Verizon Center (Mankato, Minnesota)

Verizon Center
Former names Mankato Civic Center (1995–1998)
Midwest Wireless Center (1998–2007)
Alltel Wireless Center (2007–2009)
Verizon Wireless Center (2009–2017)
Location 1 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
Coordinates 44°09′58″N 94°00′17″W / 44.166114°N 94.004613°W / 44.166114; -94.004613Coordinates: 44°09′58″N 94°00′17″W / 44.166114°N 94.004613°W / 44.166114; -94.004613
Owner City of Mankato
Operator City of Mankato
Capacity 5,280 (ice hockey)
8,200 (concerts)
Surface 200' x 90' (hockey)[1]
Opened February 3, 1995
Tenants
Minnesota State Mavericks (NCAA) (1995–present)
Minnesota Purple Rage (IFL) (2000)

The Verizon Center is a 5,280-seat (8,200 for concerts) multi-purpose arena, in Mankato, Minnesota built in 1995.

It is home to the Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey team and hosts musical performances, conventions and other events.

Prior to the building of the arena, Minnesota State Mankato played their home games at All Seasons Arena, built in 1974, which is now their main practice facility.

The arena's naming sponsor is Verizon, one of America's major telecommunications companies.

Inside the Verizon Center Ice Arena before a NCAA Division 1 Hockey Game between the Minnesota State Mavericks and the Michigan Tech Huskies men's teams
The Verizon Center inside before a hockey game event

History

In 1998, locally headquartered phone company Midwest Wireless purchased naming rights to the Civic Center. With Alltel's acquisition of Midwest Wireless, the facility's name was officially changed in July 2007.[2] Alltel paid $110,000 per year for naming rights.[3] The name changed in 2009 after Alltel was purchased by Verizon Wireless.[4] Verizon shortened the name from Verizon Wireless Center to just Verizon Center in 2017.[5]

The south side of the complex incorporates the restored exterior of the First National Bank of Mankato, a 1913 Prairie School building.

Events

Primarily, the Center hosts hockey games, concerts and conventions.

Notable past events include Disney Live, Jeff Dunham, Monster Jam, TNA Live, WWE Live, Elton John and KISS.

References

  1. ↑ http://mankatofreepress.com/sports/x312419954/Changes-taking-shape-at-Verizon-Center-hockey-rink?mobRedir=false
  2. ↑ Alltel Press Release. Alltel. July 10, 2007. Accessed July 10, 2007. Archived September 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Linehan, Dan (2007-06-25). "Civic center to be Alltel Center". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  4. ↑ "Alltel Center to get name change". Mankato Free Press. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  5. ↑ "Out with the old... In with the new. We're changing our logo & dropping the 'wireless'!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.


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