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Alliant Energy PowerHouse (formerly Five Seasons Center and later U.S. Cellular Center) is a multi-purpose arena located in the downtown area of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was financed by the approval of a voter referendum to allocate special municipal capital improvement bond monies, after several prior bond referendums to build a civic center failed between 1965 and 1977. The initial construction cost was approximately $7 million for the arena and facilities. The city approved an additional $1 million to build an adjacent multi-level parking facility connected to the center by a skywalk. The center is adjoined by a 16-story DoubleTree hotel facility built directly above the arena.
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| Former names | Cedar Rapids Civic Center (planning/construction) Five Seasons Center (1979-2000) U.S. Cellular Center (2000-20) |
|---|---|
| Address | 370 1st Ave NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1108 |
| Location | Downtown Cedar Rapids |
| Owner | City of Cedar Rapids |
| Operator | VenuWorks |
| Capacity | 9,000 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1977 |
| Opened | January 25, 1979 |
| Renovated | 2011-13 |
| Closed | July 2011 |
| Reopened | June 1, 2013 |
| Construction cost | $8 million ($40.2 million in 2023 dollars[1]) |
| Tenants | |
| Iowa Cornets (WBL) (1979-80) Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets (CBA) (1988-91) Cedar Rapids Sharpshooters (GBA) (1992) Cedar Rapids River Raiders (USBL) (2004) Cedar Rapids Titans/River Kings (IFL/AIF) (2014–2020, 2024–present) Cedar Rapids Rampage (MASL) (2015–18) Iowa Raptors FC (M2) (2022–present) | |
Building details | |
| General information | |
| Renovated | July 2011-May 2013 |
| Renovation cost | $20 million ($27.1 million in 2023 dollars[1]) |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect(s) | OPN Architects |
| Other designers |
|
| Main contractor |
|
About the venue
edit
The center hosts local sporting events and concerts, most notably the Iowa State High School Girls Volleyball Tournament and the Iowa High School Team Dual Wrestling Championships. It was opened in 1979 as the Five Seasons Center and hosted the English progressive-rock band Yes as its first official concert event on April 25, 1979. The arena has a basketball capacity of about 6,900 and can seat up to 8,600 for concerts. It served as the primary sports and entertainment venue in Eastern Iowa until the completion of Carver–Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City four years later. Former professional tenants include the Cedar Rapids River Raiders of the United States Basketball League, the Cedar Rapids Sharpshooters of the Global Basketball Association and the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets of the Continental Basketball Association. Numerous commencement ceremonies are held at the arena.
The venue hosted the initial World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Souled Out event in 1997. It also hosted WCW's Clash of the Champions XXVIII event in 1994 and a WCW Monday Nitro event in 1999. As the Five Seasons Center, it was the site of two early Ultimate Fighting Championship events: UFC 21 in 1999, and UFC 26 the following year. One notable wrestling match in 1989 had Andre the Giant arrested by police after attacking a KCRG-TV photographer filming the match. He was charged with assault and later acquitted, though he was still fined for criminal mischief and damage to KCRG's equipment.[2]
In early June 2008, the U.S. Cellular Center was flooded with water from the Iowa flood of 2008.[3]
The arena closed in July 2011 to undergo renovations as part of a larger project to build a convention complex around the site, which also includes renovations to the new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Events were diverted to other venues in the area, including the ImOn Ice Arena (also managed by VenuWorks) and Carver-Hawkeye Arena, during that time. The complex was re-opened for a concert by Lady Antebellum on June 1, 2013.[4] It was selected as the host arena for the NCAA Division II National Volleyball tournament December 12–14, 2013.
It was home to the Cedar Rapids Titans/River Kings of the Indoor Football League from 2014 to 2019.[5]
On October 17, 2014, US Cellular Center held an NBA preseason game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves.[6]
The City of Cedar Rapids announced on October 23, 2020, that it had reached a naming rights agreement with Alliant Energy, the region's electricity provider, that took effect July 1 and lasts twelve years.[7]
Naming history
editNoted performers
edit- AC/DC
- Alan Jackson
- Barry Manilow
- Dierks Bentley
- Dolly Parton
- Elton John
- Eric Clapton
- Flyleaf
- Godsmack
- Grateful Dead
- John Denver
- John Mellencamp
- Keith Urban
- Kenny Chesney
- Kenny Rogers
- Kid Rock
- KISS
- Korn
- MC Hammer
- Metallica
- Nickelback
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Tesla
- Toby Keith
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Van Halen
- Widespread Panic
- Yes
- ZZ Top
Sources:[10]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Andre the Giant vs. the Cedar Rapids Police: 30 years later". The Gazette (Cedar Rapids). October 18, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ Hammill, Mark (May 23, 2018). "Cedar Rapids flood recovery 10 years after 2008 disaster". KGAN. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "CR Progress: Cedar Rapids Convention Complex". City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Official Website. March 2011. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ Ogden, J.R. (August 29, 2011). "Pro football coming to Cedar Rapids?". The Gazette. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "Timberwolves To Host Preseason Game In Cedar Rapids". WCCO-TV. CBS Television Stations. June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "Cedar Rapids downtown convention center now known as Alliant Energy Power House". KCRG-TV. Gray Television. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "Pro-Tennis Exhibition" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. Vol. 111, no. 158. Student Publications, Inc. March 12, 1979. p. 6. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Rodgers, Danielle (October 23, 2020). "CEDAR RAPIDS' DOWNTOWN ARENA GETS NEW NAME". KHAK. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Sources for noted performers at the arena:
- Larson, Jaymz (November 9, 2017). "What Artist Has Played The U.S. Cellular Center The Most Times". KRNA. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- Van Pelt, Doug (December 22, 2009). "Flyleaf tour announcement". HM. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- "Panic Plans 'Seven Fiddler's' Fest". Billboard. VNU eMedia, Inc. June 14, 2002. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- "Nickelback donate single proceeds to charity". NME. January 29, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- "US Cellular Center Facility Planning Study" (PDF). City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Official Website. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. March 4, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- Photos: American icon Dolly Parton plays Cedar Rapids - Little Village (littlevillagemag.com)
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Ultimate Fighting Championship venue UFC 21 UFC 26 |
Succeeded by |