Ocean Center
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| Ocean Center | |
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 The Ocean Center in August 2007 |
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| Location | 101 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, Florida 32118 |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Owner | Volusia County, Florida |
| Operator | Volusia County, Florida |
| Construction cost | $76 Million (expansion) |
| Architect | Thompson, Ventulett, Stainbeck and Associates, Atlanta and DJ Design, Daytona Beach |
| Tenants | Daytona Beach ThunderBirds (af2) (2008-present) Daytona Beach Thunder (AIFL/WIFL) (2006-2007) |
| Capacity | 6,176 (Hockey, Football) 8,362 (Basketball) 7,184 (Circus) 7,380 (Ice Shows) 8,582 (Wrestling) 9,440 (Concerts) |
The Ocean Center is a multi-purpose arena and convention center in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. It was built in 1985 is currently under expansion construction.
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[edit] About
The Ocean Center features 46,000 square feet (4300 m²) of exhibit space at the main arena and 14,000 square feet (1300 m²) of space at the conference center. The main arena seats 6,176 for ice hockey and arena football, 8,362 for basketball, 7,184 for the circus, 7,380 for ice shows, 8,582 for wrestling and 9,440 for concerts. The Ocean Center is also used for banquets, trade shows, high school graduations, conventions and other events.[1]
[edit] Expansion plans
In June of 2004, The Volusia County Council approved a $57 million expansion of the Ocean Center. The Ocean Center currently features 225,000 sq ft (20,900 m²). of space; the expansion plans will add 227,491 square feet (21,134.6 m²), for a total of 452,491.
The project ran into trouble early in 2006 when architects unveiled a scaled-down plan reflecting a tighter budget. County financial officials responded by coming up with a new strategy that increased available money to $76 million. The expansion is being paid for by an increase approved in the county's tourist development tax from 5 cents to 6 cents per dollar.
The Ocean Center expansion project is in three phases: Phase I - south parking lot; Phase II - site work and utilities and Phase III - construction of the facility. Renovations to the existing Ocean Center will take place after the complete construction of the new areas.
The opening of the new Ocean Center is slated for summer 2008.[2]
[edit] History
[edit] Events
[edit] Basketball
The Ocean Center hosted the 1988 Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournament. It is also home to a few of Bethune-Cookman University basketball games.
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[edit] Football
The Ocean Center is home to the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds arena football team, currently playing in af2. They were previously known as the Daytona Beach Thunder for their first two seasons in the American Indoor Football League in 2006 and the World Indoor Football League in 2007.
[edit] Ice hockey
The Daytona Beach Sun Devils of the defunct Sunshine Hockey League played hockey games at the Ocean Center from 1992-1995. In 1995, the team and league changed names to the Daytona Beach Breakers, playing in the Southern Hockey League. After the 1995-96 season both the team and the league folded.
[edit] Pro wrestling
The Ocean Center hosted the WCW Bash at the Beach in 1996, 1997 and 2000. 1996 was the scene of Hulk Hogan's infamous heel turn when he formed the nWo faction. Other notable WCW related events that have occurred here include Booker T winning his first World Championship, the debut of Thursday Night Thunder, the controversial Vince Russo-Hulk Hogan "shoot" confrontation, the much hyped team-up of NBA star Dennis Rodman with Hogan as well as the later team up of NBA star Karl Malone with Diamond Dallas Page and the notoriously botched debut of the Shockmaster.
[edit] Other events
- Daytona Beach Garden Show [1] - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Council of Garden Clubs of the Halifax District and the Daytona Beach News-Journal; usually scheduled in March.
- Daytona Beach Home Show [2] - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Pilot Club of Daytona Beach and the Daytona Beach News-Journal; usually scheduled in October.
- Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show - Annual event, usually held near the first week of March, corresponding with the dates of Daytona Beach Bike Week.
- Spring Break Nationals -Annual event, held during spring break. It is a world renown car audio show.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Ocean Center is at coordinates Coordinates:
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