Omaha Civic Auditorium
Omaha Civic Auditorium was a multi-purpose convention center located in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of CHI Health Center Omaha in 2003. With the opening of the Ralston Arena in 2012, all teams that played at the Civic Auditorium moved, which reduced the venue's viability. The auditorium closed its doors in June 2014 and was demolished two years later.
| Address | 1804 Capitol Avenue |
|---|---|
| Location | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Coordinates | 41°15′42″N 95°56′24″W / 41.26167°N 95.94000°WCoordinates: 41°15′42″N 95°56′24″W / 41.26167°N 95.94000°W |
| Owner | City of Omaha |
| Operator | Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) |
| Capacity | Arena: Concerts: 10,960 Basketball: 9,300 Music Hall: 2,453 |
| Surface | multi-surface |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1954 |
| Closed | June 2014 |
| Demolished | 2016 |
| Tenants | |
| Creighton Bluejays men's basketball (NCAA) (1960–2003) Kansas City-Omaha Kings (NBA) (1972–1978) Omaha Mavericks (CCHA) (1997–2003) Omaha Beef (UIF/NIFL/IPFL/IFL) (2000–2012) Creighton Bluejays women's basketball and volleyball (NCAA) (2003–2009) Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights (AHL) (2005–2007) Omaha Lancers (USHL) (2009–2012) Omaha Vipers (MISL) (2010–2011) | |
Facilities
Arena
The Civic Auditorium arena seated up to 9,300 for sporting events and up to 10,960 for concerts.
In the past, the arena was home to the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team, the Creighton women's basketball and volleyball teams, and the University of Nebraska Omaha hockey team, and the Kansas City-Omaha Kings NBA basketball team.
The arena was the site of the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game in 1978.[1] It was also the site of the seventh WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1996. Billy Graham's Nebraska Crusade took place at the arena in 1964.
One of Elvis Presley's final concerts
One of Elvis Presley's final concerts was held at the Civic Auditorium on June 19, 1977.[2] The concert was filmed for a CBS TV special, Elvis in Concert.[2]
"You're no Jack Kennedy"
A notable event at the Civic Auditorium was the 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate between Democrat Lloyd Bentsen and Republican Dan Quayle. The debate produced one of the most famous quotes in American political history.
Quayle, then a U.S. Senator from Indiana, had been a relative political unknown and reporters covering the campaign wondered if he would make a suitable president if something were to have happened to George H. W. Bush, who selected him as his running mate. In response to a question, Quayle pointed out that he had as much experience in the Senate as John F. Kennedy had prior to being elected President of the United States in 1960. To which, Bentsen, a Senate veteran from Texas, responded: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."
Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall
The Omaha Civic Auditorium Music Hall, located on the east side of Omaha Civic Auditorium, was used for concerts, Broadway shows and other events. It seated 2,453 and was known for its intimate yet casual atmosphere.
Exhibit Hall
The Civic Auditorium exhibit hall features 43,400 square feet (4,000 m²) of space for conventions and trade shows.
Mancuso Hall
Mancuso Hall is a large-events venue used for parties, trade shows, concerts, banquets, and conventions, among other events. 25,000 square feet (2300 m²) of space, Mancuso Hall seats 2,500 for concerts and 1,500 for banquets.
Demolition
Demolition of the Civic Auditorium began in August 2016.[3] Nothing remains except bare dirt and grass at the site.
See also
- CHI Health Center Omaha, which replaced the Auditorium as the city's major indoor arena
- Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015 and filled the market niche left behind by the Auditorium
- Mid-America Center
- Rosenblatt Stadium (defunct)
- Ak-Sar-Ben (arena) (defunct)
- TD Ameritrade Park
- Morrison Stadium
- Ralston Arena
References
- ^ Hambleton, Ken (March 6, 1978). "Rick Apke makes brother look good as Bluejays win". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 13. Retrieved November 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Tours 1977". Elvis Concerts. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ Cole, Kevin (August 17, 2016). "After delays, demolition of Omaha's Civic Auditorium is underway". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None | Home of the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights 2005 – 07 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Home of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings (with Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City) 1972 – 75 | Succeeded by |