The Colisée
The Androscoggin Bank Colisee (formerly Central Maine Civic Center and Lewiston Colisee) is a 4,000 capacity (3,675 seated) multi-purpose arena in Lewiston, Maine that opened in 1958. It is home to the Lewiston MAINEiacs Ice hockey team.
Colisée | |
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| Former names | Central Maine Youth Center (1958–1989) Central Maine Civic Center (1989–2004) Colisee (2004-2006) |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewiston, Maine |
| Owner | City of Lewiston |
| Operator | Global Spectrum |
| Capacity | 3,500 (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1956 |
| Opened | 1958 to 1959 |
| Construction cost | $1 million, with renovations $5 million |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Tenants | |
| Lewiston Maineiacs (QMHJL) (2003-present) Lewiston High School (PTL) (1989-2004) | |
History
The Central Maine Youth Center was built in 1958-1959 to replace St. Dominics Regional High. In 1965, it was the venue for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship rematch between Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali in which Ali beat Liston in under three minutes.
During the mid-1970s the Maine Nordiques hockey team called the Colisee home, and during the arena's early years the Boston Celtics basketball team played preseason games at the Colisee.
In 1989, the Portland Diocese sold the Central Maine Civic Center to Roger Theriault and Frank Corrao for $100,000; they were unable to get the original $700,00 asking price.
In 2003, The Lewiston Maineiacs, who captured the President's Cup for the first time in 2006, came to the Central Maine Civic Center with a promise that the arena would be renovated. Soon the City of Lewsiton bought the building for $250,000 and carried the $4.7 million debt, it was soon renamed to Lewiston Colisee, which was again changed to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.
Current status
In 2007, the Sun Journal published concerns about the Lewiston Colisee — its high debt with renovations still needed; and it's small capacity, with seating for only 3,500 spectators, which limits the Colisee's utility.
The Colisee is also used for concerts, conventions and trade shows. There is 17,000 square feet (1600 m²) of exhibit space. For conventions, the Colisee can accommodate up to 4,800 patrons.
External links
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