| Perani Arena and Event Center | |
|---|---|
| Location | 3501 Lapeer Road Flint, Michigan 48503 |
| Broke ground | 1967 |
| Opened | October 1969 |
| Owner | Standard Insurance Co. |
| Operator | Firland Mangement |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $10 million ($59.9 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Capacity | Concerts: 6,469 Ice Hockey: 4,021 Boxing: 5,109 |
| Tenants | |
| Michigan Warriors (NAHL) (2010-present) Flint Generals (UHL/IHL) (1992-2010) Flint Bulldogs (CoHL) (1991-1992) Flint Spirits ([IHL) (1985-1990) Flint Generals (IHL) (1969-1985) Flint Fuze (CBA) (2000-2001) Flint Phantoms (CIFL) (2008) Michigan Pirates (CIFL) (2007) Flint Flames (IFL) (1999-2000) |
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The Perani Arena and Event Center (originally IMA Sports Arena) is a sports, entertainment and convention venue in Flint, Michigan, USA. It was built in 1969.
The main arena of the complex, the largest exhibit hall of complex, features 29,280 square feet (2,720 m2) of space and can accommodate 4,021 for ice hockey and 6,069 for concerts, plus 400 in standing room. It is the home the Michigan Warriors of the North American Hockey League. The second arena in the complex feaures 27,206 square feet (2,527.5 m2) of space. Both arenas are frequently used for trade shows, hockey games and other sports. In addition, the main arena is used for concerts. The complex was named for Bob Perani, owner of Perani's Hockey World, a sports equipment retailer in Flint, MI. Perani's Hockey World paid for naming rights to the complex. Bob Perani was a goalie for the Flint Generals from 1969 to 1974. His jersey #1 is one of only 5 numbers retired by the team.
Previous tenants of the arena include the Flint Generals IHL hockey team from 1969-1985, the Flint Spirits hockey team from 1985-1990, the Flint Bulldogs hockey team from 1991-1993, the Flint Fuze basketball team from 2000-2001 and the Flint Flames indoor football team which only lasted the 2000 season. The most recent iteration of the Flint Generals moved into the arena in 1993.
The Michigan Pirates of the Continental Indoor Football League (formerly based in Port Huron) played their first and second-round playoff games at the Perani Arena, hoping Flint would be a potential relocation site.[2] While the Pirates folded, the Perani Arena will be home to the CIFL expansion team Flint Phantoms for the 2008 season. [3]
Local high schools use the arena for their commencement ceremonies.
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