"Boasting unique features like lightning-throwing Tesla coils, an 11,000 square-foot Bud Light party deck with incredible views of the city and a massive five-manual, 105-rank digital pipe organ," says the Forum's official website, "the Tampa Bay Times Forum consistently ranks among the very best venues in the United States."
About the Tampa Bay Times Forum:
- Opened: October 20, 1996
- Other names: Ice Palace (1996 - 2002); St. Pete Times Forum (2002 - 2011)
- Size: 133 feet 10 inches high; 493 diameter; 670,000 square feet
- Construction materials: 3,400 tons of steel; 30,000 cubic yards of concrete; 70,000 square feet of glass
- Seating Capacity: 19,500 for hockey; 10,500 for arena football
- Architect, Engineering, and Construction: Ellerbe Becket
Home Teams:
- Tampa Bay Lightning (ice hockey)
- Tampa Bay Storm (arena football)
Historic Events:
- 2012, Republican National Convention
- 2008, Women's Final Four Basketball Championship
- 2007, ACC Basketball Championship
- 2005, volunteers collect supplies for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
- 2004, Tampa Bay Lightning win Stanley Cup
Other Stadia in Tampa, Florida:
Other Work by Ellerbe Becket:
- Design team (environmental graphics) for Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
- Architectural team for Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia
- TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
- Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
- Louisiana Superdome renovation
NOTE: In 2009, Kansas City-based Ellerbe Becket was acquired by Los Angeles-based AECOM Technology Corp.
Sources: Arena Information; Facts & Figures; History, Tampa Bay Times Forum website; Ellerbe Becket Portfolio, St. Petersburg Times Forum [websties accessed August 26-27, 2012]
