Charles E. Smith Center

Charles E. Smith Center
The Smith Center in January 2016
Location 600 22nd Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20052 U.S.
Owner George Washington University
Operator George Washington University
Capacity 5,000
Surface Hardwood
Construction
Opened December 6, 1975
Construction cost $5 million
($22.7 million in 2017 dollars[1] )
Tenants
George Washington Colonials
(Basketball, volleyball & gymnastics)
Washington Kastles (2014–present)
Washington Mystics (2018 Playoffs)

The Charles E. Smith Center is a 5,000-seat multipurpose arena in the United States' capital, Washington, D.C. It is home to the George Washington University Colonials men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the university's swimming, water polo, gymnastics, and volleyball teams. Since July 2014, it has also been the home of the Washington Kastles of World TeamTennis. Smith Center has also become the temporary home of the Washington Mystics as they make a run at a WNBA Championship in 2018. Smith Center is located on the main George Washington campus in Foggy Bottom, on the block bounded by 22nd and 23rd and F and G Streets NW. The arena also has hosted concerts and includes practice courts, a swimming pool, a weight room, and athletic department offices.

The building was named for Charles E. Smith, who was a university trustee and Chairman of the Committee on University Development.

A $43 million update and expansion of the Smith Center began in February 2008, due in part to a $10 million gift from the family of Charles E. Smith.[2] Renovations were finished before the start of the 2010-2011 Basketball season. Improvements include:

  • New team locker rooms
  • A new seating chart for students and Athletic Director's Club members
  • The Colonial's Club
  • New scoreboards
  • A new exterior design
  • A new entranceway
  • A new ticket booth

On September 11, 2018, the Smith Center's Jumbotron collapsed onto the court below while undergoing maintenance. No one was injured in the incident, possibly due to the Jumbotron's already-lowered position before the fall.[3]

See also

References

  1. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  2. "Colonial Cable April 2008". Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
  3. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Jumbotron-Crashes-Onto-Basketball-Court-at-George-Washington-University-492989531.html

Coordinates: 38°53′52″N 77°02′58″W / 38.897755°N 77.049329°W / 38.897755; -77.049329


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