SIU Arena
| SIU Arena | |
|---|---|
| Location |
Arena Drive Carbondale, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 37°42′30″N 89°13′7″W / 37.70833°N 89.21861°WCoordinates: 37°42′30″N 89°13′7″W / 37.70833°N 89.21861°W |
| Broke ground | March, 1962 |
| Opened | December 1, 1964 |
| Renovated | 2010 |
| Owner | Southern Illinois University |
| Operator | Southern Illinois University |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction cost |
$4.3 million ($32.4 million in 2014 dollars[ 1]) |
| Architect |
Perkins & Will 360 Architecture (renovation) |
| Capacity | 8,339 |
| Tenants | |
| Southern Illinois Salukis | |
The SIU Arena is a 8,339-seat multi-purpose arena, on the campus of Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Construction on the arena began in the spring of 1962 and took nearly two years to complete. It was completed in 1964 and is the home of the SIU Salukis basketball team.
The basketball team played its first game in the new complex on December 1, 1964. The Salukis pummeled Oklahoma State, 78-55, in the opener and went on to post a 14-1 record at home that season.[1]
A first round game of the 1969 NCAA basketball tournament was played at the arena. Widespread Panic released a live album, containing their complete concert performance from 2000. In December 2003, it was also the site of a memorial service for the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon. In March, 2010 Drake performed his first live performance of his career, he was booked last minute as a surprise to the students, as the event was sold out. This was the beginning of his emerging career.[2]
Renovations to SIU Arena, scheduled for the end of the 2009 basketball season, will include new seating throughout the lower and upper areas, improved accessibility and entrances to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, middle handrails at all aisles, improved concessions, additional restrooms and fan amenities on the upper level, a new scoreboard and other aesthetic and functional improvements.
A two-level addition will be built on the northeast side of the Arena and will house a main entrance, expanded team facilities, an auditorium, mechanical areas and office space.
The renovations will take place in two phases, as the Salukis will continue to play basketball in the Arena while the project is under way.
References
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