Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena

Visions Federal Credit Union Veterans Memorial Arena (formerly known as the "Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena" and Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena) is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Binghamton, New York. The arena was completed in 1973, providing an entertainment venue for residents of the Greater Binghamton area. The arena has eight luxury suites that each hold 25 fans (200 total). A longtime home to minor league hockey, the arena is home to the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League.

Visions Federal Credit Union Veterans Memorial Arena
Greater Binghamton's Premier Events Destination
Former namesBroome County Veterans Memorial Arena
(1973-2014)
LocationOne Stuart Street
Binghamton, New York 13901
Coordinates42°5′44″N 75°54′47″W
OwnerBroome County
OperatorBroome County
Capacity7,200 (concerts)[1]
4,710 (ice hockey)[2]
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundJune 1971
OpenedAugust 29, 1973
Construction cost$7.5 million
($43.2 million in 2019 dollars[3])
ArchitectElbasani, Logan & Severin[4]
Structural engineerT. Y. Lin & Associates[4]
General contractorE. L. Nezelek[4]
Tenants
Broome Dusters (NAHL) (1973–1977)
Binghamton Dusters/Whalers/Rangers (AHL) (1977–1997)
B.C. Icemen (UHL) (1997–2002)
Binghamton Senators (AHL) (2002–2017)
Binghamton Devils (AHL) (2017–present)

History

In the 1960s, the city of Binghamton started planning a number of urban renewal projects to revitalize the urban core, collectively known as Project 1. Based on the recommendations of a citizen committee, city and county leaders included a proposal as part of Project 1 to construct a downtown cultural complex.[5][6] The proposed complex would consist of two buildings: a multipurpose veterans memorial auditorium and a performing arts center.

A nationwide design competition for the complex (at the time referred to as the Broome County Cultural Center)[7][8][9] was held and Elbasani, Logan & Severin (ELS) were selected as the winners in November 1967.[10] ELS was formed specifically to enter the competition, and it has since become a nationally-recognized architectural firm.[11] The winning design placed the arena between State Street and Washington Street, and the performing arts center along the river on Washington Street, with an elevated walkway over Washington Street that would connect the two buildings. The arena plans made use of an innovative space frame based design to avoid view-obstructing columns.[7]

The first (and ultimately only) phase of construction, consisting of the arena and a short part of the elevated walkway, lasted from 1971 to 1973, with the cost coming to $7.5 million at the time (equivalent to $43.2 million in 2019).[7] The arena was built with 17,000 square feet of space on the arena floor, with another 12,000 square feet on the concourse. The first act, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, took place in an unfinished arena in May 1973. Chicago played the arena's first concert (with Bruce Springsteen as opener) on June 13, 1973. The ribbon cutting and first event on ice was the Ice Capades.

The complex's proposed second phase, consisting of the remaining elevated walkway and the riverside performing arts center, was never built due to budgetary issues; the portion of the walkway built during the first phase remains as an extension of the arena. In place of the new performing arts center, the county refurbished and expanded the Capri Theatre, which became the Broome County Forum.

The Broome Dusters of the North American Hockey League were the building's first full-time tenant. After a tepid first year of support, the Dusters draw many sellouts, and the community's passion for the team led the Hockey News to declare Binghamton as Hockey Town USA.[12] The Broome Dusters became the Binghamton Dusters in 1977 and moved into the American Hockey League. The franchise went through a number of name changes, becoming the Whalers and then the Rangers before it relocated to Hartford, Connecticut in 1997. The Rangers were replaced by the BC Icemen, of the United Hockey League, for five seasons. The AHL returned in 2002 with the Binghamton Senators, who were affiliated with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. In 2017, the Senators were replaced with the New Jersey Devils' affiliate, the Binghamton Devils.

