The Dome Center facts for kids
|
The Dome Arena
|
|
 |
|
| Former names | Dome Arena, the Dome Center |
|---|---|
| Location | Henrietta, New York |
| Coordinates | 43°03′57″N 77°36′44″W / 43.0659°N 77.6123°W |
| Owner | Monroe County Fair and Recreation Association |
| Capacity | 4,700 (Dome) 3,000 (Minett Hall) |
| Acreage | 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) (Dome) 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) (Minett Hall) |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1972 |
| Tenants | |
| Rochester Zeniths (CBA) (1978–1983) Roc City Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2009–present) Rochester Raiders (IFL) (2010) Rochester Lancers (M2/MASL) (2018–present) |
|
The Dome Center is a large complex in Henrietta, New York. It is just outside the city of Rochester. This place is used for fairs and big meetings called conventions. It used to be the home of the yearly Monroe County Fair.
The center was planned in 1957 to replace an older venue. The Monroe County Fair moved from this location in the early 2010s. This happened as part of a plan to make the fair smaller.
Contents
Exploring the Dome Center
The Dome Center has several important parts. These include the Dome Arena, Minett Hall, and a large outdoor grandstand. Each part is used for different kinds of events.
The Amazing Dome Arena
The Dome Arena is a big indoor sports and event space. It can hold 4,086 people. There are 2,164 permanent seats for visitors. This arena also has about 25,000 square feet of space for exhibits.
It was built in 1972. At that time, its wooden roof was one of the largest in the world. From 1978 to 1983, it was home to the Rochester Zeniths basketball team. They played in the Continental Basketball Association. Today, the Dome Arena hosts concerts, big shows, and indoor sporting events. It also holds conventions and many other activities.
Sports History at the Dome Arena
The Rochester Raiders indoor football team played here in 2010. The Roc City Roller Derby team has been playing here since 2009. This arena has a rich history of exciting sports moments.
On May 10, 1977, the famous blues rock band Foghat recorded their album Foghat Live here. This album became very popular.
The arena was known for its unique green basketball court. This court was made of textile and rubber. People thought it would be the "future of basketball courts." It was even called the "AstroTurf of basketball." While it became popular in Europe, this type of court did not catch on in the US. Many people who remember the Dome Arena's early days still recall "The Rug."
A Basketball Game Like No Other
The Dome Arena was the site of a very unusual basketball game. In January 1979, the Rochester Zeniths played against the CBA All-Stars. This was the league's annual All-Star game. At halftime, a huge snowstorm caused a power outage. This stopped the game.
The game was finished the next evening. The league commissioner decided to play four more quarters for the new fans. This meant the game had six 12-minute "quarters." It was the only professional basketball game in history to do this. The Zeniths won the game 182-168.
The Zeniths won two CBA Championships while playing at the Dome Arena. They won in the 1978–79 and 1980–81 seasons.
Minett Hall: Another Great Space
Minett Hall is another important part of the Dome Center. It is an exhibit hall with about 23,000 square feet of space. It can hold up to 3,000 people.
This hall is used for many different events. These include large dinners called banquets, trade shows, and conventions. It is a very flexible space for various gatherings.
The Grandstand and Outdoor Track
The Dome Center also has a large outdoor grandstand. It has 4,000 seats for spectators. There is also a half-mile clay track.
This outdoor area is used for many fun events. These include circuses, horse shows, and other outdoor activities. It provides a great space for larger, open-air gatherings.
Images for kids
-
Front view of the Dome Arena
-
Rear view of the Dome Arena
-
Inside the Dome Arena
-
A livestock pen at the Dome Arena
-
Southwest view of Minett Hall
-
Inside Minett Hall
-
The festival site at the Dome Arena
