Huntington Center (Toledo, Ohio)
The Huntington Center is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena[7] in downtown Toledo, Ohio. It was completed in 2009[8] and cost $105 million to build.[9] It replaced the Toledo Sports Arena, which has since been demolished.[10]
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| Former names | Lucas County Arena (2009–2010) |
|---|---|
| Location | 500 Jefferson Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43604 |
| Owner | Lucas County |
| Operator | SMG |
| Capacity | Concerts: 4,784 (half-house) 5,903 (3/4 house) 7,286 (End-stage) 9,341 (center-stage) Basketball: 8,000 Ice Hockey: 7,389 (8,300 with standing room) |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 1, 2007 |
| Opened | October 3, 2009[1] |
| Construction cost | $105 million ($125 million in 2019 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | HNTB The Collaborative Inc.[3] |
| Project manager | Project Management Consultants LLC[4] |
| Structural engineer | Poggemeyer Design Group[5] |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc.[3] |
| General contractor | Lathrop/R. Gant LLC[6] |
| Tenants | |
| Toledo Walleye (ECHL) (2009–present) Toledo Crush (LFL) (2014) | |
It serves as the home of the Toledo Walleye ECHL ice hockey team,[11] and was the home of the Toledo Crush of the Legends Football League for the 2014 season.[12]
History
After a successful partnership on the Mud Hens Stadium (Fifth Third Field), the Lucas County Commissioners teamed with HNTB Architecture Inc., a national sports architecture firm located in Kansas City; The Collaborative Inc., of Toledo; and Poggemeyer Design Group, of Toledo, for a new arena.[13]
The arena was designed as the first new LEED sports arena in the United States. The arena's signature green design element is a 900-square-foot (84 m2) "green wall" outside of the building, to feature the use of plant life on the exterior of the building to help cool the arena by shading the glass-enclosed main entrance of the arena. The arena's location near mass transit systems, use of a light-colored roof membrane to reflect heat and sunlight, and underground cisterns collecting rain water to re-use for landscaping purposes around the arena, are also emphasized to earn LEED points for the project.[7]
The Huntington Center opened in 2009.
Notable events
The arena is part of a complex that includes SeaGate Convention Centre and Fifth Third Field. The first person to perform at this venue was Jeff Dunham.
Other performances that have happened at the Huntington Center include: Janet Jackson, Daughtry, Tool, Lil' Wayne, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Elton John, Brad Paisley, Stevie Nicks, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Hunter Hayes, and Bob Seger. It is also the Toledo-area stop for World Wrestling Entertainment.
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated bought the naming rights to Lucas County Arena in April 2010 and renamed it as the Huntington Center. The six-year, $2.1 million naming rights and sponsorship agreement includes three renewal options of six years each, and could mean total Huntington payments of $11 million. The proceeds are to be applied to paying down the arena's $90 million debt.[14]
The Huntington Center hosted the 2019 CCM/ECHL All Star Classic on January 21, 2019.[15]
On January 9, 2020, President Trump held a Keep America Great rally.
References
- Smith, Ryan E. (October 4, 2009). "Lucas County Arena Sparkles as Thousands Get Sneak Peek". Toledo Blade. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Lucas County Multi Purpose Arena Bp 2
- Project Management Consultants: Lucas County Arena
- "Huntington Center Superstructure & Sustainable Site Design". Poggemeyer Design Group. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- Vardon, Joe (May 22, 2007). "Commissioners Seek Arena Work for Minority Firms". Toledo Blade. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
- Muret, Don (June 23, 2008). "Toledo Project in the Running for First New "Green" Arena". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
- "Groundbreaking Set for Downtown Toledo Arena". Toledo Blade. September 28, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- Vardon, Joe (October 10, 2007). "Building Costs Vary for Arena Downtown Toledo". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- Blake, Erica (January 15, 2007). "Demolition Work for Arena Likely to Begin in Summer". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- Griffin, Jason (April 16, 2007). "Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. Acquire ECHL Hockey Team". Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2014-08-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Lucas County Arena Project". Lucas County. Archived from the original on January 25, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
- Vellequette, Larry P. (April 16, 2010). "Downtown Toledo Arena Gets a New Name; Bank Agrees to Purchase Rights for $2.1 Million". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
- "Walleye to host 2019 CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic". 2017-04-08. Archived from the original on 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2017-04-10.