PNC Arena
Carolina Hurricanes (NHL, 1999 ) NC State Wolfpack (NCAA since 1999) Carolina Cobras (AFL, 2000-2002)
The PNC Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Raleigh, North Carolina for hockey and basketball. The arena is home to the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL and the basketball team at North Carolina State University who call themselves Wolfpack and in the NCAA Division I play. Between 2000 and 2002 also the Carolina Cobras their home games wore out of the arena Football League from here.
In the immediate vicinity of the arena is the Carter - Finley Stadium (home of Wolfpack Football teams), the exhibition center of the state, North Carolina State Fair, and Dorton Arena.
In basketball games can hold up to 19 722 spectators the arena, at the hockey games, see 18.730 spectators. For affluent viewers are 75 luxury suites and 2,000 club seats available. The building has three floors and houses a restaurant with 500 seats.
History
The idea of a new basketball arena was built in the 80s by the now deceased coach of the Wolfpack, Jim Valvano. 1989 approved the administration of the University to build an arena with 23,000 seats. For the management and operation of the system was established by the government of North Carolina, the Centennial Authority, which was financed by funds from the state, local funds and donations from the university. Instead of a pure basketball arena was a multi-purpose arena, among other things, was favored because of the plans to move the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh. In 1997, the foundation stone was laid and completed the construction in 1999, the construction costs amounted to 158 million U.S. dollars, which were largely financed by a hotel and restaurant tax. In addition, the Hurricanes with 20 million and the state of North Carolina with 18 million U.S. dollars involved in the construction costs.
From the opening until 2002 was called the Arena Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena ( ESA), but it was one long looking for a company that wanted to buy the naming rights for the arena. This took place in 2002 at the RBC Centura, the U.S. branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, which for 20 years acquired the naming rights ( 80 million U.S. dollars). Then called the Arena RBC Center. The RBC Centura was acquired by PNC Financial Services Company on 19 June 2011, hence the name change to PNC Arena took place on March 15, 2012.
One of the most memorable moments in the short history of the arena took place on 19 June 2006 when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in a home game.
Events
- WWF Summerslam 2000
- 2002 Stanley Cup Finals
- 2004 NCAA: Division I Basketball Championship first round
- 2004 NHL Entry Draft
- 2006 Stanley Cup Finals
Swell
- NCSU Athletics. RBC Center, accessed on 12 July 2004.
- RBC Center: History, accessed on 12 July 2004.
- The Hockey News. 59.37 (2006): 6