Rapides Parish Coliseum
| Rapides Coliseum, The Coliseum | |
 Rapides Coliseum as of November 2012 | |
| Location |
5600 Coliseum Boulevard Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°17′48″N 92°30′13″W / 31.29667°N 92.50361°WCoordinates: 31°17′48″N 92°30′13″W / 31.29667°N 92.50361°W |
| Owner | Coliseum Authority |
| Capacity |
Current: 6,512 Future Expansion: 10,800[1] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1965 |
| Renovated | 2014–2017 (estimated) |
| Construction cost | $22.9 million (2017 renovation)[2] |
| Architect | Buddy Tudor, Tudor Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
|
Alexandria Warthogs (WPHL) (1998–2000) Louisiana Rangers (IPFL/NIFL) (2000–2002) | |
The Rapides Parish Coliseum (often called the Rapides Coliseum, as noted on the sign out front) is a multi-purpose arena located in Alexandria, Louisiana. The coliseum can seat about 6,500 people in the 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m2) building. Additional space is in the smaller Exhibition Hall, also on the property. Built in 1965 by Buddy Tudor's family-owned construction company in Pineville, Louisiana, the dome-topped Coliseum has hosted thousands of events, including music concerts, "monster" truck shows, professional wrestling, trade shows and sporting events.
Additional facilities on the grounds include a 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) Exhibition Hall often used for trade shows and the 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m2) Lewis-Odom Agricultural Complex used during livestock auctions and 4-H shows.
Events
Former Sports
Past sports teams based at the Rapides Coliseum include the Louisiana Rangers, a member of the IPFL, and the Alexandria Warthogs, a member of the WPHL.
Other Events
Located on Louisiana Highway 28 West in Alexandria, La., with parking for nearly 2000 vehicles, the Coliseum was home to the annual Rapides Parish Fair every October from 1960 to 2013 in 2014 the fair moved to The Lsua Ag center on hwy 71 south just south of Alexandria
Some of the site's more famous visitors include Lipizzan stallions (1973), Elvis Presley (1977), Holiday on Ice, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (1966), Ronald Reagan (1975), George C. Wallace, Jr. (1976).
In 2005 the facility was used as a shelter by the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina and during Hurricane Rita. It was during Rita that it lost power and water for a short period of time.
Recent events staged at the site include the Barnum and Bailey Circus on Dec. 2, 2008, World Wrestling Entertainment in January 2009, and the Gaither Homecoming Tour on March 7, 2009.
It has also hosted the LHSAA Girls Basketball Championships.
In October 2008, a report was produced for the Rapides Parish Police Jury that estimates the total cost of repairs and needed updates to be $10 million.
Future Renovations
On November 6, 2012, Rapides Parish voters approved a $23 million bond issue back by a 2.5-million property tax for the Coliseum.[3] Also approved was a one-million tax to pay for the coliseum maintenance and operations for a period of 20 years. The $23 million taxes will pay for renovation projects that include an expanded seating capacity to 10,800, new 3-story lobby, sky boxes, and exhibition hall, improved electrical systems and roofing, new rest rooms, stages, dressing rooms, and a basketball floor, and a rebuilt 2,500 lot parking space. The new coliseum is designed to give it a modern appeal and attract larger events for the Rapides Parish area.
Start of construction for the project was delayed due to the Rapides Parish Police Jury's difficulty of obtaining a permit to begin the renovations because of dispute between the them and the city of Alexandria over the Rapides Parish Coliseum parking lot issue which was eventually settled.[4] The project officially began in April 2015 and is currently ongoing.[2] According to officials as of August 2016, the project is about 80% complete. The coliseum is scheduled to be opened by the end of the 2016 year but finishing work will continue for the facility for the grand opening that is planned for sometime in early 2017.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ "Rapides Parish Arena & Exhibition Center". 2010–2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- 1 2 "Renovated Rapides Coliseum could open in 2015". 27 April 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Voters approve tax to renovate Rapides Coliseum". 7 November 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- ↑ "Debate continues between the parish and the city over coliseum parking lot". 11 March 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Public 'to be wowed' by Rapides Parish Coliseum". 31 August 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2016.