Visions Veterans Memorial Arena
The Arena - Greater Binghamton's Premier Events Destination | |
Broome County | |
Capacity | 7,200 (concerts)[1] 4,710 (ice hockey)[2] |
---|---|
Surface | Multi-surface |
Construction | |
Broke ground | June 1971 |
Opened | August 29, 1973 |
Construction cost | $7.5 million ($51.5 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
Architect | Elbasani, Logan & Severin[4] |
Structural engineer | T. Y. Lin & Associates[4] |
General contractor | E. 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) (2017–2020) Binghamton Black Bears (FPHL) (2021–present) |
Visions Veterans Memorial Arena (formerly known as the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena and Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena) is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose
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 $51.5 million in 2023).[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
It was announced on August 14, 2020, that the arena would be renamed the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena effective January 1, 2021. The Visions Federal Credit Union took over naming rights from the Maines Family who chose not to renew their contract.[12][13]
Sports
![The ice at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena during a Binghamton Black Bears hockey game in 2021.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Blackbearshockey.jpg/220px-Blackbearshockey.jpg)
The
The Rangers were replaced by the
In 2017, the Senators were replaced with the New Jersey Devils' affiliate, the Binghamton Devils. In 2020, the B-Devils temporarily relocated to New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic causing a disagreement with the arena's operators.[15] The Devils' AHL franchise was then relocated as the Utica Comets before the 2021–22 season.[16] The arena then agreed to a lease with the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) to add an expansion team called the Binghamton Black Bears for the 2021–22 season.[17]
The
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.
Notable events
The arena has hosted notable names in entertainment, including
Elvis Presley performed back-to-back sold out concerts at the arena, May 26 and 27, just prior to his death in the summer of 1977.
The Grateful Dead performed at the Arena on November 6, 1977, May 9, 1979, and April 12, 1983.[18] The 1977 concert was released in 2018 as Dave's Picks Volume 25.[19]
On November 29, 1984, Kiss performed at the Arena, as part of their Animalize World Tour. It was their last show with lead guitarist Mark St. John, in which he played the entire show. St. John had only played three shows (two in full) with the group, before being permanently replaced by Bruce Kulick.[20]
Phish's December 14, 1995, performance at the arena was released as Live Phish Volume 1 in 2001.
On May 15, 1995 (also the May 22, 1995, episode was taped that same night); April 21, 1997; July 20, 1998; and June 13, 2005,
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.
On March 3, 2012, the Arena was set to host the New York State Section IV Class D Basketball Championship Games. The girls' championship game featured the South Kortright Rams and the Worcester Wolverines, two state ranked teams. However, before the game a transformer outside of the arena malfunctioned, causing the entire arena to lose power. Fans were stranded both inside the concourse, and outside the arena while crews worked to fix the issue. After a two hour delay, power was restored, and the games were played. South Kortright would go onto win the Section IV title by a score of 44-38. [21]
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
2019: Chris Kelly, Ryan Keller, Grady Whittenburg
2020: No Inductions
2021: No Inductions
2022: No Inductions
2023: Josh Hennessy, Patrice Robitaille, Charlie Jaworski
2024: Kurt Kleinendorst, Stephen "Shimes" Shimer
References
- ^ Howe, Steve (3 October 2014). "Bringing Big Acts to Binghamton Has Its Challenges". Press Connects. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ Leone, Tim (8 October 2010). "Preview: AHL Eastern Conference overview". Patriot-News. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Pierson, Joe (15 March 1966). "$25,000 for Theater Study Urged". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ Thorp, Bruce (4 January 1967). "Project 1 Additions Study OK'd". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ a b c "Art Center as Antecedent" (PDF). Architectural Forum. December 1973. pp. 48–57. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "California Trio Sweeps Broome Competition". Progressive Architecture. January 1968. p. 29.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Handte, Jerry (11 November 1967). "Coast Trio's Design Wins". Evening Press. Binghamton, New York. p. 1. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Veterans Memorial Arena gets a new name". WBNG-TV. August 14, 2020.
- ^ "Signs changing at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena". WBNG-TV. March 9, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- WBNG. April 16, 2021.
- ^ "Board of Governors Approves Franchise Relocations". AHL. May 6, 2021.
- ^ "Federal Hockey League wants to come to Binghamton". Binghamton Homepage. May 12, 2021.
- ISBN 1-877657-22-0.
- ^ Bernstein, Scott (October 25, 2017). "Grateful Dead to Release Famed 1977 Show as Dave's Picks Volume 25". JamBase. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ Wardlaw, Matt. "Kiss to Release Rare 1984 Mark St. John Show As Next Live Album". Ultimateclassicrock. Matt Wardlaw.
- ^ "Twice as nice: South Kortright sweeps Section Four Class D championships".