McMorran Arena is a 4,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Port Huron, Michigan initially built in 1960 for $3.5 million in downtown Port Huron. The arena was originally designed to seat 3,400 for hockey and football, and 4,800 for concerts. McMorran arena is part of the McMorran Place which consist of The Arena, The Pavilion, and The Theatre. The structure's were designed by Alden Dow.

Sports

The arena has been the home arena to many sports teams over the years such as, The Port Huron Flags, The Port Huron Border Cats, The Beacons, The Port Huron Pirates, and the current team using the arena The Port Huron Icehawks.

The Arena

The arena seats 3,400 for ice hockey and indoor football and 4,800 for concerts. The arena floor measures 85 feet by 185 feet (27 by 62 metres). The dasher boards have 8 ft. glass on the ends and 4 ft. glass on the sides for ice hockey. The arena is also used for conventions, circuses, ice shows, trade shows, and banquets, among other events.The arena has hosted many major headlining musicians throughout the years such as KISS, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Rush, Ozzy Osbourne, Ratt, Johnny Cash. Many political leaders have visited the arena throughout the years also.

The Pavilion

The pavilion features 25,000 square feet (2500 m²) of space for sporting events, trade shows, banquets, meetings, and conventions.

The Theatre

The 1,157-seat theatre is used for Broadway shows, movies, concerts, and other stage events. It features not only excellent acoustics and sight lines, but also a stage curtain, also designed by Alden Dow. It is home to the International Symphony Orchestra and the Port Huron Civic Theatre.

In addition there is a meeting room and a lounge at the complex. Outside the building a 22-foot diameter clock and the Night and Day fountain, both by sculptor Marshall Fredericks. Two more banquet rooms will be added in the near future.

Future Expansion

Future plans for the arena involve expanding and modernizing, adding more seats and suites to bring in bigger crowds. The proposals include expanding the ice rink to regulation size, new seats, removing the sound baffles, new scoreboard, widening the arena to add more seats and suite boxes to accommodate more people, and remodeling the exterior of the building including connecting the arena to the pavilion.

See also

• List of concert halls

References

1. http://www.mcmorran.com/arena.htm

External links

• McMorran Place Web Site