Angel of the Winds Arena

{{Short description|Indoor arena in Everett, Washington, U.S.}}

{{Redirect|Comcast Arena|other uses|Comcast Center (disambiguation)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Angel of the Winds Arena

| nickname =

| image = Comcast Arena 01.jpg

| caption = The arena (then the Comcast Arena) pictured in 2009

| pushpin_map = Washington#USA

| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Washington##Location within the United States

| pushpin_relief = 1

| pushpin_label = Angel of the Winds Arena

| address = 2000 Hewitt Avenue

| location = Everett, Washington, U.S.

| coordinates = {{coord|47|58|43|N|122|12|13|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground = April 23, 2002{{cite news |title=Yuill Signs Everett Lease; T-birds Owner Will Sell Team to Buy New WHL Franchise |first=Susan |last=Wade |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20020420/everetthockey20/yuill-signs-everett-lease-t-birds-owner-will-sell-team-to-buy-new-whl-franchise |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=April 20, 2002|access-date=March 25, 2012}}

| built =

| opened = September 27, 2003{{cite news |last=Tuinstra |first=Rachel |date=September 24, 2003 |title=A $71.5 million venue represents 'a big leap of faith' for the city |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030924/center24n/a-715-million-venue-represents-a-big-leap-of-faith-for-the-city |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 25, 2012}}

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = Everett Public Facilities District

| operator = Spectra Experiences

| construction_cost = $71.5 million
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|71500000|2003}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})

| architect = LMN Architects{{Cite web |url=http://lmnarchitects.com/work/everett_events_center |title=LMN Architects: Everett Events Center |access-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505012957/http://lmnarchitects.com/work/everett_events_center |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=dead}}
PBK Architects, Inc.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pbkarchitectsinc.com/pimg/recreationsports/everett/pds.html |title=Everett Regional Events Center - PBK Architects |access-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318203313/http://www.pbkarchitectsinc.com/pimg/recreationsports/everett/pds.html |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

| structural engineer = Magnusson Klemencic Associates{{cite journal |last1=Broughton |first1=David |title=Washington City Opens Home for Junior Hockey League Team |journal=SportsBusiness Journal |date=November 24, 2003 |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/20031124/Facilities/Washington-City-Opens-Home-For-Junior-Hockey-League-Team.aspx|access-date=March 25, 2012}}

| services engineer = Hermanson Co. LLP

| general_contractor = PCL Construction

| former_names = Everett Events Center (2003–2007)
Comcast Arena at Everett (2007–2014)
Xfinity Arena (2014–2017)

| tenants = {{ubl|

}}

| seating_capacity = Hockey: 8,149[http://www.whl.ca/uploads/assets/WHL_EN_SITE/WHLDocuments/2011_2012_WHL_Official_Guide_digital.pdf 2011-12 WHL Media Guide] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202042135/http://www.whl.ca/uploads/assets/WHL_EN_SITE/WHLDocuments/2011_2012_WHL_Official_Guide_digital.pdf |date=February 2, 2012 }}
Center stage concert: 10,000
End stage concert: 9,000

| website = {{URL|angelofthewindsarena.com}}

}}

Angel of the Winds Arena (originally known as Everett Events Center) is a multi-purpose sports arena complex in Everett, Washington, United States, designed and developed by the Everett Public Facilities District. It opened in October 2003 and primarily serves as the home of the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. The arena has 8,149 seats in its ice hockey configuration and 10,000 for concerts and other events. The naming rights to the venue were sold to Comcast in 2007 and subsequently to Angel of the Winds Casino Resort in 2017.{{cite press release |date=September 10, 2014 |title=Comcast Arena is now XFINITY Arena at Everett |url=http://xfinityarenaeverett.com/ArenaInfo/News.ashx?p=1158&82_na=138 |location=Everett, Washington |publisher=Xfinity Arena at Everett |access-date=September 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911104242/http://xfinityarenaeverett.com/ArenaInfo/News.ashx?p=1158&82_na=138 |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Winters |first=Chris |date=September 10, 2014 |title=Everett's events center renamed Xfinity Arena |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140910/NEWS01/140919858 |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=September 10, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Jim |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Angel of the Winds pays $3.4M for Everett arena naming rights |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/business/angel-of-the-winds-pays-3-4m-for-everett-arena-naming-rights/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=December 13, 2017}} The venue has hosted a variety of concerts and other performances, including the Ringling Brothers Circus, Disney on Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Sesame Street Live.

