Cumberland County Civic Center
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| Former names | Cumberland County Civic Center (1977–2014) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Civic Center Square Portland, Maine 04101 |
| Coordinates | 43°39′20″N 70°15′33″W / 43.65556°N 70.25917°WCoordinates: 43°39′20″N 70°15′33″W / 43.65556°N 70.25917°W |
| Owner | Cumberland County |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Capacity | Seats: 6,733 Concerts: 9,500 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1975 |
| Opened | March 3, 1977 |
| Renovated | October 2012–February 2014 |
| Construction cost | US$8 million ($31.6 million in 2017 dollars) |
| Architect |
Eduardo Catalano Architects E. Crawley Cooper (original) Sink Combs Dethlefs & WBRC Architects (renovation) |
| Tenants | |
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Maine Mariners (AHL) (1977–1992) America East Conference Men's Basketball Tournament (1980) Portland Pirates (AHL) (1993–2013, 2014–2016) |
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Cross Insurance Arena (formerly Cumberland County Civic Center) is a multi-purpose arena located in Portland, Maine. Built in 1977, at a cost of US$8 million, it was the home arena for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League for 23 seasons until 2016. There are 6,733 permanent seats in the arena, and it seats up to 9,500 for concerts.
The inside consists of one deck rising 24 rows, 14 seats across at its widest, and 30 separated sections around. The arena floor features 34,500 square feet (3,210 m2) of space, making it useful for trade shows and conventions in addition to sports and concerts.
The arena has had a unique history of having locals sponsor individual seats at the arena. Those who pay to sponsor seats at the Cross Insurance Arena can have their name engraved on their seats or dedicate the seat to someone they know.
The arena's official name is the George I. Lewis Auditorium at Cross Insurance Arena. The press box is named for sportscasting legend, the late Frank Fixaris.
ZZ Top was the very first headline act (The Blend was the opener) to play the arena, when it opened on March 3, 1977.
Elvis Presley was to have flown from Memphis to Portland on August 16, 1977 for a performance at the arena the following day, but he was found dead at Graceland that morning. A re-enactment of the preparations for the Portland show is featured in the bio film This Is Elvis.
KISS were scheduled to conclude the 4th leg of their Alive/Worldwide Tour on November 16, 1996, but the show was cancelled.
The venue also hosted the America East Conference (then the ECAC North) men's basketball tournament in 1980. Billy Graham's Maine Crusade took place at the arena in 1981.
Two AHL hockey clubs that have called the arena home, include the Portland Pirates and 3 time Calder Cup champions, the Maine Mariners.
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