Androscoggin Bank Colisée
|
Colisée The ABC | |
|
 | |
| Former names |
Central Maine Youth Center (1958–1989) Central Maine Civic Center (1989–2004) Colisee (2004–2006) |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewiston, Maine |
| Owner | Firland Management, LLC (2008–present)[1] |
| Operator | Firland Management, LLC |
| Capacity | 3,677 (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1956 |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Construction cost | $1 million, with renovations $5 million |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Tenants | |
|
Maine Nordiques (NAHL) (1973–1977) Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL) (2003–2011) Portland Pirates (AHL) (2013–2014) L/A Fighting Spirit (NA3EHL/NA3HL) (2015–present) | |
The Androscoggin Bank Colisée (formerly Central Maine Civic Center and Lewiston Colisee) is a 4,000 capacity (3,677 seated) multi-purpose arena, in Lewiston, Maine, that opened in 1958.
It is the former home of the now-defunct Lewiston Maineiacs ice hockey team and was the home arena for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League for the 2013–2014 season. Currently, it is the home of the L/A Fighting Spirit, another ice hockey team.
History
The Androscoggin Bank Colisée (formerly the Central Maine Youth Center, and the Central Maine Civic Center) was built in 1958–1959 to replace St. Dominics Regional High School Arena. It was initially constructed and operated by the Catholic parish of SS. Peter and Paul.
The Maine Nordiques were the primary tenant at the Civic Center from 1973 to 1977. The Nordiques were members of the old North American Hockey League.
The Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association played exhibition games at the Civic Center taking advantage of what was at the time the largest portable floor in the world. The founder of the Celtics, Walter A. Brown, had a financial hand in the building’s construction.
It was the venue for the WBC Heavyweight boxing championship rematch between former champ Sonny Liston and reigning champion Muhammad Ali. On May 25, 1965, Ali beat Liston in under three minutes.
In 1989, the Catholic Diocese of Portland sold the Central Maine Civic Center to Roger Theriault and Frank Corrao for $100,000; they were unable to get the original $700,000 asking price.
In 2003, The Lewiston Maineiacs came to the Central Maine Civic Center based on a promise that the arena would be renovated. The City of Lewiston bought the building for $250,000 and carried the $4.7 million debt; it was renamed the Lewiston Colisee. In 2006, Androscoggin Bank, a Lewiston-headquartered bank, purchased naming rights. It has since been known as the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. In 2007, the Lewiston Maineiacs won the Presidents Cup, the QMJHL league championship.
The Federal Hockey League held five home games at the arena in 2011–12.
Due to renovations to the Cumberland County Civic Center, the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League were scheduled to play six home games at the Colisee during the 2012–13 AHL season until the Civic Center reopened. However, the Pirates' lease agreement with Civic Center trustees broke apart in a dispute over food sales.[2] The Pirates subsequently played their entire 2013–2014 home schedule at the Colisée.[3] The dispute was finally resolved in 2014, allowing the Pirates to return to Cross Insurance Arena for the 2014-15 AHL season.
On December 16, 2014, it was announced the New Hampshire Fighting Spirit from the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League would relocate to Lewiston and play home games at the Colisee as the L/A Fighting Spirit (with the L/A standing for Lewiston-Auburn) beginning with the 2015–16 season.[4] As of 2016, the Fighting Spirit play in the North American 3 Hockey League.
Other uses
The Colisee is also used for concerts, conventions and trade shows. There is 17,000 square feet (1600 m²) of exhibit space. For conventions, the Colisee can accommodate up to 4,800 patrons.
On March 19, 1977, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played their only show in the state of Maine at the venue.
Bob Dylan performed at the venue on November 13, 2000, May 17, 2008 and on April 10, 2013.
References
- ↑
- ↑ Hall, Jessica (August 31, 2013). "Civic Center, Pirates in standoff over concessions". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ↑ Lowe, Mike (September 26, 2013). "Portland Pirates leave Cumberland County Civic Center". Kennebec Journal. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Fighting Spirit to relocate to Lewiston, Maine". NA3EHL. December 16, 2014.
External links
Coordinates: 44°5′44″N 70°12′19″W / 44.09556°N 70.20528°W