Androscoggin Bank Colisée
|
Colisée The ABC | |
  | |
| Former names |
Central Maine Youth Center (1958–1989) Central Maine Civic Center (1989–2004) Lewiston Colisée (2004–2006) |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewiston, Maine |
| Owner | Firland Management, LLC (2008–present)[1] |
| Operator | Firland Management, LLC |
| Capacity | 4,000 (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1956 |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Construction cost | $1 million, with renovations $5 million |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Tenants | |
|
Maine Nordiques (NAHL) (1973–1977) Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL) (2003–2011) Portland Pirates (AHL) (2013–2014) Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques (NA3EHL/NA3HL) (2015–present) | |
The Androscoggin Bank Colisée (formerly Central Maine Youth Center, Central Maine Civic Center and Lewiston Colisee) is a 4,000 capacity (3,677 seated) multi-purpose arena, in Lewiston, Maine, that opened in 1958. The Androscoggin Bank Colisée was built to replace St. Dominics Regional High School Arena, and initially constructed and operated by the Catholic parish of SS. Peter and Paul. Currently, it is the home of the Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques, of the NA3HL. The Colisee is also used for concerts, conventions and trade shows. There is 17,000 square feet (1600 m²) of exhibit space. For conventions, the Colisee can accommodate up to 4,800 patrons.
History
The Maine Nordiques of the old North American Hockey League were the primary tenant at the Civic Center from 1973 to 1977. The Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association played exhibition games at the Civic Center.
In 2003, The Lewiston Maineiacs came to the Central Maine Civic Center, and it was renamed the Lewiston Colisee. In 2007, the Lewiston Maineiacs won the Presidents Cup, the QMJHL league championship.
The Federal Hockey League held five home games at the arena in 2011–12.
Due to renovations to the Cumberland County Civic Center, the Portland Pirates at the Colisee during the 2012–13 AHL season and all but one game of their entire 2013–2014 home schedule at the Colisée.[2][3]
On December 16, 2014, it was announced the New Hampshire Fighting Spirit from the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League would relocate to Lewiston and play home games at the Colisee as the L/A Fighting Spirit (with the L/A standing for Lewiston-Auburn) beginning with the 2015–16 season.[4] As of 2016, the Fighting Spirit play in the North American 3 Hockey League.
Other uses
Ali vs. Liston fight
On May 25, 1965, the Youth Center was the venue for the WBC Heavyweight boxing championship rematch between 34-year old former champ Sonny Liston and 23-year-old reigning champion Muhammad Ali.[5] It was at this fight that Sports Illustrated photographer Neil Leifer took what Time Magazine has called the "perhaps the greatest sports photo of the century."[6]
Concerts
On March 19, 1977, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played their only show in the state of Maine at the venue. Bob Dylan performed at the venue on November 13, 2000, May 17, 2008 and on April 10, 2013.
Ring of Honor/New Japan Pro Wrestling
On November 7, 2018, Ring of Honor will make their Maine debut at the Coliseé. As a co-promoted "Global Wars" show with New Japan Pro Wrestling, it will also mark the Japanese promotion's first event ever held in New England.
References
- ↑
- ↑ Hall, Jessica (August 31, 2013). "Civic Center, Pirates in standoff over concessions". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ↑ Lowe, Mike (September 26, 2013). "Portland Pirates leave Cumberland County Civic Center". Kennebec Journal. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Fighting Spirit to relocate to Lewiston, Maine". NA3EHL. December 16, 2014. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
- ↑ Emmert, Mark (24 May 2015). "The Maine moment that made Muhammad Ali". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ↑ TIME staff (3 June 2016). "Behind the Greatest Photo of Muhammad Ali Ever Taken". Time Magazine. Retrieved 6 June 2017.