Giant Center

Giant Center
Location	950 West Hersheypark Drive Hershey, PA 17033
Broke ground	November 8, 2000
Opened	October 15, 2002
Owner	Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority
Operator	Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Construction cost	$65 million ($79.4 million in 2012 dollars)
Architect	Populous
Structural engineer	Century Engineering
General Contractor	Hunt/Whiting-Turner
Capacity	12,500 for in-the-round concerts, 10,500 for hockey
Field dimensions	17,000 square feet (1,600 m2)
Tenants
Hershey Bears (AHL) (2002–present) Hershey Haymakers (NALL) (2012-future)

The Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League since 1938. Additionally, professional lacrosse was added in the form of the Hershey Haymakers, a member of the North American Lacrosse League, in 2011. Giant Center replaced the Hersheypark Arena as the Bears' home venue in 2002. The Giant Center is owned by the Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority, as much of the money for its construction was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is operated by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, with the naming rights owned by the Giant-Carlisle grocery store chain based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

History

In addition to Bears games, the Giant Center also hosts an annual concert series and attracts many well-known entertainers. The first performance at the arena was by Cher and has since continued to host a wide variety of popular acts, including American Idol Live! and the Harlem Globetrotters. In 2003, Giant Center held the WWE's Unforgiven. The Giant Center also hosted the Road to Victory rally for Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain, and his running mate, Sarah Palin, on October 28, 2008.

WWE Monday Night Raw was held at the Giant Center with a three-hour Thanksgiving themed episode on November 23, 2009, and returned for a three-hour 'Old School' themed episode on November 15, 2010. WWE has also held several other Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown episodes here as well.

The largest crowd in Giant Center history was 11,002, which occurred on June 14, 2010 as the Bears clinched the Calder Cup Championship against the Texas Stars in Game 6 of the Calder Cup finals.

The Giant Center and the city of Hershey, PA also hosted the 2011 AHL All Star Game and Skills Competition on January 30–31, 2011.

Giant Center before the start of a game against the Lake Erie Monsters

Concessions

In 2007, the Giant Center Food and Beverage Department finalized a deal with PepsiCo, with all food and drink stands in the building switched from Coca-Cola products to Pepsi products. The switch was made to equalize operations with the rest of the Hershey Entertainment Complex.

Giant Center's concessions include traditional fast-food items such as hamburgers, French fries, and hot dogs, as well as various Italian items. Additional concessions available include common coffeehouse treats such as cappuccino, espresso, and pastries. Turkey Hill, a local company from nearby Lancaster County, provides its own brand of ice cream products.

Preceded by Hersheypark Arena

Home of the Hershey Bears 2002– present

Succeeded by current

External links

• Giant Center
• Hershey Bears