Marshall Health Network Arena facts for kids
The arena in 2021
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| Former names | Huntington Civic Center (1977–1993) Huntington Civic Arena (1993–2003) Big Sandy Superstore Arena (2003–2019) Mountain Health Arena (2019–2024) |
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| Location | One Civic Center Plaza Huntington, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°25′20″N 82°26′49″W / 38.4223°N 82.4470°W |
| Owner | City of Huntington |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Capacity | 7,500 (arena) 5,600 (indoor football) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1977 |
| Construction cost | $10.5 million ($50.7 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Tenants | |
| Huntington Blizzard (ECHL) (1993–2000) River Cities LocoMotives (NIFL) (2001) Huntington Heroes (AIFA) (2007–2008) Huntington Hammer (UIFL) (2011) |
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The Marshall Health Network Arena is a large building in downtown Huntington, West Virginia. It is a place where many different events happen. These events include concerts, sports games, and even Marshall University graduation ceremonies.
The arena has 7,500 seats for visitors. It also has a conference center attached to it. Over the years, this building has had a few different names. It was first known as the Huntington Civic Center.
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History of the Huntington Arena
The arena first opened in 1977. It was called the Huntington Civic Center back then. Building it cost about $10.5 million. When it first opened, it was the biggest arena in West Virginia.
Why Marshall University Didn't Use It
At first, Marshall University's basketball teams did not play here. The city thought the arena might not be big enough for them. Also, the arena was built in a spot Marshall University did not like. Its design was not ideal for sports games.
So, Marshall University kept using an older building. Later, in 1981, they built their own arena on campus. This new arena was called the Cam Henderson Center.
Early Success and Challenges
When it first opened, the Huntington Civic Center was very popular. However, a bigger arena was built nearby in Charleston. Also, a new shopping area called Pullman Square took a long time to build. These things made the arena lose money for the city.
Because of this, the city decided to let a private company manage the building. This helped the arena stay open and host more events.
Sports Teams at the Arena
From 1993 to 2000, the arena was home to a hockey team. This team was called the Huntington Blizzard. They were part of the ECHL league. During this time, the arena was changed to be better for hockey and other team sports.
Later, other teams played there too. The River Cities LocoMotives played indoor football in 2001. The Huntington Heroes also played indoor football from 2007 to 2008. In 2011, the Huntington Hammer team played here as well.
How the Arena's Name Changed
The arena's name has changed several times. Companies sometimes pay money to have a building named after them. This is called "naming rights."
- From 1977 to 1993, it was the Huntington Civic Center.
- From 1993 to 2003, it was called the Huntington Civic Arena.
- In 2003, a furniture store chain bought the naming rights. It became the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
- In 2019, a healthcare company bought the rights. It was then called the Mountain Health Arena.
- In 2024, the healthcare company changed its name. So, the arena's name changed again to the Marshall Health Network Arena.
Today, a company called ASM Global manages the arena.
Arena Renovations and Upgrades
The arena has been updated many times since it first opened. These changes help keep it modern and useful.
Early Renovations
In 1997, $3.5 million was set aside for repairs. Work on these repairs started in 2000. The building was 20 years old and needed many updates. The inside and outside were repainted. The roof, which had leaks, was also fixed.
The area for conferences was made bigger. The kitchen facilities were also improved. These changes made the arena better for different kinds of events.
Seating and Floor Updates
In late 2011, the arena closed for four months. During this time, all the seats were replaced. This made the arena more comfortable for visitors.
In 2012, the arena bought a basketball floor. This floor came from the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse, which was being torn down. The floor had been used by Marshall University's basketball team before. It still had their old team logos on it.
Modern Venue Transformation
The arena had a big renovation that finished in summer 2021. This project made the space very modern. It is now even better for conventions, concerts, and community events.
A new plaza was also added outside. This plaza has a covered stage for outdoor shows. It also has a peaceful garden, an interactive fountain, and a firepit. This outdoor space is now a lively spot for people to gather.
Images for kids
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Exterior as Big Sandy Superstore Arena in 2013
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Exterior renovations in 2021
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The building in 2023
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Interior in 2019
