Peoria Civic Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peoria Civic Center
Peoria Civic Center
Location	United States
Coordinates	40°41′31″N 89°35′39″W / 40.6920°N 89.5943°W / 40.6920; -89.5943
Operator	ASM GLobal
Built	April 30, 1979 (1979-04-30) – 1982
Inaugurated	June 6, 1982 (1982-06-06)
Renovated	1992
Expanded	2007
Construction cost	$64.2 million ($259 million in 2022 dollars ) $55 million (2007 renovations) ($82.4 million in 2022 dollars )
Banquet/ballroom	6,500 (Peoria Civic Center Ballroom) 300 (Lexus Club)
Theatre seating	2,244
Enclosed space
• Exhibit hall floor	108,668 square feet (10,095.6 m2)
• Breakout/meeting	17,355 square feet (1,612.3 m2)
• Ballroom	28,667 square feet (2,663.3 m2)

The Peoria Civic Center is a large building in downtown Peoria, Illinois. It's a special place where many different events happen. These events include concerts, sports games, and big shows. A very famous architect named Philip Johnson helped design this center.

The Civic Center has an arena for sports, a theater for performances, an exhibit hall for displays, and many meeting rooms. It first opened its doors in 1982. Later, in 2007, it got bigger with new lobby and meeting areas. Outside the Civic Center, you can see a huge sculpture called "Sonar Tide." This was the last and biggest artwork by Ronald Bladen, who was a pioneer in abstract art.

History of the Civic Center

The land where the Civic Center now stands has a long history. From 1836 to 1862, a couple named Moses and Lucy Pettengill lived there. Their house was part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. Moses Pettengill was known as an "Underground Railroad conductor," meaning he helped guide people to safety.

In 1862, the Pettengills moved to a different part of town. Their old house was torn down in 1910 to make way for a hotel called the Jefferson Hotel. Many years later, in 1978, the Jefferson Hotel was also taken down to build the Peoria Civic Center.

The very first event held at the Civic Center was a home and garden show. This event took place in the Exhibit Hall in February 1982, even before the whole center was officially opened.

What's Inside: Facilities

The Peoria Civic Center has several main areas for different kinds of events.

Carver Arena: Sports and Concerts

Carver Arena is the largest part of the Civic Center. It's a big space that can hold many people. For ice hockey and indoor football games, it can seat about 9,919 fans. For basketball games, it holds even more, about 11,433 people. When it's set up for concerts, up to 12,036 people can come and enjoy the show!

Many exciting events have happened at Carver Arena. It has hosted concerts by famous artists like Eagles, Elton John, and Blake Shelton. You can also see fun family shows like Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. Sports teams like the Bradley Braves play their home games here.

In 2019, Bob Seger had the concert that earned the most money ever at the arena. Before that, an Elton John concert in 2011 held the record. Also in 2019, Blake Shelton became the top-selling country music performer at the venue.

From 1996 to 2019, Carver Arena was the home of the Illinois High School Association boys' basketball state finals. This was a big event every March. During these tournaments, there was also a fun "March Madness Experience" in the nearby exhibition hall.

The Theater: Shows and Performances

The Civic Center also has a theater. This is where you can watch plays, musicals, and comedy shows. On April 20, 2019, a comedy show with Steve Martin and Martin Short set a record for the most successful comedy event in the theater's history.

Who Performs at the Theater?

The theater is a home for local arts groups, including:

• Peoria Symphony Orchestra
• Peoria Ballet