Ocean Center

Ocean Center
The Ocean Center in August 2007
Location	101 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Opened	1985
Owner	Volusia County, Florida
Operator	Volusia County, Florida
Construction cost	$76 Million (expansion)
Architect	Thompson, Ventulett, Stainbeck and Associates, Atlanta and DJ Design, Daytona Beach
Capacity	6,176 (Hockey, Football) 8,362 (Basketball) 7,184 (Circus) 7,380 (Ice Shows) 8,582 (Wrestling) 9,440 (Concerts)
Tenants
Daytona Beach ThunderBirds (af2) (2008) Daytona Beach Thunder (AIFL/WIFL) (2006-2007) Daytona Beach Sun Devils (SuHL) (1992-1995) Daytona Beach Breakers (SHL) (1995-1996)

The Ocean Center is a multi-purpose facility, in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. It was built in 1985 and expanded in 2009, doubling the facility's size. The $76 million construction project has elevated the facility to one of the largest in Florida and into the second tier of convention facilities throughout the world.

About

The Ocean Center features 205,000 square feet (19,000 m²) of prime meeting space; 42,000 square feet (3,900 m²) of exhibit space at the main arena, 12,000 square feet (1,100 m²) of space in the Ballroom and 32,000 square feet (3,000 m²) of meeting rooms. The new addition of the Exhibit Hall features 94,695 square feet (8,797.5 m²), ceiling heights: 22 to 45 feet (14 m), a drive-in door: 20' x 16', and 6 loading docks with self-adjusting levelers. 100,000 square feet (9,300 m²) of parking lot/outdoor exhibit space was also added near the Exhibit Hall.

Thanks to a $3 million grant from the voter-approved ECHO program, the county’s Ocean Center has a grand entrance that will enhance tourism throughout Volusia. The exceptional category grant from the ECHO grants-in-aid program was used to create a Cultural Information Center (CIC). The funds were used for site preparation and construction of the CIC, an enhancement of 51,635 square feet (4,797.0 m²) of lobby space with gathering areas, restrooms and concession facilities. It displays works from the “Arts in Public Places” program and has dedicated areas for permanent and visiting art works and cultural displays from all areas of Volusia County. The grand entrance also includes a new façade and entrance along N. Atlantic Avenue. Other features of the new entrance lobby and CIC is a marquee mural on the west wall above the ballrooms doors, seen from inside and outside the facility. The mural will change with the center’s exhibits. The center and its displays are in the highest pedestrian traffic area for the venue. The main arena seats 6,176 for ice hockey and arena football, 8,362 for basketball, 7,184 for the circus, 7,380 for ice shows, 8,582 for wrestling and 9,440 for concerts. The Ocean Center is also used for banquets, trade shows, high school graduations, conventions and other events.

History

In 1985, the Ocean Center opened with 60,000 square feet (5,600 m²) of exhibit space and 18 breakout rooms. Christian pop singer Amy Grant performed the first concert at the Ocean Center on Oct. 3, 1985, singing to 2,938 people. John Denver was the grand opening act two days later, performing to a crowd of 7,368.

Notable events

The Ocean Center has presented many of the world's most famous entertainers, including The Harlem Globetrotters, Lipizzaner Stallions & Larry the Cable Guy, among others. Other entertainment events have included the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Miss Teen USA Pageant and WWE Live. The fun, furry characters of Sesame Street have been frequent performers at the Ocean Center. The family production had multiple shows in 1985-'86, and returned in the 1990s and 2000s. In October 1997, the Ocean Center hosted the Nice n' Easy U.S. Figure Skating Classic. Skaters included the Tara Lipinski, Michelle Kwan, Dorothy Hamill, Nicole Bobek, Rosalynn Summers, Kyoko Ina, Jason Dungjen, Todd Eldredge, Rudy Galindo, Michael Weiss, Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow. The event was broadcast later on ABC. The Ocean Center also hosts The Passion Conferences starring Worship singer Chris Tomlin

Basketball

The Ocean Center hosted the 1988 Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournament. It is also home to a few of Bethune-Cookman University basketball games.

Ice hockey

The Daytona Beach Sun Devils of the defunct Sunshine Hockey League played hockey games at the Ocean Center from 1992-1995. In 1995, the team and league changed names to the Daytona Beach Breakers, playing in the Southern Hockey League. After the 1995-96 season both the team and the league folded.

Pro wrestling

The Ocean Center hosted the WCW Bash at the Beach in 1996, 1997 and 2000. 1996 was the scene of one of the biggest moments in pro wrestling history with the infamous heel turn (bad guy) of Hulk Hogan when he formed the nWo faction. Other notable WCW related events that have occurred here include Booker T winning his first World Championship, the debut of Thursday Night Thunder, the controversial Vince Russo-Hulk Hogan "shoot" confrontation, the much hyped team-up of NBA star Dennis Rodman with Hogan and the notorious botched debut of the Shockmaster. For the first time since the fall of 2006, WWE held an event at the Ocean Center on July 31, 2010. The location also held Total Nonstop Action Wrestling biggest pay-per-view of the year, Bound For Glory on October 10, 2010 where Hulk Hogan turned heel along with Jeff Hardy as Hardy won the world championship.

Other events

• Daytona Beach Garden Show [1] - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Council of Garden Clubs of the Halifax District and the Daytona Beach News-Journal; usually scheduled in March.
• Daytona Beach Home Show [2] - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Pilot Club of Daytona Beach and the Daytona Beach News-Journal; usually scheduled in October.
• Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show - Annual event, usually held near the first week of March, corresponding with the dates of Daytona Beach Bike Week.
• Spring Break Nationals -Annual event, held during spring break. It is a world renown car audio show.
• National Reptile Breeders Expo - An annual event that is held every 3rd week of August for 3 days. This event allows consumers to buy reptiles in the convention center. Consumers may also look at these reptiles if they want and if they like the reptile, they can buy it from the seller for a certain price.

References

http://oceancenter.com

External links

Official website

Coordinates: 29°13′43″N 81°00′38″W / 29.228700°N 81.010600°W / 29.228700; -81.010600