Lakefront Arena
| UNO Lakefront Arena | |
|---|---|
 Exterior of arena after Hurricane Katrina |
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| Full name | Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena |
| Former names | University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena (1983-1987) |
| Location | 6801 Franklin Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70122-5707 |
| Opened | 1983 |
| Owner | University of New Orleans |
| Operator | University of New Orleans |
| Surface | Grass |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Website | website arena website |
The Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena (commonly Lakefront Arena) is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in New Orleans, Louisiana and was built in 1983. It is named in honor of Nat G. Kiefer, the late state senator who aided UNO’s efforts to obtain state funding for the building. It is part of the university's East Campus, where most of the school's athletic facilities are located.
It is home to the University of New Orleans Privateers basketball team. It hosted the 1991 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament, where the University of Tennessee beat University of Virginia, for their 3rd national title, as well as the 2002 Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball tournament. It is also notable for hosting Larry Bird's career-high of 60 points on March 12, 1985, against the Atlanta Hawks, who were hosting a series of special "home" games in New Orleans during the 1984-1985 season.[1]
It also hosts graduations, concerts and other events, including Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, WWE, Bill Cosby and Robin Williams, among others.
Pope John Paul II celebrated mass to over 150,000 people on the grounds of the arena.
Prominent political figures such as Bill Clinton and John Kerry have also spoken at the arena.
Large festivals, including Lollapalooza and Steel Pony Express have also been held on the grounds.
In August 2005, as a result of massive damages sustained during Hurricane Katrina, the building closed for substantial repairs and renovations for nearly three years. During this time, the school's men's and women's basketball teams played their home games in their former home, the Human Performance Center (or "The Chamber of Horrors" as it grew to be known during the late '70s and early '80s).
The arena held its grand re-opening May 2, 2008. Disney's "High School Musical: The Ice Tour" was the first show to take the stage.
As of May 2, 2008, the events area was the only portion of the Arena completed, although officials said that the remainder of the facility would be completed shortly thereafter.
The arena celebrated its 25th Anniversary on November 1, 2008.
Sting performed during his Symphonicities Tour on June 26, 2010, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
[edit] References
- ^ Finney, Peter (January 8, 2003). "Larry Legend had 60 on Boston's '85 visit". The Times-Picayune: p. C1.
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