Independence Arena
| The Big I/The Old Coliseum | |
 |
|
| Former names | Charlotte Coliseum (1955–88) Independence Arena (1993–01) Cricket Arena (2001–08) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2700 East Independence Boulevard Charlotte, North Carolina 28205 |
| Owner | City of Charlotte |
| Operator | Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority |
| Capacity | 8,600 (2015–present) 9,605 (1993–2015) 10,000-14,000 (1955–1988) |
| Field size | 99' x 212' |
| Scoreboard | Daktronics 12.5' x 22' (main screens), 2' x 22' (auxiliary displays) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1953-1955 |
| Opened | 1955 |
| Renovated | 1988–93, 1995, 2015–16 |
| Expanded | 1970, 1992 |
| Closed | 1988 |
| Reopened | 1993 |
| Construction cost | $4 million for Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium ($35.8 million in 2017 dollars) |
| Architect | A.G. Odell and Associates of Charlotte, NC |
| Project manager | James C. Hemphill, Jr. |
| Structural engineer | Severud, Elstad and Krueger of New York, NY |
| General contractor | Thompson and Street Company of Charlotte, NCStructural Steel Fabrication and Erection Southern Engineering Company of Charlotte, NC |
| Tenants | |
|
Carolina Cougars (ABA) (1969–1974) Charlotte Checkers (EHL/SHL) (1956–1977) Charlotte 49ers (NCAA) (1976–88, 1993–96) Carolina Vipers (CISL) (1994) Charlotte Rage (AFL) (1995) Charlotte Cobras (MILL) (1996) Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) (1993–2005) Charlotte Krunk (ABA) (2005) Arena Racing USA (2006–2008) Charlotte Roller Girls (WFTDA) (2008–2009) Carolina Speed (AIFA/SIFL) (2009, 2011) Charlotte Copperheads (PLL) (2012) Charlotte Checkers (AHL) (2015–present) |
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Bojangles' Coliseum (originally Charlotte Coliseum and formerly Independence Arena and Cricket Arena) is a 8,600-seat multi-purpose arena located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which also oversees nearby Ovens Auditorium and the uptown Charlotte Convention Center. The naming-rights sponsor is Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits. The building's signature domed roof is made of tin, and not steel or iron. The dome spans 332 feet in diameter and rises to 112 feet tall.
Construction began on the Coliseum in 1953 after some delays. Gouldie Odell served as project designer; this represented his first major project and he would later found the Odell architecture firm. James C. Hemphill, Jr. oversaw the project. In September 1955 the building was opened and dedicated as the Charlotte Coliseum. At the time, it was the largest unsupported dome in the world and the first free-spanning dome in the United States. Numerous newspapers and architectural magazines ran stories about the building over the following years, especially its dome. Total evacuation time for the entire structure was just four minutes, while seating capacity could be anywhere between 10,000 and 14,000 seats, approximately, depending on the event.
A Billy Graham Crusade took place at the Coliseum in 1958. Graham also dedicated the building when it first opened. Elvis Presley had his first performance at the Coliseum in 1956 and his final one in 1977, being one of numerous musical acts to perform at the Coliseum during this time. In 1958, a massive storm went through the region, damaging the Coliseum's roof. However, the roof held up despite the damage. In 1970, a new north entrance was added that, due to its location, made visitors walk onto the building's upper concourse after purchasing their tickets. This entrance is still used today.
After the new Charlotte Coliseum opened in 1988, the original Coliseum was shuttered since the new building effectively took over all the original Coliseum's duties. However, people soon realized the original Coliseum would still be useful. Over the next five years, an extensive refurbishment was made to the structure, including technology, infrastructure, and accessibility upgrades. Once reopened in 1993, it was considered as an alternate to the larger Coliseum for events that required less seating or overall space. The Charlotte Checkers, the city's minor-league hockey team, were the building's primary tenant. It also got its first name change that same year to Independence Arena. Color TVs were installed inside the concourse and a small restaurant opened for select fans in 1995. In 2001, the arena was renamed Cricket Arena in a naming rights arrangement with Cricket Communications.
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