| Save Mart Center at Fresno State | |
|---|---|
| Location | 2650 East Shaw Avenue Fresno, California 93710 |
| Broke ground | May 8, 2001[1] |
| Opened | November 27, 2003 |
| Owner | California State University, Fresno Association, Inc. |
| Operator | SMG |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | US$103 million ($123 million in 2012 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs |
| Project Manager | International Facilities Group |
| Structural engineer | John A. Martin & Associates |
| General Contractor | Clark Construction Group Inc. |
| Capacity | Basketball – 15,544 Boxing – 16,182 Concerts – 16,182 Ice Events – 14,224 Rodeo – 12,368 Wrestling – 16,182 |
| Executive Suites | 30 |
| Tenants | |
| Fresno State Bulldogs (basketball) Fresno Falcons (hockey) |
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Save Mart Center at Fresno State is a multi-purpose arena, on the campus of the California State University, Fresno, located in Fresno, California. An open house was held for community on November 5, 2003, with the official ribbon cutting following on November 27, 2003.
It is home to the Fresno State Bulldogs basketball team and, for the first five seasons in the ECHL (2003-08), the Fresno Falcons ice hockey team; prior to the opening of the building, they played at Selland Arena.
It is also a concert destination, with its first performance featuring opera tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Financing for the project was provided through revenue, from corporate sponsorships, private gifts, leasing of luxury suites, sale of club seating and personal seat licenses, as well as revenue from advertising and signage agreements.
Contents |
Save Mart Center encompasses approximately 40,000 m² (430,000 ft²) on three primary levels; an event level and two concourses, plus a club level mezzanine. The facility includes thirty-two revenue-generating suites and eight party suites, located on the main concourse level. Seating capacities are approximately 15,500 for basketball, 14,000 for hockey, 8,000 for half-house concerts, 15,500 for end-stage concerts, and 18,000 for center-stage concerts.
The arena's main exterior landmark is the 37 m (93 ft) Larry A. Shehadey Clock Tower. Thirteen stories in-all, it was named for the founder of Producers Dairy Foods, a Fresno-based dairy company, who donated US$3 million towards construction. The lobby at the arena's southeast entrance is named after Shehadey’s late wife, Elayne Shehadey.
The majority of the funding for the facility came from two sources. Save Mart Supermarkets paid US$40 million for 20 years naming rights, and the Pepsi Bottling Group paid a similar sum for exclusive, indefinite beverage dispensing rights. Total construction costs exceeded US$100 million and when completed, represented the largest privately funded complex of any university in the United States.
The Bulldog Foundation donated money for the following amenities at Save Mart Center:
| “ | This is our mascot and he ain't no hound.
He’s an English bull and weighs lots of pounds He’s got two rows of teeth and a terrible frown Hey, nobody’s kicking our dog around!!! |
” |
Officials from the Fresno Falcons of the West Coast Hockey League announced on March 18, 2002, that the Falcons would make Save Mart Center at Fresno State their home ice beginning with the 2003 season.[3] The Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament was held at the center in 2004, as well as WWE's Royal Rumble 2005 and WWE Live Events, including ECW/SmackDown 6/30/09 where 3 superstars made their debut, including multiple time WWE Champion, Sheamus.
The first athletic event held at Save Mart Center took place when the Rainbow Wahine of Hawaii took on the Fresno State Bulldogs in women's NCAA volleyball in October 2003.
Save Mart Center's first arena football game was held on July 19, 2008. The Central Valley Coyotes defeated the Boise Burn 55-50. Both teams were members of the now defunct af2, the minor league for the Arena Football league.
Save Mart Center has hosted four NBA preseason games since the arena has opened. The first game was in 2003-2004 when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Sacramento Kings; the Lakers defeated the Kings 105-80. The second was in 2004-2005 with the Sacramento Kings taking on the Phoenix Suns; the Suns defeated the Kings 100-88. The third was in 2005-2006 when the Lakers hosted the Utah Jazz; the Lakers defeated the Jazz 95-85. The Los Angeles Lakers hosted another game in the 2008 preseason against the Los Angeles Clippers, with the Clippers beating the Lakers 107-80.
Save Mart Center hosted an NHL preseason Game on September 23, 2006. The San Jose Sharks took on the Anaheim Ducks, winning 4-3. Joe Thornton scored the game-winning goal for the Sharks, Anaheim went on to win its first Stanley Cup Championship later that season.
Save Mart Center hosted the Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello mixed martial arts (MMA) event on October 6, 2006. It hosted the inaugural ShoMMA on May 15, 2009.
Since 2004, the arena is a stop for PBR's Built Ford Tough Series for the Table Mountain Casino Invitational.
Several major entertainers have performed at the venue including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Billy Joel, Madonna, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson and more. The arena has also played host to music festivals, including The Vans Warped Tour and The Mayhem Festival.
| Preceded by Wachovia Center |
Home of the Royal Rumble 2005 |
Succeeded by American Airlines Arena |
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