1st Mariner Arena
|
|
| 1st Mariner Arena | |
| Facility Statistics | |
| Location | 201 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 |
| Broke Ground | 1961 |
| Opened | 1962 |
| Owner | The City of Baltimore |
| Manager | SMG |
| Architect | |
| Former Names | |
| Baltimore Civic Center | 1961-1986 |
| Baltimore Arena | 1986-2003 |
| Tenants | |
| Baltimore Bullets (NBA) | 1963-1973 |
| Baltimore Blades (WHA) | 1974-1975 |
| Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) | 1984-1985, 1989-1990 |
| Baltimore Thunder (MILL, NLL) | 1987-1999 |
| Baltimore Bayrunners (IBL) | 1999-2000 |
| Baltimore Blast (MISL) | 1980-1992,2001-present |
| Seating Capacity | |
| 2003 Hockey | 11,271 |
| 2003 Concert | 13,500 |
1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland USA was formerly known as the Baltimore Arena when in 2003 it was renamed by 1st Mariner Bank who purchased naming rights to the arena for 10 years. It was reported that 1st Mariner Bank will need to pay the city $75,000 for the next ten years to keep the naming rights to the Baltimore Arena. 1st Mariner Bank Arena is located about a block away from the Baltimore Convention Center on the corner of Baltimore Street and Hopkins Place.
The Arena officially opened in 1962 as the Baltimore Civic Center and was a major cornerstone for the Inner Harbor redevelopment, it was reopened after renovations and was renamed the Baltimore Arena in 1986. The arena itself is 40 years old as of 2003 and is owned by the city and managed by SMG, a private management company. Annually, the 1st Mariner Bank Arena is host to 800,000 people.
A cornerstone to the arena was laid in the arena in 1961 with a vault that included messages from then-U.S. President John F. Kennedy, then-Maryland governor J. Millard Tawes, and then-Baltimore Mayor J. Harold Grady, the vault is expected to be opened in 2061.
The Arena has been host to many events, ranging from boxing, to music, to sports, to wrestling. In 1962 it was host to the boxing match of Joey Giardello vs. Johnny Morris. In 1963, the arena was host to a professional tennis match. Also in 1963, the arena was home to the Baltimore Bullets. In 1964, the arena was host to the popular '60s music group the Beatles. In 1986, the arena was host to the popular Italian Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti.
In 1989, the arena was host to the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships. Three years later it was host to the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, in 1992, the International Olympic Committee held the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials there. In 1995, the arena was host to the NCAA Men's Basketball Division 1 games (Rounds 1 & 2). In 1998, the arena was host to two popular singers, Shania Twain and Elton John. In 1999, the arena was host to Janet Jackson. In 2000, the arena was host to three popular singers, Britney Spears, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. In 2001, the arena was host to the music group U2. The arena has been a continuous host for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestling, Sesame Street Live!, Disney's World On Ice, and the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
On October 16th, 2004, The Baltimore Sun revealed that a official step has started into replacing the 42-year-old 1st Mariner Arena. The Maryland Stadium Authority recently started solicting proposals for a feasibility study on building a arena in downtown Baltimore, the request for proposals are due on November 1st, 2004. According to the request for proposals that was released, the new arena would be built in the same site of 1st Mariner Arena and "would have a smaller seating capacity than would be required for an NHL or NBA team" but it doesn't specify a specific seating capacity. (Source: Ideas solicited for city arena (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.arena16oct16,1,6216653.story) Requires Site Registration)
Related Link
- Official website for 1st Mariner Arena (http://www.baltimorearena.com/)