The arena has hosted notable names in entertainment, including AC/DC, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Kenny Rogers, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Rush, Metallica, Van Halen, Elton John, Keith Sweat, Cher, Dolly Parton, Grateful Dead, Phish, Green Day, Twisted Sister, Stone Temple Pilots and Carrie Underwood. Trade shows, the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Circus all make yearly visits.

Each December, the arena plays host to the Stop-DWI Holiday Classic, a high school basketball tournament. From 1992 to 2014, the Classic included a national bracket, and was considered to be one of the premiere high school basketball tournaments in the United States. In 2016, the arena hosted the New York State Public High School Athletic Association boys' basketball championship.

It was announced on August 14, 2020 that the arena will be renamed the Visions FCU Veterans Memorial Arena effective January 4, 2021. The Visions Federal Credit Union will take over naming rights from the Maines Family who chose not to renew their contract. http://www.wicz.com/story/42497824/visions-federal-credit-union-finalizes-deal-for-naming-rights-to-the-arena

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.

The Grateful Dead performed at the Arena on November 6, 1977, May 9, 1979, and April 12, 1983.[13] The 1977 concert will be featured on the upcoming album Dave's Picks Volume 25.[14]

Phish's December 14, 1995 performance at the Arena was released as Live Phish Volume 1 in 2001.

On April 21, 1997, July 20, 1998, and June 13, 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment brought RAW to the Arena. The April 21, 1997 episode was the RAW after In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker. The July 20, 1998 episode was the RAW before Fully Loaded: In Your House. The June 13, 2005 episode was the RAW after the inaugural ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view.

On November 13, 1999 Extreme Championship Wrestling taped an episode of ECW on TNN at the Arena. It aired on November 19, 1999.

On February 1, 2000 World Championship Wrestling taped an episode of WCW Thunder that was aired the following evening.

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: AHL All Star Game - No Inductions

2009: Mike Dunham, Glenn Merkosky

2010: Daniel Lacroix, Tom Mitchell

2011: Chris Grenville, Corey Hirsch, John Paddock

2012: Mike Busniuk, Chris Ferraro, Peter Ferraro

2013: Bob Carr, Al Hill

2014: Denis Hamel

2015: Rob Zamuner, Bob Moppert, Scott Allegrino

2016: Richard Grenier, Jean-Yves Roy, Justin Plamondon

2017: Ray Emery, Steve Stirling, Patrick Snyder

2018: Brian McGrattan, Larry Kish

References
  1. Howe, Steve (3 October 2014). "Bringing Big Acts to Binghamton Has Its Challenges". Press Connects. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  2. Leone, Tim (8 October 2010). "Preview: AHL Eastern Conference overview". Patriot-News. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  4. 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.
  5. Pierson, Joe (15 March 1966). "$25,000 for Theater Study Urged". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. Thorp, Bruce (4 January 1967). "Project 1 Additions Study OK'd". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  7. "Art Center as Antecedent" (PDF). Architectural Forum. December 1973. pp. 48–57. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  8. "California Trio Sweeps Broome Competition". Progressive Architecture. January 1968. p. 29.
  9. Henry G. Williams, Jr.; William Belden (1970). New York State Appalachian Resource Study, Recreation and Culture - Phase I: Inventory (PDF). New York State Office of Planning Coordination. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  10. Handte, Jerry (11 November 1967). "Coast Trio's Design Wins". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. p. 1. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  11. University of California, Berkeley - College of Environmental Design (5 July 2010). "Barry Elbasani, Berkeley Architect and Friend of CED, Dies at 69". ced.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  12. "2008 Inductee Jim Matthews - Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, Parry Sound, Ontario". bobbyorrhalloffame.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  13. Scott, John W.; Dolgushkin, Mike; Nixon, Stu. (1999). DeadBase XI: The Complete Guide to Grateful Dead Song Lists. Cornish, NH: DeadBase. p. 231. ISBN 1-877657-22-0.
  14. Bernstein, Scott (October 25, 2017). "Grateful Dead to Release Famed 1977 Show as Dave's Picks Volume 25". JamBase. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
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