Fairgrounds Coliseum

The Pepsi Coliseum hosts sporting events, including the Naptown Roller Girls, a women's roller derby team

The Fairgrounds Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and formerly Pepsi Coliseum^[1]) is an indoor multi-use arena, located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

About the venue

Opening in 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration, it replaced the previous venue from 1907. The arena is used primarily during the season of the Indiana State Fair while also hosting year-round sporting events. The venue was a major concert venue during the 50s and 60s until the opening of the Market Square Arena. The arena closed for renovation on October 29, 2012 to reopen in 2014 as the fairgrounds main concert venue.^[2] The State Fair Commission made the decision in 2012 to move all fair concerts indoors, following the 2011 concert incident.^[3]

On October 26, 2012, the Coliseum held its "Lights Out" ceremony and closed for renovations. It is scheduled to reopen in 2014.^[4] The multimillion dollar renovations will make the facility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and increase the seating to nearly 9,000.^[5]

On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a propane leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 74 people.^[6] A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building, but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's entrance. On the 50th anniversary it was reported that the leak was slow and ignited by a nearby popcorn machine.^[7][8]

Indiana Pacers (1967-74): ABA Titles

The venue was home to the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1974. The Pacers were very succseeful in their tenure at the Coliseum, winning three ABA Championships. They captured the ABA titles in 1969-70, defeating the Los Angeles Stars in 6 games, in 1971-72, defeating the New York Nets in 6 games, and in the 1972-73 season, defeating the Kentucky Colonels in 7 games. The team moved to Market Square Arena in 1974. In 1976, the Pacers became a franchise in the NBA (National Basketball Association) when the ABA merged with the NBA. ^[9]

The Pacers returned for a night when they played their first pre-season game of the 2008-2009 season at the Pepsi Coliseum on October 8, 2008 hosting the then-New Orleans Hornets.^[10] 7,439 people watched the Pacers lose to the Hornets 105 to 71. The Pacers wore uniforms based on the 1967 to 1971 uniform design. Former ABA Pacers George McGinnis, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Don Buse, Jerry Harkness, Steve Green, Tom Thacker, Bill Newton, and Wayne Pack, attended the game and were recognized during a halftime ceremony.^[11] During the game's first quarter, former Championship Pacers coach and current radio commentator Slick Leonard sat on the Pacers' bench as head coach, while then-head coach Jim O'Brien joined Mark Boyle for the radio broadcast.^[12]

Other Sports Teams/Events

The Indianapolis Checkers of the Central Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning back to back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983.

Since 2005 the facility has been home to the Indiana Ice ice hockey team, and, since 2010, to the Naptown Roller Girls roller derby team.^[13] It is also the home to the North Central Panthers, the Indiana high school state champions in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

During the winter months, public ice skating is offered for a small fee. The Coliseum also hosts Budweiser Fight Night Boxing, the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, The Hoosier Horse Fair, high school and college commencement ceremonies, and many concerts featuring national acts.

Performances

External links

• Official Site
• Photos from Indiana Ice games
• Photo gallery of Pacers highlights at Coliseum
• Indianapolis, IN Coliseum Explosion, Oct 1963

References