The venue also hosted 2008 Skate America, a three-day ice-skating championship featuring world-class skaters. The events were both nationally and internationally televised on NBC. It was the first event of six in the 2008-2009 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, a senior-level international invitational competition. This was Skate America's largest attendance ever recorded in its history.{{cite web |author=Nick Patterson |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/skate-americas-encore-in-everett-deemed-a-success/ |title=Can Everett become a regular on the figure-skating circuit? |date=October 30, 2018 |work=The Everett Herald|access-date=September 1, 2019}}

History

Construction on the arena began in April 2002 after the demolition of two city blocks in downtown Everett, which included several historic buildings along Hewitt Avenue from the early 20th century.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |date=March 19, 2002 |title=Regional downtowns are looking up |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/regional-downtowns-are-looking-up-1083248.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |accessdate=October 29, 2024}} The Everett Historical Commission refused to grant waivers for the demolition, but were overruled by the Everett City Council. The arena, named the Everett Events Center, opened to the public on September 27, 2003, for a preview event attended by approximately 4,000 people.{{cite news |last=Warnick |first=Jennifer |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Arena wows first crowd |page=A1 |work=The Everett Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-arena-wows-first-crowd/158106949/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=October 29, 2024}} It cost $71.5 million to construct.

The Everett Events Center hosted its first Western Hockey League game on October 4, 2003, between the Everett Silvertips and Prince George Cougars.{{cite news |last=Schucht |first=Eric |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Looking back on 20 years of Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/angel-of-the-winds-arena-commemorates-20-years-in-business/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=October 29, 2024}} The new arena booked several events that had traditionally used the Tacoma Dome, including Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters.{{cite news |last=Ruiz |first=Don |date=October 9, 2003 |title=Drop of pucks heralds a new hockey season |page=C1 |work=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115146089/drop-of-pucks-heralds-a-new-hockey/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 24, 2022}}

Tenants and events

In 2016, the arena served as the host for the 2016 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships. It also hosted WWE's flagship TV show Monday Night Raw on February 17, 2020,{{Cite web |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=15618 |title=Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships return to Everett, Wash., in 2016 |website=usagym.org}} and December 2, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.angelofthewindsarena.com/events/detail/wwe-raw |title=WWE RAW |website=angelofthewindsarena.com}} It also hosted All Elite Wrestling's flagship TV show Dynamite on May 15, 2024.

=Hockey=

File:Everett Silvertips vs. Portland at Angel of the Winds Arena, March 2023.jpg regular season game at Angel of the Winds Arena in 2023|left]]

Angel of the Winds Arena is the home of the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise. In their first season (2003–04), the Everett Silvertips won the WHL Western Conference Championship.

The arena also hosted a preseason games between National Hockey League (NHL) teams several times, beginning in September 2009 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Phoenix Coyotes. The game—the first between NHL teams in the region since 1997—was played in front of a sellout crowd of 7,281 spectators.{{cite news |last=Riley |first=Jim |date=September 22, 2009 |title=Everett fans pack Comcast Arena for NHL exhibition |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/everett-fans-pack-comcast-arena-for-nhl-exhibition/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 5, 2024}} The Seattle Kraken played a preseason game at Angel of the Winds Arena on October 1, 2021. Played as part of a regional tour prior to the inaugural season, the Kraken won 2–1 in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers.{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Jared McCann gives Kraken win vs. Oilers in overtime as club sees its first fight |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/kraken/jared-mccann-gives-kraken-win-vs-oilers-in-overtime-as-club-sees-its-first-fight/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}{{cite news |title=On the Road to Season Start Kraken announce preseason 'home' |url=https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/on-the-road-to-season-start/c-325615364 |website=NHL |date=July 9, 2021}}

The first American Hockey League regular season game to be played in Everett was between Kraken affiliates Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Calgary Wranglers on October 28, 2022.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Kraken's AHL affiliate set to play in Everett on Friday |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/krakens-ahl-affiliate-set-to-play-in-everett-on-friday/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=March 5, 2024}}

