BMO Harris Bank Center
| "The Big Orange Box" | |
| Former names | Rockford MetroCentre (1981-2011) |
|---|---|
| Location | 300 Elm Street Rockford, IL 61101 |
| Coordinates | 42°16′12.95″N 89°5′45.9″W / 42.2702639°N 89.096083°WCoordinates: 42°16′12.95″N 89°5′45.9″W / 42.2702639°N 89.096083°W |
| Owner | Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority |
| Operator | SMG |
| Capacity |
Concerts: 10,000 Basketball: 7,669 Ice hockey: 5,895 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | February 7, 1979 |
| Built | 1979-1981 |
| Opened | January 31, 1981 |
| Construction cost | $15.7 million ($41.4 million in 2016 dollars) $20 million (renovation) ($22.2 million in 2016 dollars) |
| Architect | Larson & Darby DLR Group (renovation) |
| Tenants | |
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Rockford Metros (AFL) (1986) Rockford Lightning (CBA) (1986–2006) Rockford IceHogs (UHL) (1999–2007) Rock River Raptors (UIF/CIFL) (2006–2009) Rockford IceHogs (AHL) (2007–present) Rockford Rampage (MISL) (2008–2010) Chicago Rush (AFL) (2013) |
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The BMO Harris Bank Center (formerly known as Rockford MetroCentre) is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team. The arena formerly served as the home of several defunct minor league sports teams, including the Rockford Lightning basketball team, the Rock River Raptors indoor football team, and the Rockford Rampage indoor soccer team.
The BMO Harris Bank Center also secured a spot in history when it hosted the first Arena Football League test game in 1986 between the Chicago Politicians and the Rockford Metros. Due to its outdoor appearance it is often referred to as the "Big Orange Box", although IceHogs officials refer to the arena as "the Barnyard".
The opening night gala in 1981 was headlined by Bob Hope and Lynda Carter. Certainly the most significant event in BMO Harris Bank Center history occurred in the inaugural year, when The Rolling Stones made an appearance on their 1981 North American Tour on October 1, 1981. The concert was added to the tour in response to a radio station petition drive. The actual petitions were cut up and used to hold a lottery for the right to buy tickets. Each person drawn could purchase two of the $15 tickets.
The facility hosted the 1984 and 1986 Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournaments as well as numerous IHSA basketball sectional and super-sectional tournaments. In addition to athletic events, it hosts concerts, conventions, and local high school graduations.
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