CenturyLink Center Omaha
Creighton Bluejays (NCAA, since 2003) Omaha Mavericks (NCAA, since 2003)
The CenturyLink Center Omaha ( until the end of 2011 Qwest Center Omaha ) is an exhibition and convention center with a multi-purpose hall in Omaha, Nebraska. The center is built on an area of almost 93,000 m², with an approximately 18,000 m² exhibition hall and about 5800 m² for conferences. In the integrated, up to 18,975 persons which, Hall basketball and ice hockey games and concerts.
- 4.1 Sport
- 4.2 Concerts
- 4.3 Fairs and Conferences
Geography
The CenturyLink Center is located on a site of the former Union Pacific Railroad in North Downtown. From the Old Market, it is separated by the Highway I -480, through which the center can be reached directly.
History
Planning and construction
Despite the Omaha Civic Auditorium renovation of 1997, there were, supported by consultants, plans a new convention center to build with Arena. A Commission recommended it in November 1997, the Union Pacific Land in North Downtown or on an adjoining Old Market area in the south east of Downtown. The preferred site of the Commission in the southeast of Downtown would have had a tax increase resulted was therefore not supported by the Nebraska Legislature and rejected in 1998. In the fall of 1998, the plan for the edification of present place, with private funds rather than a tax increase arose.
In May 2000, Omaha voters favor bonds of $ 198 million for the construction of the center and the establishment of non-profit organization Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authorithy ( MECA ), which would be responsible for the construction and operation. The day before commitments of $ 75 million from private sponsors have been made for the project, with one third of them came from the Peter Kiewit Foundation. MECA received a lease for 99 years for the Center in August 2000. Since 2004, MECA is also responsible for the operation of the Omaha Civic Auditorium, and since 2009 for the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
In the period from March 2001 to September 2003, the Center of Kiewit was built, the Architekurunternehmen was the DLR Group.
Naming rights
In August 2003, Qwest signed a contract for over 15 years and $ 14.05 million for the naming rights with MECA. After Qwest was acquired by CenturyLink in early 2011, the name of the Center was changed to July 15, 2011 at CenturyLink Center Omaha.
Extension
In the summer of 2006, the Hall was extended in 1700 places.
Capacity
At concerts, the hall can use 18,100 or 18,975 spectators, depending on the position of the stage. For hockey games room for 17,100 visitors, basketball games can visit 18,320 people.
Use
Sports
Since the opening of the arena of the basketball team Creighton Bluejays of Creighton University and the hockey team Omaha Mavericks used the University of Nebraska at Omaha for home games. Both teams play in leagues in the NCAA and were previously located in the Civic Auditorium.
Other sporting events that are held here about the Men's Division I Basketball Tournament 2008 and 2012, the NCAA, WWE Judgement Day 2008 and the Olympic Trials in the United States, also in 2008.
Concerts
Concerts in the center, there were, among others, as part of tours by Britney Spears ( The Onyx Hotel Tour, 2004), Christina Aguilera ( Back to Basics World Tour, 2007), Miley Cyrus ( Wonderworld Tour, 2009) and Bon Jovi ( Because We Can: The Tour, 2013).
Trade Shows and Conferences
Since 2005, the annual shareholder meeting of Warren Buffet 's Berkshire Hathaway holding company with over 35,000 shareholders will be held at the Center. In addition, numerous other conferences and trade shows are held each year.