Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena
| Greater Binghamton's Premier Events Destination | |
 | |
| Former names | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena |
|---|---|
| Location |
One Stuart Street Binghamton, New York 13901 |
| Coordinates | 42°5′44″N 75°54′47″W / 42.09556°N 75.91306°WCoordinates: 42°5′44″N 75°54′47″W / 42.09556°N 75.91306°W |
| Owner | Broome County |
| Operator | Broome County |
| Capacity |
4,679 (hockey)[1] 6,925 (concerts) |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 1971 |
| Opened | August 29, 1973 |
| Construction cost |
$7.5 million ($40 million in 2016 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Elbasani Logan & Severin[3] |
| Structural engineer | T. Y. Lin & Associates[3] |
| General contractor | E. L. Nezelek[3] |
| Tenants | |
|
Binghamton Senators (AHL) (2002–present) B.C. Icemen (UHL) (1997–2002) Binghamton Rangers (AHL) (1990–1997) Binghamton Whalers (AHL) (1980–1990) Binghamton Dusters (AHL) (1977–1980) Broome Dusters (NAHL) (1973–1977) | |
Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena (originally known as Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena) is a 6,925-seat multi-purpose arena located in Binghamton, New York. The Arena was previously named the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The Arena was completed in 1973, providing an entertainment venue for residents of the Greater Binghamton area. After decades of haggling over location, size, and design - it's rumored a college student's design won a nationwide design competition. Whether or not this is true, the Arena has a near twin in the Cornwall Civic Complex in Cornwall, Ontario (built in 1976) and similar facilities in the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine and WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia (both built in 1977). Originally, a performing arts center was to be adjacent to the Arena, across Washington Street, but plans fell through due to lack of funds. The arena contains eight luxury suites, each holding 25 fans (200 total).
The first act was the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, in an unfinished Arena in May 1973. Chicago played the first concert at the arena (with Bruce Springsteen as opener) on June 13, 1973. The ribbon cutting and first event on ice was with the Ice Capades; and the Broome Dusters of the North American Hockey League were the building's first full-time tenant. The Broome Dusters became the Binghamton Dusters in 1977 and moved into the American Hockey League. That AHL franchise would go through a number of name changes, becoming the Whalers and Rangers before moving in 1997. The BC Icemen, of the United Hockey League, occupied the Arena for five seasons until the AHL returned. Since 2002, the Arena has been home to the Binghamton Senators, who are affiliated with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League.
The Arena has hosted some notable names in entertainment -AC/DC "SOLDOUT", Bob Dylan, B.B. King, the Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Rogers, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Van Halen, Elton John, Keith Sweat, Cher, Dolly Parton, Grateful Dead, Phish, Green Day, and Carrie Underwood to name but a few. Trade shows, the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Circus all make yearly visits. Plus, every December, the Arena plays host to the Stop-DWI Holiday Classic, one of the premiere high school basketball tournaments in the nation. In 2016, the arena was awarded the New York State Public High School Athletic Association boys' basketball championship. The arena contains 17,000 square feet of space on the arena floor and an additional 12,000 square feet on the concourse.
Notable events
Elvis Presley performed back-to-back sold out concerts at the Arena, May 26 & 27, just prior to his death in the summer of 1977.
The New Jersey Nets of the NBA, Hartford Whalers, Washington Capitals, and Ottawa Senators of the NHL have all hosted exhibition games at the Arena.
Phish's legendary December 14, 1995 performance at the Arena was released as Live Phish Volume 1 in 2001.
On June 13, 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment brought RAW to the Arena, which was broadcast live nationwide on television.
The Arena played host to the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic, with the skills contest and game broadcast on consecutive nights on live TV across the US and Canada.
Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame
The Arena is home to the Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame, with a display of plaques on the main concourse. Current inductees are:
1998: Ken Holland, Randy MacGregor, Jim Matthews
1999: Rod Bloomfield, Jacques Caron, Paul Stewart
2000: Paul Crowley, Paul Fenton, Larry Pleau
2001: Craig Duncanson, Pierre Laganiere, Brad Shaw
2002: Chris Cichocki, Peter Sidorkiewicz, Ross Yates
2003: Roger Neel, Peter Fiorentino
2004: Peter Laviolette, Jon Smith, Bob Sullivan
2005: Don Biggs, Dallas Gaume, Brad Jones
2006: Ken Gernander, Dave Staffen
2007: Gary Jaquith, Brian McReynolds
2008: Doug McKay, Warren Harper
2009: Mike Dunham, Glenn Merkosky
2010: Daniel Lacroix, Tom Mitchell
2011: Chris Grenville, Corey Hirsch, John Paddock
References
- ↑ Burgess, Cassie (March 26, 2013). "I Get Paid to Watch Hockey". Binghamton Senators Hockey Club. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ↑ "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Chakrabarti, P. R.; Thornton, Keith C.; Nardone, Ray P. (1973). "Space Frame Covers Arena" (PDF). Modern Steel Construction. pp. 3–5. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
External links
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