Big Sandy Superstore Arena

Infobox Stadium
name = Big Sandy Superstore Arena


image_caption =
nickname =
location = One Civic Center Plaza
Huntington, West Virginia
coordinates = coord|38.42166|-82.44593|format=dms
broke_ground =
built =
opened = 1977
renovated =
expanded =
owner = City of Huntington
operator = SMG
construction_cost = $10.5 million
former_names = Huntington Civic Center (1977–1993)
Huntington Civic Arena (1993–2000)
tenants = Huntington Blizzard (ECHL) (1993–2000)
River Cities LocoMotives (NIFL) (2001)
Huntington Heroes (AIFA) (2007–present)
seating_capacity = 9,000 (arena)
website = http://www.bigsandyarena.com/

The Big Sandy Superstore Arena, originally known as the Huntington Civic Center, is a municipal complex located in the downtown area of Huntington, West Virginia two blocks west of Pullman Square. The Big Sandy Superstore Arena consists of a 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena and an attached conference center. It is currently home to numerous concerts, events and the Huntington Heroes indoor football team. Marshall University's graduation ceremonies are also held at the arena.

History

The $10.5 million Huntington Civic Center was completed in 1977 and was the largest in the state of West Virginia when it opened.cite news | last = Terry | first = Edward | title = Today's spotlight: Civic Arena repairs | work = Herald-Dispatch | date = January 7, 2000]

From 1993–2000, the facility, then called the Huntington Civic Arena, was home to the Huntington Blizzard of the ECHL. In addition, the arena served as the home of the River Cities LocoMotives of the NIFL during their only season in 2001. The facility now serves as the home for the American Indoor Football Association's Huntington Heroes. The team moved to the arena after spending their inaugural season in 2006 at the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse.

The naming rights for the facility were purchased by Big Sandy Superstores, a regional chain of furniture and appliance stores. It is currently managed by SMG.

Renovations

In the fall of 1997, $3.5 million was allocated in bonds to renovate the aging Civic Center, however, work did not begin until 2000. The 20-year old facility had not been renovated or maintained since its initial construction. Outdated colors were repainted in modern hues of gray and maroon and the leaky roof was repaired. The conference area was expanded and the kitchen facility was upgraded.

References

External links

* [http://www.bigsandyarena.com/ Big Sandy Superstore Arena official site]
* [http://www.smgworld.com/ SMG]