Tsongas Center
| Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell | |
|---|---|
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| Location | 300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Lowell, MA 01852 |
| Broke ground | 1996 |
| Opened | January 27, 1998 |
| Owner | University of Massachusetts Lowell |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Surface | 200x85 ft (hockey) |
| Construction cost | $28 million |
| Capacity | 6,496 (hockey and basketball) 7,800 (concerts) |
| Tenants | |
| UMass Lowell River Hawks (NCAA) (1998-present) Lowell Lock Monsters/Devils (AHL) (1998–2010) |
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Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell (formerly Paul E. Tsongas Arena) is a multi-purpose facility, on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Arena was opened and dedicated to the memory of prominent local and national politician Paul Tsongas (who died in 1997) on January 27, 1998. The arena was built with $4 million funding from both the city and the university, plus another $20 million contributed from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, largely in support of UMass.[1]
The facility is home to the NCAA Division I University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks ice hockey team, who compete in the Hockey East Association. The facility was also home to the Lowell Devils ice hockey team, who competed in the American Hockey League from 1998 to 2010. The Devils ended their stay in Lowell due to financial difficulties and the arena's new ownership and has moved to Albany, NY to compete as the Albany Devils. Hockey seating capacity is approximately 6,496, while concert seating capacity is approximately 7,800.
Tsongas Center also hosts concerts and other public events, including the graduations of several local high schools. In 2004, alternative music pioneers Pixies recorded their live concert DVD and high-definition television special "The Pixies: Come Home Live 2004 World Tour" at Tsongas Arena. In the same year, the group Yes released a DVD of their 35th anniversary tour performance at the venue titled "Songs from Tsongas."
In 2009, the boxing scenes of the 2010 film The Fighter were shot here with Mark Wahlberg portraying Micky Ward, Lowell's own boxer who won a world championship, and Christian Bale portraying his brother Dicky Eklund.
UMass Lowell and the City of Lowell entered into negotiations in 2009 with the intent to transfer ownership of the arena, and the land adjacent to it, to the University. In late October 2009, it was reported that the deal had been perfected, with UMass Lowell committing to $5 million in repairs to the facility.[2] In a ceremony during a game against Boston University on October 30, 2009, the deal which would transfer ownership to the university was signed, and the school formally took control of the arena on February 5, 2010 after completing a $1 transaction.[3]
UMass Lowell has spent 5 million dollars to renovate the arena since its acquisition. LED ribbons were installed and in the winter of 2010. A new high definition score board would be installed during the summer 2010. A new seating area was built in conjunction with a new upscale bar. Also a new sound system would be installed to replace the old system. Then in the summer of 2011 new ice making equipment would be installed.
[edit] References
- ^ Lafleur, Michael (2008-05-20). "UMass Lowell disputes price it pays for events at Tsongas Arena". Lowell Sun. http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_9319917. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ Myers, Jennifer (October 23, 2009). "Lowell closes in on deal to turn Tsongas Arena over to UMass Lowell". Lowell Sun. http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_13625693. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ Abel, David (February 5, 2010). "UMass Lowell takes control of Tsongas Arena". Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/02/umass_lowell_ta.html. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tsongas Center |
| Preceded by Tully Forum |
Home of the UMass Lowell River Hawks 1998 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Family Arena |
Host of Lockdown (2008) 2008 |
Succeeded by Liacouras Center |
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Coordinates: 42°39′01″N 71°18′48″W / 42.650228°N 71.313248°W
