Target Center
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| Location |
600 First Avenue North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403-1416 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44.97944°N 93.27611°WCoordinates: 44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44.97944°N 93.27611°W |
| Public transit | Warehouse District/Hennepin Ave |
| Owner | City of Minneapolis |
| Operator | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Capacity |
Basketball: 19,356 Hockey: 17,500 Concerts: Up to 20,500 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 12, 1988 |
| Opened | October 13, 1990 |
| Renovated | 2004 & 2014 |
| Construction cost |
$104 million ($188 million in 2015 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | KMR Architects, Ltd. |
| Structural engineer | Ericksen Roed and Associates, Inc. |
| Services engineer | Gausman & Moore[2] |
| General contractor | M. A. Mortenson Company |
| Tenants | |
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Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (1990–present) Minnesota Fighting Pike (AFL) (1996) Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) (1999-present) Minnesota Valkyrie (LFL) (2011-2013) | |
| Website | |
| http://www.targetcenter.com/ | |
Target Center is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Target Center hosts major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations and private events. Target Corporation is the original and current naming rights partner of the arena. It contains 702 club seats and 68 suites.[3]
The center is home to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves,[4] the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.[5] The facility has also hosted the LFL's Minnesota Valkyrie, the RHI's Minnesota Arctic Blast and the Arena Football League's Minnesota Fighting Pike in the past.
History
The Timberwolves originally built and owned the arena in 1990 and the venue was managed by Ogden Entertainment. The City of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995. In 2000, SFX (later Clear Channel Entertainment) took over the contract.[6] The management was changed in May 2004 from Clear Channel Entertainment to Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture of the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts.[3]
On May 2, 2007 AEG Facilities assumed the Management contract of Target Center. The city of Minneapolis owns the arena and AEG Facilities manages day-to-day operations.[7]
In 2004, Target Center underwent a major renovation that saw the replacement of all 19,006 of its original seats plus the addition of nearly 1,500 new seats as well as the reconfiguration of the lower bowl to make the arena more fan-friendly. In addition the arena's original scoreboard was replaced with a new state-of-the-art 9-by-16 foot video screen and state-of-the-art LED signage, LED signage on the upper deck fascia, a new luxury lounge (Club Cambria) and improved access for fans with disabilities.[8]
In 1999, Target Center hosted the "People's Celebration" inaugural event for Gov. Jesse Ventura. The event drew 14,000 people, and included performances by Jonny Lang, Warren Zevon, and America.[9]
The Professional Bull Riders held a Built Ford Tough Series event at Target Center during the 2003 and 2006 seasons.
Target Center was once one of three NBA arenas with parquet floors, including TD Garden in Boston, and Amway Arena (later Amway Center) in Orlando—the floor was replaced prior to the 2008 NBA season. It hosted the 1994 NBA All-Star Game, the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four and the 2000 NBA Draft.
The Target Center held the memorable UFC championship UFC 87: Seek and Destroy in August 2008, which featured the Welterweight title match where Georges St-Pierre defeated Jon Fitch.
The Target Center recently hosted one of its most successful events of the year, with the Winter Wonder Slam Tour, which featured tobyMac, Skillet and Shonlock. Despite the economic downfall in the Rock industry, especially for concerts, Skillet sold out the building; in the midst of a snowstorm.[10]
The Target Center hosted the Rally for the Republic convention organized by the Campaign for Liberty, a movement founded by Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. Among the attendees of the convention included former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, Barry Goldwater, Jr., and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson.[11]
The Target Center is home to the Target Corporation Annual Sales Meeting, events which host more than 10,000 retail managers and employees near Target's corporate offices.
In 2011, Target Center played host to its first championship event, the 2011 WNBA Finals. The Minnesota Lynx won their first two games on their home floor, and ultimately won the WNBA Championship, the first title won by a team that played in Target Center.[12]
Target Center is the first arena to have a green roof. It was unveiled on September 15, 2009.[13] In February 2011, the Timberwolves and the city of Minneapolis introduced a $155 million proposal to remodel the Target Center. Plans included shifting the main entrance to the corner of 6th Street and First Avenue, two large glass atriums, another restaurant, and a complete remodel of the interior.[14] The plan was approved in 2012 by the Minnesota Legislature, as part of the bill that authorized a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.[15][16]
Target extended its naming rights agreement through 2014 in September 2011.[17] In 2012, a "Target Dog" neon sign was installed to face towards Target Field as a home run celebration sign.[18]
On April 3, 2015, the Minneapolis City Council gave the final approval for renovation plans for Target Center. The total cost will be $128.9 million, which will upgrade the exterior, seats, technology and loading bays, among other areas. The city will contribute $74 million. Glen Taylor, owner of the Timberwolves and Lynx, will pay a total of $49 million, AEG will contribute $5.9 million. As a result, the Timberwolves lease will run until 2035.
