La Crosse Center

The La Crosse Center is a multi-purpose arena in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, built in 1980. The arena can seat between 5,000 and 7,500, depending on the type of event.

La Crosse Center
La Crosse Center entrance
Location300 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
OwnerCity of La Crosse
Capacity7,500
SurfaceMulti-surface
Opened1980
Tenants
La Crosse Catbirds (CBA) (1985–1994)
La Crosse Bobcats (CBA) (1996–2001)
La Crosse River Rats (IFL) (2000)
La Crosse Night Train (NIFL) (2002–2003)
La Crosse Skating Sirens (WFTDA) (2009–2012)
La Crosse Spartans (IFL) (2010–2011)
La Crosse Showtime (ABA) (2017–2018)

The Center is also a convention center. In addition to the arena, which offers 21,600 square feet (2,010 m2) of exhibit space, two locker rooms, and three dressing rooms, there is 14,935-square-foot (1,388 m2) North Hall, which can open up to the arena to be used in combination; and a 38,740-square-foot (3,599 m2) South Exhibit Hall. All three venues total 75,275 square feet (6,993 m2) of exhibit space. The complex also contains 9,432 square feet (876 m2) of space in five meeting rooms, which can be divided into nine meeting rooms.

While both exhibit halls and the arena are used for trade shows, conventions, meetings and banquets, the arena is also used for sporting events, concerts, circuses, ice shows, and other events.[1]

In addition, the center is home to countless exhibits and shows. One noteworthy event is the annual Bi-State Classic high school wrestling tournament. The center holds ten full-size wrestling mats and up to 55 wrestling squads.

The most recent change to the La Crosse Center was a fifty-foot skywalk spanning over Second Street in downtown La Crosse. The skywalk links a five floor parking ramp with the east end of the convention center.

The La Crosse Center is situated less than 300 feet (91.44 meters) from the banks of the Mississippi River, and Riverside Park in Downtown La Crosse.

Tenants

The La Crosse Skating Sirens began competing at the La Crosse Center in 2009. The Skating Sirens are a nationally "bouting" women's flat-track roller derby team.

It has previously been home to three indoor football teams: The La Crosse River Rats, the La Crosse Spartans and the La Crosse Night Train; and two Continental Basketball Association (CBA) teams: The La Crosse Catbirds and the La Crosse Bobcats. It most recently housed the La Crosse Showtime of the American Basketball Association.[2] The team began playing the 2018-19 season at the La Crosse Center, but had to move from the facility prior to playing any games in 2019.[3]

The center has fielded bids for additional teams in United Indoor Football,[4] the United States Hockey League,[5] and the NBA Development League.[6]

La Crosse Center South Hall set up for a dart tournament
La Crosse Center setting up for monster trucks
La Crosse Center basketball court
Sign and parking lot

References
  1. Parlin, Geri (February 20, 2012). "Show Time: La Crosse Center's Success Due to Expansion and Crowds". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  2. "La Crosse Showtime". www.lacrosseshowtime.com.
  3. White, Greg (January 4, 2019). "La Crosse Showtime no longer playing at La Crosse Center". WKBT. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  4. Brown, Jeff (December 4, 2004). "Could indoor football return to La Crosse?". La Crosse Tribune. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004.
  5. Cahalan, Steve (March 5, 2004). "La Crosse Center posts profit for 2003, expects a small one in '04". La Crosse Tribune. Archived from the original on February 11, 2006.
  6. "Airball: RimRockers Deal Dead". WKBT. May 24, 2007. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011.

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