Tucson Convention Center

shows, and many other smaller events.

Performance venues

*TCC Music Hall, with 2,289 seats, is used for concert performances, including opera.
*Leo Rich Theater, with 511 seats, is used for small scale and more intimate performances.
*TCC Arena, with 4,988 permanent seats, 2,724 bleacher seats, and floor capacity for 888.

Major arena events

Arizona Icecats ice hockey

The University of Arizona Icecats hockey team currently plays in the TCC Arena and is the primary tenant at this time. Although associated with the college, the team receives no funding directly from the school. The hockey team is a Division 1 member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Leo Golembiewski has been the head coach for the last 27 years, leading the team to 21 straight national tournaments with eight final four appearances and one national championship.

Past Minor League Teams

*Tucson Mavericks, Central Hockey League (1975-76)
*Tucson Icemen, Southwest Hockey League (1976-77)
*Tucson Rustlers, Professional Hockey League (1978-79)
*Tucson Gila Monsters, West Coast Hockey League (1997-99)

Future Expansion

Arena & Convention

s would also be added to the grounds around the TCC as well as ten new meeting rooms able to accommodate up to 1,000 people.

The current arena is outdated and operates at a 3 million dollar deficit every year. In 2005, a feasibility study was performed, revealing that this project is possible. Supporters claim that the new arena would add significantly to the Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment project. Currently, most performances in Arizona are held in Phoenix because of the larger facilities. [cite web
url=http://www.tucsonaz.gov/rionuevo/news/press/AZ%20Daily%20Star%209-14-2005%20Can%20City%20Support%20New%20Arena.pdf#search=%22tucson%20convention%20center%20new%20arena%22
title=Study: City can support new 12,500-seat arena
accessdate=2006-09-07] When attempting to bring larger names to the city, Prince and Cirque du Soleil both declined performances because the existing arena's ceiling was too low. The new arena will boast a ceiling more than twice as high at convert|110|ft|m. Though the council signed off on the plan, it will need to vote again on the issue to formally allocate the estimated $130 million for the arena and $60 million for the first phase of TCC renovation. A second phase, also priced at $60 million, that includes a ballroom expansion will be discussed later by the council. Ground could be broken on the downtown arena as early as August 2008. [cite web
url=http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/47264.php
title=Study: Arena construction could start next year
accessdate=2007-05-09] The arena's design was inspired by the Desert Tortoise and the majority of the seating, including the entire lower bowl, will be convert|29|ft|m underground.

References

External links

* [http://www.tucsonaz.gov/tcc/ Official TCC Website]
* [http://www.tucsonaz.gov/tcc/hotelrequest/index.html Details On The TCC Expansion]
* [http://www.hntb.com/ HNTB Official Website]
* [http://www.tucsonaz.gov/tcc/pdfs/Final%20Market%20Analysis%20Updated%20Report%209.1.pdf Feasibility Study Findings]
* [http://www.uaicecats.com/ Official Arizona Icecats Website]