Mayo Civic Center facts for kids
The Mayo Civic Center is a big building in Rochester, Minnesota, where lots of exciting events happen! It's a place where people gather for concerts, sports, and important meetings. Long ago, it was even home to the Rochester Mustangs ice hockey team and professional basketball teams.
Did you know it was also a filming spot for the music video of "Wanted Dead or Alive" by the band Bon Jovi? Right next to the center, you'll find Mayo Park and the Rochester Art Center, which are also fun places to visit.
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A Look Back: The Center's Story
The first part of the Mayo Civic Center was built way back in 1938. It was a special gift to the city from Dr. Charles H. Mayo and the Mayo Properties Association, which is now known as the Mayo Clinic.
Over the years, the center has grown and changed a lot! It has many different areas for all sorts of activities:
- A large ballroom for big parties and conferences.
- An arena with about 5,200 seats, perfect for concerts, wrestling, and basketball games.
- An auditorium that can hold 3,000 people for concerts and shows.
- An exhibit hall for big shows where companies display their products.
- A theatre with 1,084 seats for plays and performances.
The Mayo Civic Center also has 23 smaller rooms for meetings.
Growing Bigger: The 2017 Expansion
In 2017, the Mayo Civic Center got much bigger! It almost doubled in size by adding a new convention center area. This expansion cost $84 million and brought many new features.
The new part includes another huge ballroom, which can be divided into three smaller sections. It also added 16 more meeting rooms and two special executive boardrooms. This expansion helps the center host even larger events, like big medical conferences and important business meetings.
Mayo Clinic's Special Place
The Mayo Civic Center is a very important spot for the Mayo Clinic. It's often used for their meetings and events. Doctors and researchers come here for lectures and company gatherings, sharing new ideas and discoveries.
Fun Events and Entertainment
The Mayo Civic Center has hosted many exciting events over the years, from thrilling sports to amazing concerts and shows!
Wrestling Excitement
Many professional wrestling events have taken place here. Big wrestling companies like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have brought their exciting live shows to the center. Fans have enjoyed watching their favorite wrestlers compete right here in Rochester.
Shows, Music, and Sports
The center is a hub for all kinds of entertainment. Families have enjoyed shows like Disney Live, Elmo Live, and the unique Blue Man Group. The famous Harlem Globetrotters have also shown off their incredible basketball skills here.
Many popular music artists have performed at the arena, including KISS, Chris Young, Little Big Town, Sheryl Crow, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Bob Dylan, Hinder, Celtic Woman, and Disturbed.
The Mayo Civic Auditorium is a great place for performing arts. Shows like "The Chocolate Factory" and the 1940s Big Band Swing Revue "In the Mood" have entertained audiences. Broadway shows, such as Rent, have also graced its stage. Every two years, the University of Minnesota Marching Band performs its indoor concert at the venue.
Big Sports Tournaments
The center also hosts major sports competitions. It annually welcomes the NYWA Youth Wrestling State Championships, which is one of the largest wrestling tournaments in the United States. It also hosted the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship in both 2001 and 2002.
