Wallace Civic Center

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = George R. Wallace Jr. Civic Center
nickname =


location = 1000 John Fitch Highway Fitchburg, Massachusetts
broke_ground =
opened = 1970
owner = Fitchburg State College
operator = FMC Arenas [http://www.fmcarenas.com/public/locations/fitchburg.htm]
construction_cost=
architect =
former_names=
tenants=
seating_capacity =

The George R. Wallace Jr. Civic Center is a 1,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. First opened in 1970, the Wallace Civic Center consists of the Gaetz Arena, the Carmelita Landry Arena, a planetarium, and several multi-use banquet rooms.

History

The Wallace Civic Center opened in 1970 due to funding by George Wallace, a Fitchburg resident. [ [http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/History.htm Wallace Civic Center History ] ] it consisted of two separate ice rinks and a planetarium.

In the nearly 40 years since the Civic Center opened, it has hosted public skating, summer camps, hockey leagues, figure skating, trade shows, concerts, tournaments, events and private functions. Notably the Civic center has witnessed performances by bands such as Nirvana and The Foo Fighters. [ [http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/pastperformers.htm Wallace Civic Center Past Performances ] ] It has also hosted a moon rock [ [http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/Planetarium.htm Wallace Civic Center Planetarium ] ] and hockey games feturing the Boston Bruins.

The Civic Center slowly fell into disrepear to the point where the planetarium had to be closed.

Control and ownership of the Civic Center was transferred from the City of Fitchburg to Fitchburg State College in August,2007. [ [http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw07/sl070088.htm CHAPTER 88 OF THE ACTS OF 2007 ] ] Since this transfer, the college has performed many upgrades to the Civic Center. These include new roofing, new ice making machinery and ventelation, and overall refurbishment. They have also transformed the Landry Arena into an indoor turf field. [ [http://www.telegram.com/article/20080714/NEWS/807140537 Worcester Telegram & Gazette News ] ]

Teams

The Civic Center is home to the Fitchburg State Falcons division III college ice hockey team and a new junior team. Many surrounding high school ice hockey teams also call the Civic Center home; including St. Bernard's High School, North Middlesex Regional High School, Leominster High School, Fitchburg High School, and Lunenburg High School.

External links

* [http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/ web site]
* [http://www.fmcarenas.com/public/locations/fitchburg.htm#Rink_Facts FMC arena site]

References