Van Andel Arena

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Van Andel Arena
"The Freezer on Fulton"
Van Andel Arena.jpg
Van Andel Arena 2021.jpg
Van Andel Arena is located in Grand Rapids
Van Andel Arena
Van Andel Arena
Location within Grand Rapids
Location130 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Coordinates42°57′44″N 85°40′19″W / 42.96222°N 85.67194°W / 42.96222; -85.67194Coordinates: 42°57′44″N 85°40′19″W / 42.96222°N 85.67194°W / 42.96222; -85.67194
OwnerGrand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority
OperatorSMG
CapacityIce Hockey: 11,000
Arena Football: 10,618
Basketball: 11,500
Concerts: 13,184
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 8, 1995[1]
OpenedOctober 8, 1996
Construction cost$77 million
($127 million in 2020 dollars[2])
ArchitectRossetti Architects[3]
Structural engineerMcClurg & Associates, Inc.[3]
Services engineerURS Greiner, Inc./Henderson[3]
General contractorHunt/Erhardt Joint Venture[3]
Tenants
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) (1996–present)
Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1996–2001)
Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) (1998–2008)
Website
www.vanandelarena.com

Van Andel Arena is a 12,000 plus seat multi-purpose arena, situated in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The arena attracted over five million patrons in its first 5 years, 1995-2001. It is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, the top minor league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, with fans giving it the nickname "The Freezer on Fulton".[4] Van Andel Arena is the fourth-largest arena in Michigan, as well as West Michigan's largest; only Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, and the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are larger.

Background[]

After a $75 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996. The 12,000 plus seat arena is managed by ASM Global. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors, Jay and Betty Van Andel.

The arena was the home court of the now defunct Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association from 1996 to 2001 and the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League from 1998 to 2008.

It has been hosts to acts such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Metallica, Phish, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Eagles, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Aerosmith, Ariana Grande, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Roger Waters, The Who, Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avenged Sevenfold, Rush, TLC, Marilyn Manson, Kenny Chesney, OneRepublic, Katy Perry, P!nk, The Harlem Globetrotters, World Wrestling Entertainment, Disney, Disney on Ice, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL ArenaBowl XV game, professional boxing and basketball exhibition games for the Detroit Pistons, Michigan State University Basketball & Grand Valley State University.

Description[]

As a concert venue, the Van Andel Arena seats 12,858 for end-stage shows, and 13,184 for center-stage shows. The arena floor measures 85 by 220 feet (26 m × 67 m) and features 9,886 permanent seats, of which 1,800 are club seats and 44 luxury suites, with the 16 luxury suites in the upper bowl seating 20 each, and the lower 24 bowls seating 15, and the others at 18. In addition, there are 1,300 retractable seats.

Concerts

In Popular Culture[]

The Arena and Grand Rapids Griffins are featured briefly in a sketch on the comedy show Nick Swardson's Pretend Time, in which Nick attempts to propose but is instead repeatedly hit in the face with hockey pucks.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "About Us". Grand Action. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  2. ^ 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 January 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "1997 AIA Michigan Design Honor Award". American Institute of Architects in Michigan. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  4. ^ "Disney on Ice comes to Van Andel Arena". WZZM. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  5. ^ "Comedy Central Sketch Show Nick Swardson's Pretend Time". www.mlive.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.

External links[]

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