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Adirondack Bank Center

From Alfawiki
Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium
Company typeArena / Venue
IndustrySports and entertainment
PredecessorUtica Memorial Auditorium
FoundedMarch 13, 1960; 66 years ago (1960-03-13) in Utica, New York, United States
FounderJohn T. McKennan (initiator), Gilbert Seltzer (architect)
FateRenamed Adirondack Bank Center in 2017
Headquarters
Utica
,
United States
Area served
Utica, New York and surrounding region
Key people
Mohawk Valley Garden (management)
ProductsVenue for ice hockey, indoor soccer, concerts, mixed martial arts, and other events
Websitewww.adirondackbankcenter.com

Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium

The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium is a versatile arena located in Utica, New York, offering seating for 3,999 spectators and accommodating up to 5,700 attendees for concerts. Commonly referred to as the Aud, this venue serves as the home ice for the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, as well as hosting Utica City FC from the Major Arena Soccer League. Management of the arena, alongside the adjacent Nexus Center and its resident teams, falls under Mohawk Valley Garden.

In 2011, the American Society of Civil Engineers honored the facility with a designation as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark due to its pioneering cable-suspended roof architecture.

History

The conception of the Utica Memorial Auditorium was driven by then-mayor John T. McKennan, who identified the need for a dedicated venue in Utica for sports and entertainment events. Under McKennan’s leadership, with Frank M. Romano at the helm of his administration, architect Gilbert Seltzer was commissioned to design the structure.[1] Construction commenced on April 15, 1957, on land adjacent to the former Erie Canal. This arena was distinguished by its groundbreaking pre-stressed dual cable roof system—the first of its kind globally—engineered by Lev Zetlin, who later collaborated on notable projects such as the New York State Pavilion and Utica’s Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute alongside Philip Johnson.[2] The tensioning technique applied to the roof was developed by John A. Roebling's Sons Company.[3] Zetlin’s innovative approach influenced numerous contemporary dome constructions, including that of Madison Square Garden.[4] Architect Seltzer considered "The Aud" his most significant achievement, describing it as "the first successful application of cables in a roof structure."

Among early arenas, "The Aud" was notable for incorporating telescopic seating designed to enhance spectator comfort, moving away from conventional bleacher arrangements.[5]

Finished in 1959, this auditorium was one of only three venues constructed without any obstructed sightlines. Its opening event occurred on March 13, 1960, featuring the Greater Utica Industrial Exposition and attracting an audience of approximately 45,000.[6] The venue hosted the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship in 1962 and later welcomed the Division III "Frozen Four" in 2017.[7]

Culturally, the auditorium gained prominence as a filming location for the 1977 movie Slap Shot, featuring Paul Newman. Its original center-hung scoreboard combined digital and analog clock elements uniquely. Over time, it has also been a stage for major concerts such as Santana in 1973 and one of Elvis Presley’s final scheduled performances in August 1977.

Acknowledging its engineering significance, in 2011 the American Society of Civil Engineers designated Utica Memorial Auditorium as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.[3]

On June 14, 2013, the AHL's Peoria Rivermen, affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks, relocated to Utica and rebranded as the Utica Comets. This move strengthened AHL operations within New York State and optimized travel logistics.[8] The Comets played their inaugural home game on October 23, 2013.

In addition to professional hockey, "The Aud" supports collegiate hockey with men's and women's teams from Utica University competing at NCAA Division III level. It also accommodates youth hockey programs such as Jr. Comets and several high school varsity squads. Past tenants have included teams from leagues like the North American Hockey League and United Hockey League. The Pioneers consistently rank among national leaders in average attendance for Division III hockey.

Within hockey communities, this arena has received high praise: Complex Magazine ranked it #8 among “The 10 Coolest Hockey Rinks,”[9] Stadium Journey placed it eighth among AHL arenas,[10] while Pure Hockey Blog rated it #4 on their list of top rinks.[11]

Permanent exhibitions featuring photographs and architectural renderings of the auditorium are displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in recognition of its landmark status.[12]

Facility enhancements included installation of two new video boards in 2015 along with other upgrades.[13]

A naming rights agreement secured on September 27, 2017, led to rebranding as Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium for a decade-long term.[14]

Later that year saw a $10.55 million state-supported expansion project that introduced a new main entrance, executive suites, modernized restrooms, updated sprinkler systems, and additional amenities. This renovation also included development of "72 Tavern & Grill," named after the arena’s distinctive roof support cables.[15][16]

On June 1, 2018, Adirondack Bank Center hosted UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes.

Subsequently on June 13, 2018, announcements confirmed that Utica would field a Major Arena Soccer League franchise—Utica City FC—beginning play at Adirondack Bank Center for the 2018–19 season; this team was formerly known as Syracuse Silver Knights.[17]

Adjacent to "The Aud," connected via an indoor passageway, is the Nexus Center sports complex which opened in 2022. It features three adaptable playing surfaces suitable for ice hockey or turf-based sports like indoor soccer. The largest arena accommodates up to 1,200 spectators with luxury suites and serves as home to Utica University women’s ice hockey team, Utica Junior Comets, and Utica Yeti Lacrosse teams.[18][19] In 2023 Utica University acquired naming rights for this facility.

In December 2023, the Professional Women's Hockey League held its five-day evaluation camp at Nexus Center ahead of its inaugural season; all six PWHL franchises took part.[20] Together with Adirondack Bank Center, Nexus hosted the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship in April where Canada secured gold,[21][22] followed by hosting duties for the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in September where Canada won men’s titles and USA claimed women’s championships.[23]

In December of 2024, Adirondack Bank Center became home to North America’s first full-circle (360-degree) LED dasher boards—the only installation among seven worldwide—offering enhanced opportunities for fan interaction and advertising displays.[24][25]

High school athletics

Until 2015, the New York State Ice Hockey semi-final and final matches were frequently held at Utica Memorial Auditorium, before the NYSPHSAA relocated the competition to Buffalo's HarborCenter. Additionally, the venue was the site of the 11th NYSPHSAA state wrestling championship in 1973, although this tournament has not been hosted there since.

Further reading

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named archeng
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