The Appalachian Wireless Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Pikeville, Kentucky. Opened in October 2005, it hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. The facility, which can seat 7,000 for concerts and 5,700 for sporting events, is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and managed by the City of Pikeville.
 | |
| Former names | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center (2005-2019) |
|---|---|
| Location | 126 Main Street Pikeville, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37°28′54″N 82°30′54″W / 37.481542°N 82.515054°W |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| Operator | City of Pikeville |
| Capacity | 7,000 (concerts) 5,700 (sporting events) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 2005[1] |
| Construction cost | $29 million ($45.2 million in 2023 dollars[2])[1] |
| Website | |
| https://www.appalachianwirelessarena.com | |
History
editFrom 2005 to 2019, the facility was named the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, however in June 2019 naming rights were sold to Appalachian Wireless, as part of a 5-year, $85,000/year contract.[3][4]
On October 22, 2022, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball played the annual Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage, normally held at Rupp Arena at Appalachian Wireless Arena to raise money for relief due to the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. The event raised over $160,000.[5]
About
edit- 7,000-seat arena[6]
- 26,000 sq. feet facility— 24,000 sq. foot arena floor
- 5,000 sq. feet of meeting room/ballroom space with sub divisible wall
- Boardroom space for smaller meetings
- 3 Levels: event level, main concourse, upper level
- 5 concession stands around the main concourse level
- Full Service Food & Beverage Department by Elite Catering
Tenants
edit| Club | Sport | Years Active | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Drillers | Arena Football | 2011–2013 | CIFL, UIFL |
| UPike Bears | Basketball | 2005–present | NAIA |
| East Kentucky Drillers | Arena Football | 2011–2012 | UIFL |
| East Kentucky Energy | Basketball | 2010–2012 | ABA |
| East Kentucky Miners | Basketball | 2007–2009 | CBA |
References
edit- ^ a b Description of the Venue
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Chris. "Expo officially becomes Appalachian Wireless Arena". Appalachian News-Express. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "New Name Going Up at Kentucky Arena". VenuesNow. July 11, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ Letcher, Tim. "White Tops Blue; Cats Raise over $160,000 for Eastern Kentucky". Kentucky Wildcats. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
- ^ About Us Archived 2014-06-15 at the Wayback Machine Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. Retrieved 2014-07-08.