entertained kids.
- Wrestling events from WWE and TNA Impact Wrestling have also been held here.
- In February 2018, the arena hosted a Fed Cup tennis match between the United States and the Netherlands, featuring tennis stars Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
- A movie called Masterminds was filmed here in 2014. The arena was made to look like an airport in Mexico for the movie.
Changes and Updates to the Center
Over time, the center has needed updates. Starting in 2010, improvements began to be made.
Renovations and Future Plans
People in Asheville have wanted to update or replace the old Civic Center for a long time. The city has spent money on basic repairs. They even planned a "living roof" for the building. There have been many ideas for the center's future. Some ideas included tearing it down and rebuilding in the same spot. Other ideas suggested building a new center in a different part of the city.
How the Center Got Its Name
The center's name has changed a few times over the years.
U.S. Cellular Center (2012-2019)
In November 2011, the Asheville City Council decided to name the building after U.S. Cellular, a phone company. This name change started on January 1, 2012. U.S. Cellular agreed to pay money to the city for the naming rights. This money helped pay for some of the renovations needed at the center.
Harrah's Cherokee Center (2020-Present)
On May 29, 2019, the city council approved a new naming deal with Harrah's Cherokee. This new name took effect in 2020.
