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Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center

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Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center was a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena and convention center in Niagara Falls, New York from January 12, 1974, to 2002.

Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center
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Full nameNiagara Falls Convention and Civic Center
Address310 4th Street
LocationNiagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Coordinates43°05′10″N 79°03′25″W / 43.086°N 79.057°W / 43.086; -79.057
TypeMulti-purpose arena
Convention center
Genre(s)Concerts
Sporting events
Capacity10,000
Construction
OpenedJanuary 12, 1974 (January 12, 1974)
Closed2002
ArchitectJohnson/Burgee Architects

Planning and construction

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The venue was built in 1973 as part of an urban renewal project in the city of Niagara Falls. It was built in the center of a main thoroughfare, Falls Street, and blocked traffic to Niagara Falls State Park. It also eliminated Jefferson Avenue and Erie Avenue, two main thoroughfares.

The building was designed by Johnson/Burgee Architects in collaboration with Jane Davis Doggett. Its arched design was inspired by the rainbows commonly seen over Niagara Falls, according to architect Philip Johnson. Locals jokingly noted its resemblance to a Quonset hut.

Notable events

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Music

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Elvis Presley played two shows at the venue in June 1974 and two shows at the venue in July 1975.[1]

Bob Dylan played the venue as part of his Rolling Thunder Revue Tour in November 1975.[2]

Frank Sinatra played the venue in May 1990.[3]

David Bowie played the venue as part of his Sound+Vision Tour in July 1990.[4]

Phish recorded their live album Niagara Falls at the venue in December 1995.

The Notorious B.I.G performed at the venue in June 1996 and was supported by Jay-Z, Junior MAFIA and Mary J. Blige.

Sports

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The venue was home to the NCAA's Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team from 1973 to 1982 and again from 1988 to 1996.

The venue hosted the ABC Masters bowling tournament in 1983 and 1987.[5]

World Wrestling Federation (WWF) presented 22 events at the venue between 1984 and 1997, including two tapings of WWF Wrestling Challenge.

In March 1992, a spectator was killed during a USHRA Monster Jam show at the venue when the driver of Bad Medicine became incapacitated and veered his truck into the stands. 82-year-old Lester Gilliam pushed a young boy out of harm's way and was then struck by the vehicle.[6]

The venue hosted the gymnastics portion of the 1993 Summer Universiade in July 1993.[7]

UFC 12 was scheduled to take place at the venue in February 1997, but mixed martial arts was banned in New York State the day before the event, forcing its relocation to Dothan, Alabama.

Joe Mesi defeated Jorge Luis Gonzalez in a professional boxing card at the venue in April 2001. Mesi would later defeat Bert Cooper at the venue in July 2001.[8]

Other

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The venue was host to Miss USA 1974, Miss USA 1975, and Miss USA 1976.

The Royal Lipizzan Stallions 30th-anniversary show in 2000.[9]

In 1980, the venue began hosting the city's annual Festival of Lights to commemorate the Christmas season.[10]

Closure

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The venue was closed in 2002 and converted into Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, which remains in operation. The 4,000-seat Niagara Falls Conference Center was opened across the street from the casino in 2004.[11] Niagara Falls, Ontario took over hosting the Festival of Lights in 2004.[10]

 
Niagara Falls Convention Center (NFCC)

NFCC

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In 2004, a new Niagara Falls Convention Center (NFCC) opened on Old Falls Street. The Old Falls Street venue has 116,000 square feet for exhibitions and meetings, and a 32,200-square-foot event/exhibit hall.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, Niagara Falls, NY, USA Concert Setlists | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
  2. ^ "Bob Dylan Setlist at Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, Niagara Falls". setlist.fm.
  3. ^ "Frank Sinatra Setlist at Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, Niagara Falls". setlist.fm.
  4. ^ "David Bowie Setlist at Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, Niagara Falls". setlist.fm.
  5. ^ United States Bowling Congress. "Open Championships Home – Past Results and History".
  6. ^ "82-Year-Old Man Is Killed at Truck Show". The New York Times. 1992-03-09. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  7. ^ DESMOND, STEPHANIE. "GAMES PLANNERS PROMISE 'WORLD-CLASS' COMPETITION ORGANIZERS RELEASE TENTATIVE EVENTS SCHEDULE". The Buffalo News.
  8. ^ "Joe Mesi". boxrec.com.
  9. ^ "Lipizzan Stallions' Anniversary Tour Brings Them to Convention Center". 2021-10-15.
  10. ^ a b "History of the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Canada". Clifton Hill Blog. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  11. ^ "Conference Center Niagara Falls & Old Falls Street". Empire State Development.
  12. ^ "Niagara Falls Conference Center". Empire State Development. State of New York. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
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