Ted Constant Convocation Center
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (March 2011) |
| Ted Constant Convocation Center | |
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| The Ted | |
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| Location | 4320 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk, VA 23529 |
| Broke ground | June 17, 2000[1] |
| Opened | October 25, 2002 |
| Owner | Old Dominion University |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Construction cost | $47 million ($60.7 million in 2012 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Rossetti Architects Moseley Architects |
| Structural engineer | Stroud, Pence & Associates Ltd. |
| General Contractor | S.B. Ballard Construction Company |
| Capacity | 9,520(Concerts) 8,639 (Basketball) |
| Tenants | |
| Old Dominion Monarchs | |
The Ted Constant Convocation Center is a 9,520-seat (219,330 square feet) multi-purpose arena in Norfolk, Virginia, located on the campus of Old Dominion University. Operated by Global Spectrum, the Constant Center is known as one of the premier mid-sized collegiate venues in the country. The Constant Center is the cornerstone in the University Village project, a 75-acre development that will also feature a shopping center, restaurants, theaters, offices, research labs and residences with high-tech connections to the campus. "The Ted" has 7,319 (fixed) fully cushioned seats, 862 upper club/priority seats, 16 luxury suites, and a state-of-the-art scoreboard. The arena currently seats 8,639 for basketball games. The Constant Center has recently been equipped with more than 50 high-definition flat screen televisions, premiere interactive suite controls, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, impressive meeting room technology, and substantial back of house amenities. In addition to being used for home basketball games and wrestling matches for ODU, the Constant Center hosts family-oriented events as well as concerts and lectures.
On January 2012, Pollstar conducted their 2011 year end rankings and ranked the Constant Center 8th in the world for arenas under 10,000 seats and 2nd in the United States. On a larger scale, the Constant Center ranked 120th overall.
On March 17th and 19th the Constant Center will play host to the first and second round of the 2012 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
"The Ted" is celebrating the 10 year anniversery having opened in October 2002, and was designed by Southfield, Michigan architecture firm Rossetti.
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[edit] Big Events
There have been many big events held at the Constant Center. These have ranged from concerts and shows by BB King, Dave Chappelle, Elton John, J.Cole, Mike Epps, Thomas and Friends and Green Day.[3] There have also been many other events such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney performances, Cheerleading competitions, as well as ODU events such as a career fair.
The biggest event that has ever taken place at the Constant Center was the Elton John Concert. This took place March 18th, 2011 at the Constant Center. The tickets for this huge event sold out in 3 1/2 hours.[4] The Ted had to add about 1,000 extra seats to accommodate all of the audience members who purchased tickets. There were close to 9,500 people at the event, in a building that holds around 8,500.
[edit] Behind the Scenes
At the Ted Constant Convocation Center the Event Staff that works all events is overseen by the company Global Spectrum. They also try to help the surrounding community. Global Spectrum of the Constant Center donated over 2,300 items to benefit local food banks for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.[5] Food vendors located inside the Ted are run by the company Aramark. They sell many different foods for the audience, ranging from pizza to dip 'n dots to specialty items such as BBQ.
[edit] Important People
Steve Ballard is the builder of the Constant Center, as well as Foreman Field located at Old Dominion University. It was finished in 2002 as he and his local company S.B. Ballard completed the construction. Virginia Beach resident, Theodore F. Constant, founder of the Norfolk Beverage Co., made a $5 million donation to the university to support their new venture. After announcing Constant’s gift, President James V. Koch proposed that the Board of Visitors name the village’s center the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The Constant Center General Manager is Doug Higgons. He says, “Our goal is to provide something for everyone in the Hampton Roads community at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.”[6] Mike McRory is the boss of the Event Staff in the building and he makes sure every single event at the Ted runs smoothly. He handles hiring of the Event Staff, ensures the itinerary of all events, and is a daily part of why the Constant Center is so successful.
[edit] External links
- ^ Groundbreaking Ceremony Is Set for Constant Center
- ^ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2008. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?attrid=49950
- ^ http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/elton-john-provides-teds-first-360-sellout
- ^ http://www.frontrow-marketing.com/goya/files/Newsletters/(53)%2520Spring%25202011%2520Globe_low.pdf
- ^ http://www.constantcenter.com/about/
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Coordinates: 36°53′3.01″N 76°18′4.43″W / 36.8841694°N 76.3012306°W
