Qwest Center Omaha

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Qwest Center Omaha


location = 455 N 10th St
Omaha, Nebraska, 68102-1151
coordinates = coord|41|15|45.60|N|95|55|41.54|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
broke_ground = 2001
opened = September 2003
renovated =
expanded = 2006
closed =
demolished =
owner = City of Omaha
operator = Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA)
surface = Multi-surface
construction_cost = $291 million USD
architect =
former_names =
tenants = Creighton Bluejays (MVC) (2003 – present)
UNO Mavericks (CCHA) (2003 – present)
seating_capacity = 18,300 (concerts)
17,560 (basketball)
16,680 (hockey)
dimensions =

Qwest Center Omaha is an arena and convention center facility in the NoDo neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. The 1.1 million ft² facility has an 18,300-seat arena, a 194,000-ft² exhibition hall and 62,000 ft² of meeting space. The arena hosts various basketball games, hockey games. professional wrestling events and concerts. Another notable event held there is the annual shareholders meeting of Omaha-based conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway. Other names for the facility are "The Qwest", "The Riverfront Center", "The Omaha Convention Center & Arena".

History

In 2000, Omaha voters approved a $216 million bond issue to build a new convention center and arena; the remainder of the $291 million project was provided by private organizations and individuals. The facility design was led by DLR Group, a national architecture and engineering firm. Naming rights to the arena were purchased by Qwest.

Qwest Center Omaha opened in September 2003 with an initial seating capacity of 17,000 for concerts, 15,500 for basketball, and 14,700 for hockey. In 2006, a $5.7-million expansion of the arena increased capacity by approximately 1,500 seats.

The Qwest Center displaced the 1954 Omaha Civic Auditorium as the premier indoor arena in the city. The venerable Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum was closed in 2002 and was demolished in 2005.

The Arena was home to the WWE Judgment Day 2008 pay-per-view.

A portion of the roof, "The Hat", was damaged by a storm on June 27, 2008. There was no structural damage, however, the damage caused water to pour into parts of the Qwest Center, flowed down two sets of arena steps and onto the deck of the competition pool for the USA Swimming Summer Olympic Trials. The schedule for the trials went on as scheduled. [(nd) [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1000&u_sid=10368854 Severe storm in Omaha damages swimming arena] Retrieved 7/1/2008. ]

Tenants

*Creighton Bluejays men's college basketball
*UNO Mavericks ice hockey
* Nebraska School Activities Association -- Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament

Attendance History

Top 10 Largest Home Crowds at Qwest Center Omaha, Creighton History

Records and milestones

The Qwest Center holds several NCAA records, especially in college volleyball. For instance, on December 16, 2006, the largest crowd to watch an NCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship since the NCAA started sponsoring in 1981 occurred here. 17,209 fans watched the 2006 NCAA National Championship match between the Nebraska and Stanford. On the evening of February 17, 2007, the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game in Nebraska occurred when 17,607 fans watches the ESPN Bracketbuster game between Creighton and Drexel.

See also

* Omaha Civic Auditorium
* Mid-America Center
* Rosenblatt Stadium
* Ak-Sar-Ben - (defunct)

References

External links

* [http://www.qwestcenteromaha.com/ Qwest Center Omaha]
* [http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/49977 Qwest Center event tickets (Ticketmaster)]

succession box
title = Home of
Creighton Bluejays Men's Basketball
years = 2003 – present
before = Omaha Civic Auditorium
after = Currentsuccession box
title = Home of
UNO Mavericks Men's Hockey
years = 2003 – present
before = Omaha Civic Auditorium
after = Current