Grossinger Motors Arena (formerly known as U.S. Cellular Coliseum and simply the Coliseum) is an

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

in downtown Bloomington,

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. It is on the southwest corner of Madison Street ( US-51) and Front Street. The arena opened to the public on April 1, 2006.

Description

Its

seating capacity Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...

is approximately 5,500 for hockey and indoor football games and 8,000 for concerts. The arena has 800 club seats, 24 luxury suites, and two party suites. The arena also has a basketball floor. The arena annually hosts local high school graduation ceremonies ( Bloomington High School,

Normal Community High School Normal Community High School (NCHS or Normal Community) is a public high school located in Normal, Illinois that was founded in 1905. NCHS serves parts of Normal, Bloomington, and Towanda and is home to over 2,000 students (grades 9–12) with ...

and Normal West High School) as well as the local community college's graduation ceremony (

Heartland Community College Heartland Community College is a public community college with campuses in Normal, Lincoln, and Pontiac, Illinois. History The state of Illinois is divided into community college districts. Students desiring to attend a community college in Il ...

). The arena is connected to the Bloomington Ice Center which is located in the same building, and it has no rights to the Bloomington Ice Center, also known as the Pepsi Ice Center, which is a public ice rink run by Bloomington's Parks & Recreation Department. It hosts the

Illinois State University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

Redbirds hockey club. The center features open skating, as well as lessons and hockey leagues. It is also the home of the State Farm Holiday Classic, one of the largest,

co-ed Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to t ...

high school holiday basketball tournaments in the nation, featuring 64 varsity teams participating throughout Bloomington-Normal.

Controversy

The arena has been a burden on city finances due to operational losses from lack of sponsorships. Though bookings increased, the lack of local city population is a continued problem. There have been criminal proceedings over allegations of fraud, embezzlement and theft by the past management company, CIAM.

References

External links

Official Site
{{Authority control Indoor arenas in Illinois Indoor ice hockey venues in Illinois Arena football venues Basketball venues in Illinois Sports venues in Bloomington–Normal Music venues in Illinois Sports venues completed in 2006