| Huntington Center | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | Toledo, OH |
| Broke ground | October 1, 2007 |
| Opened | Fall, 2009 |
| Owner | |
| Surface | multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $105 million |
| Former names | Lucas County Arena (2009–2010) |
| Tenants | Toledo Walleye (ECHL) (2009–present) |
| Capacity | 8,200 |
The Huntington Center is an 8,000-seat multi-purpose arena[1] in downtown Toledo, Ohio It was completed in 2009[2] and cost between $80 and 105 million to build. [3] it replaced the demolished Toledo Sports Arena. [4] The new arena is home of the Toledo Walleye ECHL ice hockey team beginning in the 2009–10 season[5] Toledo Arena Sports, Inc., had been in discussions with the National Basketball Association to bring an NBA Developmental League team to the arena,[6] but have been shelved for the moment due to scheduling conflicts with Walleye games.[7] Toledo Arena Sports has not totally abandoned the idea and an NBA-D team could be developed in the future.
After a successful partnership on the Mud Hens Stadium (Fifth Third Field), the Lucas County Commissioners again 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.[8]
The arena is also looking to become the first new LEED sports arena in the United States. The arena's signature green design element is a 900-square foot "green wall" outside of the building, which will 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 to mass transit systems, use of a light-colored roof membrane that reflects sunlight and underground cisterns collecting rain water to re-use for landscaping purposes around the arena, are also emphasized to acquire LEED points for the project.[1]
The arena is part of a complex that includes SeaGate Convention Centre and Fifth Third Field.
The Huntington Center was formerly known as the Lucas County Arena
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated bought the naming rights to Lucas County Arena in April 2010 and renamed the arena 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 will go toward paying down the arena's $90 million debt. [9]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Muret, Don (June 23, 2008). Toledo project in the running for first new "green" arena. Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal.
- ↑ Groundbreaking set for downtown Toledo arena. Toledo Blade (September 28, 2007).
- ↑ Vardon, Joe (October 10, 2007). Building costs vary for arena downtown Toledo. Toledo Blade.
- ↑ Blake, Erica (January 15, 2007). Demolition work for arena likely to begin in Summer. Toledo Blade.
- ↑ Griffin, Jason (April 16, 2007). Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. Acquire ECHL Hockey Team. MudHens.com.
- ↑ Vardon, Joe (April 23, 2007). NBA, Toledo Mud Hens discuss bringing minor-league team to arena. Toledo Blade.
- ↑ Silka, Zach (September 22, 2008). Toledo football franchise to join Walleyes in arena. Toledo Blade.
- ↑ Lucas County Arena Project
- ↑ Vellequette, Larry P. (April 16, 2010). Downtown Toledo arena gets a new name; bank agrees to purchase rights for $2.1 milion. Toledo Blade.
External links[]
| Toledo Walleye | |
|---|---|
| The Franchise | Franchise • Toledo Storm • Team history • Seasons • Players • Accomplishments • Records • Wally • Current season |
| Arenas | Huntington Center |
| Head coaches | Vitucci |
| Team captains | Stokes |
| Rivals | Cincinnati Cyclones • Kalamazoo Wings |
| Affiliates | NHL: Chicago Blackhawks • Detroit Red Wings • AHL: Grand Rapids Griffins • Rockford IceHogs |
| Seasons | 2009–10 • 2010–11 |