Target Center
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| Location | 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403-1416 |
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| Coordinates | 44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44.97944°N 93.27611°WCoordinates: 44°58′46″N 93°16′34″W / 44.97944°N 93.27611°W |
| Opened | October 13, 1990 |
| Owner | City of Minneapolis |
| Operator | Midwest Entertainment Group |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $104 million USD |
| Architect | KMR Architects |
| Capacity | Basketball: 20,500 Ice hockey / Arena football: 19,500 Center-stage concerts: 25,500 End-stage concerts: 13,000–19,000 Wrestling: 9,500 End-stage wrestling: 12,500 |
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (1990–present) Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) (1999–present) Minnesota Fighting Pike (AFL) (1996) Minnesota Arctic Blast (RHI) (1994–1996) |
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The Target Center is an arena in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is sponsored by Target Corporation. The center is home to the National Basketball Association's Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx also play in the arena.
In 1996 it was home to the Arena Football League team Minnesota Fighting Pike. Through 1994–1996, it was home to the Minnesota Arctic Blast of RHI.
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[edit] History
The Timberwolves originally built and owned the arena in 1990. The City of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995, although management has changed hands a few times. The management was changed in May 2004 from Clear Channel Entertainment to Midwest Entertainment Group, a joint venture of the Timberwolves and Nederlander Concerts.
On May 2, 2007 AEG Facilities assumed the Management contract of Target Center. The city of Minneapolis owns the arena and AEG Facilities manages day to day operations.
In 2004 Target Center underwent a major renovation that saw the replacement of all 19,006 of its original seats plus the addition of nearly 1,500 new seats as well as the reconfiguration of the lower bowl to make the arena more fan-friendly.[citation needed] In addition the arena's original scoreboard was replaced with a new state-of-the-art 9-by-16 foot video screen and state-of-the-art LED signage, LED signage on the upper deck fascia, a new luxury lounge (Club Cambria) and improved access for fans with disabilities. Today Target Center seats 20,500 for basketball and from 13,000 to 19,000 for end-stage concerts, 19,500 for center-stage concerts and 17,500 for ice hockey.[citation needed]
On May 22, 2005, WWE hosted the seventh annual Judgement Day pay-per-view event. As well as many other WWE events like the Eddie Guerrero tribute show.
The Professional Bull Riders held a Built Ford Tough Series event at Target Center during the 2003 and 2006 seasons.
Target Center was once one of three NBA arenas with parquet floors, including TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, and Amway Arena in Orlando--the floor was replaced prior to the 2008 NBA season. It hosted the 1994 NBA All-Star Game and the 1995 NCAA Women's Final Four.
Prior to the 2008-09 season, the floor reverted back to the traditional floor setup, currently used by the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx.
The Target Center held the memorable UFC championship UFC 87: Seek and Destroy in August 2008, which featured the Welterweight title match where Georges St-Pierre defeated Jon Fitch.
The Target Center is the first arena to have a green roof. It was unveiled on September 15, 2009.[1][2]
[edit] U.S. Bank Theater
Target Center can convert into a 2,500-to-7,500-seat theater known as the U.S. Bank Theater. The Theater contains a moveable floor-to-ceiling curtain system that allows the venue to be transformed based on specific show needs. In addition to concerts, the U.S. Bank Theater can also be used for family and Broadway shows.
[edit] Transportation and location
Target Center is a block away from the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue station of the Hiawatha Line. The arena is also across the street from the well-known Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue and an entertainment complex known as Block E. In addition, the new Minnesota Twins stadium to be called Target Field will be located just across Highway 394 from Target Center, and will likely share the public parking that Target Center uses.
| Preceded by Metrodome |
Home of the Minnesota Timberwolves 1990 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Minnesota Lynx 1999 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Minnesota Fighting Pike 1996 |
Succeeded by last arena |
| Preceded by Delta Center |
Host of the NBA All-Star Game 1994 |
Succeeded by America West Arena |
[edit] References
- ^ "Target Center’s Green Roof Is Complete!". Minneapolis, USA: Target Center. 15 September 2009. http://www.targetcenter.com/default.asp?id=98&objId=40. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
- ^ Nahm, Becky (18 September 2009). "Target Center Green Roof Unveiled". KSTP-TV (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation). http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1139769.shtml?cat=1#. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
[edit] External links
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