Ocean Bank Convocation Center
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| Former names | Sunblazer Arena (1986–1987) Golden Panther Arena (1987–2004) Pharmed Arena (2004–2008) FIU Arena (2008 2014-present) U.S. Century Bank Arena (2008-2014) |
|---|---|
| Location | University Park 11200 Southwest 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199 |
| Owner | Florida International University |
| Operator | Florida International University |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Surface | Wood |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1983 |
| Opened | February 1, 1986 |
| Construction cost | $7 million[1] ($19.5 million in 2024 dollars[2]) |
| Tenants | |
| FIU Golden Panthers (NCAA) (1986–present) Miss Universe 2014 | |
FIU Arena (formerly known as Sunblazer Arena, Golden Panther Arena, Pharmed Arena, and U.S. Century Bank Arena) is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. It was opened on February 1, 1986 and is home to the FIU Panthers basketball and volleyball teams. It was originally named Sunblazer Arena, but was renamed Golden Panther Arena when FIU's athletic teams changed their nickname from Sunblazers to Golden Panthers in 1987. It was renamed Pharmed Arena in 2004, and then was briefly named FIU Arena in 2008 before being renamed to U.S. Century Bank Arena. However, the facility reverted to its prior and current name in 2014.
The 94,000-square-foot (8,700 m2) arena contains a 19,000-square-foot (1,800 m2) wooden arena floor. It is also used for banquets, conventions, concerts, trade shows, and graduations including FIU's own commencement ceremonies.
The main court is a Cincinnati Robbins perma-cushion maple wood basketball floor, made up of some 19,000 square feet (1,800 m2) of wood. Four retractable basketball backboards allow for the floor to be divided into two practice courts, while Hydra Goal II portable basketball standards are used for intercollegiate competition. Nevco scoreboards are found at either end.
Support areas include an equipment room, training room and 876 lockers in six different, full-service dressing rooms. Academic space in the building includes three classrooms, and physiology, computer and kinesiology laboratories. Additionally, there are four, four-wall, fully air conditioned racquetball courts with a spectator viewing area for recreational and tournament usage.
In late 2008, U.S. Century Bank bought naming rights to the arena, changing the arena's name to U.S. Century Bank Arena. The arena was scheduled to undergo a $5 million renovation beginning in the summer or fall of 2010,[needs update] with a completion date of early 2011.
In January 2015, the FIU Arena hosted the Miss Universe 2014 pageant.
See also
- FIU Panthers
- FIU Stadium (FIU Football)
- FIU Baseball Stadium (FIU Baseball)
References
- ^ "Basketball Fever Gives Sunblazers Hope for Future". Miami Herald. November 16, 1986. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
