WesBanco Arena facts for kids
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| Former names | Wheeling Civic Center (1977–2003) |
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| Address | 2 14th Street |
| Location | Wheeling, West Virginia |
| Owner | Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board |
| Operator | Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board |
| Capacity | 5,600 (concerts) 5,406 (Ice hockey) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 31, 1975 |
| Opened | April 19, 1977 |
| Construction cost | $9 million ($34.29 million in 2022 dollars) |
| Architect | Dalton-Dalton Little & Newport |
| Tenants | |
| Wheeling Thunderbirds/Nailers (ECHL) (1992–present) Ohio Valley Greyhounds (NIFL/UIF) (2001–2007) Wheeling Wildcats (CIFL) (2009) West Virginia Roughriders (AAL/NAL) (2019, 2022–present) |
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WesBanco Arena is a large building in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was first called the Wheeling Civic Center. This arena opened in 1977 and cost about $7 million to build. It is a multi-purpose arena, meaning it can be used for many different things.
Today, WesBanco Arena is home to the Wheeling Nailers ice hockey team. It also hosts the West Virginia Roughriders indoor football team. Plus, it's where the big Ohio Valley Athletic Conference wrestling tournament happens every year.
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Building History and Name Changes
People in Wheeling first thought about building a civic center in February 1973. Plans for the arena and a nearby parking garage were approved in April 1974. The total cost for both was expected to be around $9.6 million.
Some local residents tried to stop the project. But in September 1974, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia said the city could go ahead. This allowed the city to sell bonds to pay for the building.
Construction on the civic center began in September 1975. The arena officially opened its doors on April 19, 1977. The very first event was a concert by the band The Doobie Brothers. About 6,922 people came to enjoy the show.
On October 18, 2003, a bank called WesBanco bought the rights to name the arena. They paid $2.3 million for 10 years. In 2013, they renewed the deal for another 10 years, paying $2.5 million. That's why it's now called WesBanco Arena.
Arena Features and Spaces
WesBanco Arena is very flexible. It can host many different events. These include conventions, trade shows, concerts, and banquets. It has a large open space of 23,684 square feet (2,200 m2).
The arena also has 7,500 square feet (700 m2) of meeting room space. These rooms can hold groups from ten to hundreds of people. The biggest meeting room is called the "Health Plan Pavilion." The arena has its own catering team. They can provide food for any event, big or small.
Local community groups like Civitan and Rotary clubs often meet here for lunch. During hockey games, the "Health Plan Pavilion" opens as a restaurant and bar. It is open to everyone with a ticket.
The arena has a high ceiling, about 46-foot (14 m) tall. There is also a transportation center nearby. It helps people park their cars when the arena is full. A back parking lot is available for guests at some events. It also provides space for trucks and buses that belong to performers. These vehicles can drive right onto the stage.
The arena is easy to use for people with disabilities. It has direct access from handicap parking. There is an elevator, and easy access to food stands and restrooms. Special seating areas are available throughout the arena.
Exciting Events at the Arena
Hockey Games
The Wheeling Nailers hockey team has played their home games here since 1993. The arena hosted games for the 2016 Kelly Cup Finals. This is a championship series for the ECHL league. The Nailers played against the Allen Americans. The arena also hosted the 1993 ECHL All-Star Classic game.
Local Sports and Hall of Fame
The hallways of the arena show off the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. These displays have items from schools and athletes in the Ohio Valley. You can see things from famous sports stars like Bill Mazeroski and Phil Niekro.
The arena also hosts the conference's yearly Banquet of Champions. This is the biggest high school sports banquet in the United States.
The West Virginia Mountaineers basketball team played here for one season in 1999–2000. This was because their usual venue was being worked on. Other sports events happen here too. These include high school basketball, college hockey, and indoor football. The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team visits the arena every year.
Concerts and Shows
Many famous comedians have performed at WesBanco Arena. These include Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Dunham. Popular stage shows have also played here. Some of these are Cats, Chicago, and Blue Man Group.
The arena also hosts exciting action events. You might see Monster Jam with huge trucks, or WWE wrestling. Other events include Thunder Nationals and Freestyle Motocross. Even professional bull riders from the PBR have competed here.
Famous musicians have also performed at the arena. In 1977, a concert by Emerson, Lake & Palmer was recorded here. Elton John also held a concert at the arena in 2012.
Images for kids
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WesBanco Arena logo
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WesBanco Arena from the outside