Ice Hockey
Target Center hosted 6 neutral site NHL games during the 1993-94 NHL season. The International Hockey League's Minnesota Moose played several of their games at Target Center during their existence from 1994 to 1996. The Boy's State High School Hockey Tournament was held at Target Center in 1998 and 1999. In June 2012, it was announced that the arena would play host to the future NCHC tournament games starting in 2014.[19]
| Date | Winning Team | Score | Losing Team | Score | OT | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 9, 1993 | Dallas | 6 | Ottawa | 1 | 14,058 | |
| December 31, 1993 | Philadelphia | 4 | Boston | 3 | 10,855 | |
| January 16, 1994 | Detroit | 6 | Tampa Bay | 3 | 8,764 | |
| March 4, 1994 | Winnipeg | 6 | Ottawa | 1 | 6,388 | |
| March 18, 1994 | Buffalo | 2 | NY Islanders | 2 | (OT) | 8,016 |
| March 27, 1994 | New Jersey | 5 | Quebec | 2 | 6,222 |
Notable events
Target Center has faced competition for concert tours since 2000, when the Xcel Energy Center opened in nearby Saint Paul.[20]
Diana Ross was scheduled to perform during her Return to Love Tour on July 19, 2000, but the show was cancelled, due to low ticket sales.
Skillet broke the all-time attendance record for their winter tour during a snow storm.
WWE has held many events at this venue and is best known for SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005, Bragging Rights 2010, Elimination Chamber 2014, and the first Raw after the death of Eddie Guerrero.
U.S. Bank Theater
Target Center can convert into a 2,500-to-7,500-seat theater known as the U.S. Bank Theater. The Theater contains a moveable floor-to-ceiling curtain system that allows the venue to be transformed based on specific show needs. In addition to concerts, the U.S. Bank Theater can also be used for family and Broadway shows.[21]
Transportation and location
Target Center is a block away from the following Metro Transit stations:
- Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station of the METRO Blue and Green lines
- Ramp A/7th St. Transit Center that serves 11 bus routes
- Ramp B/5th St. Transit Center that serves 10 bus routes
The arena is also across the street from the well-known Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue and an entertainment complex known as Block E. Target Field, is located just across the street from Target Center, and shares the public parking that the arena also uses.[22]
References
- ↑ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2014. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- ↑ Gausman & Moore - Target Center
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Arena Info". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Minnesota Lynx". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "SFX Assumes Management of Target Center". Star Tribune (Minneapolis). October 3, 2000. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Target Center". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Target Center Renovations". RealGM. January 31, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ The People's Celebration
- ↑ Van Pelt, Doug (November 1, 2010). "TobyMac Rocking the Winter Wonder Slam Tour". Hard Music Magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Target Center - Rally for the Republic (Ron Paul)". City-Data. July 24, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ Odum, Charles (October 7, 2011). "Lynx 73, Dream 67". WNBA Enterprises. Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ↑ "Minnesota’s Target Center Completes Green Roof". Environmental Leader. September 29, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ↑ "$155 Million Target Center Renovation Proposed". KMSP. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ↑ Melo, Frederick (May 25, 2012). "Vikings Stadium Wins Minneapolis City Council's Final Approval". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ↑ "Duluth, Minn. Flood Cost Could Reach $80 Million". USA Today. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ↑ Target and Wolves Extend Arena Partnership NBA.com.
- ↑ Lee, Thomas (March 30, 2012). "At Target Field, a Bullseye View of the Game". Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
- ↑ Miller, Chris (June 11, 2012). "Target Center to Play Jost to NCHC Tournament". Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ↑ Reilly, Mark (April 4, 2012). "Xcel Energy Center vs. Target Center Battle Isn't Going Away". Twin Cities Business Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
- ↑ "US Bank Theater". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Parking Information". Target Center. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Target Center. |
- Official website
- Target Center Renovation, Official by the Target Center.
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Metrodome |
Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves 1990 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Minnesota Lynx 1999 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Minnesota Fighting Pike 1996 |
Succeeded by last arena |
| Preceded by Delta Center |
Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1994 |
Succeeded by America West Arena |
| Preceded by Madison Square Garden |
Host of SummerSlam 1999 |
Succeeded by Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena |
| Preceded by Mellon Arena |
Host of WWE Bragging Rights 2010 |
Succeeded by final |
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