L. C. Walker Arena
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The L.C. Walker Arena is a 5,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Muskegon, Michigan. It was built in 1960 by money from the estate of the late Louis Carlisle Walker at a cost of $1 million, and on October 27, 1960 was given to the City of Muskegon. It is currently home to the Muskegon Fury Ice hockey team and in 2007 will be home to the Muskegon Thunder Continental Indoor Football League team.
The arena was built on a site of a former supermarket, and in addition to sports is also used for concerts, trade shows, conventions and other events. The arena measures 39 feet (12 m) from the arena floor to the ceiling. The arena contains 17,000 square feet (1,600 m²) of arena floor space, and can seat between 5,178 to 6,000 for basketball, up to 5,600 for concerts, and 5,000 for ice shows and wrestling.
A portion of the former grocery store, built in 1936, was actually incorporated into the Arena; it is now known as the LC Walker Arena annex, used for conventions, banquets, meetings and other special events.
[edit] Arena Name Change
Local media has reported that the city of Muskegon will vote on January 23rd, whether to hire a sports management company from Ohio to sell the naming rights for the arena. City officials expect a 10-year contract for the buildings naming rights to bring in $100,000 a year to help offset losses from operations and maintenance on the city owned area. In 2005 the Walker family gave the city permission to change the name so the city can use the funds for current and future repairs on the building.
Lois Carlisle Walker (1875 - 1953) was a furniture maker, and founder of the Shaw-Walker company which revolutionized the office furniture industry. His success in business was matched by his generosity to the community, and the arena has bared his name since it first opened.
[edit] External links
- L.C. Walker Arena
- 'L.C. Walker Arena name up for sale' article by the Muskegon Chronicle
- Shaw-Walker History
- City of Muskegon website on L.C. Walker Arena
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