Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center

Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center
Former names IMA Sports Arena
Perani Arena and Event Center
Location 3501 Lapeer Road
Flint, Michigan 48503
Owner IMS Hockey Corp.
Operator IMS Hockey Corp.
Capacity Concerts: 6,469
Ice Hockey: 4,021
Boxing: 5,109
Surface Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground 1967
Opened October 1969
Construction cost $10 million
($65.3 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Tenants
Flint Generals (IHL) (1969–1985)
Flint Spirits (IHL) (1985–1990)
Flint Bulldogs (CoHL) (1991–1993)
Flint Generals (UHL/IHL) (1993–2010)
Flint Flames (IFL) (2000)
Flint Fuze (CBA) (2000–2001)
Michigan Pirates (CIFL) (2007)
Flint Phantoms (CIFL) (2008)
Michigan Warriors (NAHL) (2010–2015)
Flint Firebirds (OHL) (2015–present)
Waza Flo (MASL) (2015–present)

Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center (originally IMA Sports Arena and formerly Perani Arena and Event Center) is a sports, entertainment and convention venue located in Flint, Michigan. It opened in 1969.

Facilities

Exterior

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. The second arena in the complex features 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.

Initially named the IMA an acronym for the Industrial Mutual Association. Being the second such complex in Flint, MI. named the IMA. The original IMA was torn down and replaced at this new location.

The complex was named for Bob Perani, owner of Perani's Hockey World, a sports equipment retailer in Flint. 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.

Tenants

Current

On January 13, 2015, the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League announced they would be relocated to Flint and will play at Perani Arena, with OHL approval.[2][3] That team is now known as the Flint Firebirds.[4]

In September 2015, the Detroit Waza of the Major Arena Soccer League announced their relocation to Flint. The team will operate as simply "Waza Flo" during the 2015–16 Major Arena Soccer League season.[5]

Local high schools and colleges use the arena for their commencement ceremonies. Perani Arena is also usually the first stop for the Shrine Circus every year. The Perani Arena also holds the General RV Show every year.

Former

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 and departed in 2010. From 2010 through 2015, The arena was the home the Michigan Warriors of the North American Hockey League.

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. While the Pirates folded, Perani Arena was home to the CIFL expansion team Flint Phantoms for the 2008 season.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Report: Plymouth Whalers to announce move to Flint". Detroit Free Press. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ Bartkowiak, Dave (January 14, 2015). "Plymouth Whalers to relocate to Flint". Click On Detroit. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ McMann, Aaron (March 16, 2015). "'Flint Firebirds' unveiled as name for Flint's new OHL team". The Flint Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2015 – via MLive.com.
  5. ↑ Woodyard, Eric (September 29, 2015). "Major Arena Soccer League team moves home games to Flint's Dort Federal Event Center". The Flint Journal. Flint, MI: Booth Newspapers. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  6. ↑ Flint Phantoms Professional Indoor Football

Coordinates: 43°0′40″N 83°38′31″W / 43.01111°N 83.64194°W / 43.01111; -83.64194

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