Fairgrounds Coliseum
The Indiana Farmers Coliseum during the 2015 Indiana State Fair
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| Full name | Indiana Farmers Coliseum |
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| Former names | Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1939–91) Pepsi Coliseum (1991–2012) Fairgrounds Coliseum (Apr. 2014-Dec. 2014) |
| Address | 1202 E 38th St Indianapolis, Indiana 46205 |
| Location | Indiana State Fairgrounds |
| Coordinates | 39°49′39″N 86°8′6″W / 39.82750°N 86.13500°WCoordinates: 39°49′39″N 86°8′6″W / 39.82750°N 86.13500°W |
| Owner | State of Indiana |
| Operator | Indiana State Fair Commission |
| Capacity | 8,000 (original) 6,800 (Basketball) 6,300 (Hockey) 6,800 (End stage) 4,800 (Livestock) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1936 |
| Opened | August 1939 |
| Renovated | 2014 |
| Closed | October 29, 2012—April 23, 2014 |
| Reopened | April 24, 2014 |
| Construction cost | $63 million (Renovation) |
| Architect | Populous |
| Project manager | Hunt Construction Group |
| Tenants | |
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Indianapolis Capitals (AHL) (1939–1952) Indianapolis Chiefs (IHL) (1955–1962) Indianapolis Capitols (CPHL) (1963) Indiana Pacers (ABA) (1967–1974) Indianapolis Checkers (CHL) (1979–1985) Indianapolis Ice (CHL) (1999–2004) Indiana Ice (USHL) (2004–2012) Naptown Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2010–present) IUPUI Jaguars (NCAA) (2014–present) Indy Fuel (ECHL) (2014–present) |
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The Indiana Farmers Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and formerly Pepsi Coliseum and Fairgrounds Coliseum) is an indoor multi-use arena, located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home to both the Indy Fuel, of the ECHL and the IUPUI Jaguars, of the NCAA.
Originally opened in 1939 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (part of the New Deal), the Coliseum has hosted numerous historical events, including the only performances ever held in Indiana by The Beatles.
On October 26, 2012, the Coliseum held a "Lights Out" ceremony and closed for renovations. On April 24, 2014, after a 17-month, $53 million renovation, the Coliseum re-opened.
In December 2014, the Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company entered into a ten-year agreement with the Indiana State Fair Commission to re-christen the arena as the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a propane leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 74 people. A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building, but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's lobby.
The venue was home to the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1974. The Pacers were very successful in their tenure at the Coliseum, winning three ABA Championships. They captured the ABA titles in 1969–70, defeating the Los Angeles Stars in 6 games, in 1971–72, defeating the New York Nets in 6 games, and in the 1972–73 season, defeating the Kentucky Colonels in 7 games. The team moved to Market Square Arena in 1974. In 1976, the Pacers became a franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) when the ABA merged with the NBA.
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