=Basketball=

The arena was home to the International Basketball League's Everett Explosion for one season in 2007 before they moved to Monroe and were renamed the Snohomish County Explosion, where they played until 2010.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association announced that it would play five home games during its 2019 season in Everett, while the rest are played at their temporary home in Seattle, the Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the University of Washington campus.{{cite news |last=Horton |first=Joshua |date=December 20, 2018 |title=Why the Seattle Storm will make a 'second home' of Everett |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/seattle-storm-excited-to-bring-wnba-basketball-to-everett/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 3, 2019}} The Storm played their season opener in Everett on May 25, 2019, using the same floor that had previously been installed at KeyArena.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=May 15, 2019 |title=Stage is set for the WNBA's Seattle Storm to play in Everett |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/stage-is-set-for-seattle-storm-in-everett/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 17, 2019}} The team planned to return in 2020 for eight games in Everett, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all WNBA games were moved to Bradenton, Florida.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=June 15, 2020 |title=Seattle Storm won't play any games in Everett this year |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/seattle-storm-wont-play-any-games-in-everett-this-year/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=May 9, 2021}}

The Storm played all 16 home games of their 2021 season at Angel of the Winds Arena with up to 2,000 fans allowed to attend per the state's COVID-19 reopening guidelines.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Percy |date=May 5, 2021 |title=Storm to welcome a limited number of fans back for 2021 home games |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/storm/storm-to-welcome-a-limited-number-of-fans-back-for-2021-home-games/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 9, 2021}}

=Arena football=

The Washington Wolfpack of Arena Football One will hold their debut game on March 16, 2025 at Angel of the Winds Arena.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Washington Wolfpack: Everett's arena football team gets a name |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/everetts-arena-football-team-to-be-named-washington-wolfpack/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=October 27, 2023}} It is the third arena football team to play at the arena. The Everett Hawks played for one season in the National Indoor Football League and one season in af2 before folding in 2007. The Everett Raptors played for one season in the Indoor Football League in 2012.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Patterson: After past fails, can arena football thrive in Everett? |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/patterson-after-past-fails-can-arena-football-thrive-in-everett/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=October 27, 2023}}

=Lacrosse=

In 2010, Comcast Arena became home to the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League. The franchise was previously known as the San Jose Stealth, and before that the Albany Attack.{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=4000 |title=NLL.com -- Official Website of the National Lacrosse League - Articles - STEALTH MOVE NORTH TO WASHINGTON |website=nll.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621003009/http://www.nll.com/article.php?id=4000 |archive-date=June 21, 2009}} After four seasons in Everett, the Washington Stealth were relocated to British Columbia in 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/news_article/show/267374?referrer_id%3D389123 |title=Stealth relocate to Vancouver | National Lacrosse League |access-date=June 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708033527/http://www.nll.com/news_article/show/267374?referrer_id=389123 |archive-date=July 8, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Stealth Relocate to Vancouver |url=http://www.nll.com/news_article/show/267374?referrer_id=389123}}

=Curling=

In 2017, the arena, then known as Xfinity Arena, was host to the USA Men's and Women's Curling National Championships. The men's championship was won by 2018 Winter Olympics gold medalists Team John Shuster, while Team Jamie Sinclair captured the women's crown.

=Banked track roller derby=

Angel of the Winds Arena is also home to the Tilted Thunder Rail Birds, a Seattle-based, all-female, banked track roller derby league.{{cite web |url=http://www.tiltedthunder.com/about |title=About the League | Tilted Thunder Rail Birds |website=tiltedthunder.com |access-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221084045/http://www.tiltedthunder.com/about |archive-date=February 21, 2012 |url-status=usurped}}

= Tennis =

On February 7–8, 2020 Angel of the Winds Arena hosted USTA Fed Cup qualifying event with competing teams USA and Latvia.{{Cite web |title=Fed Cup Everett |url=https://www.usta.com/en/home/pro/pro-tennis-events/fed-cup-information.html|access-date=February 1, 2022 |website=usta.com |language=en}}

=Rodeo=

Several bull riding tours have held events at the arena. The Professional Bull Riders's premier series, the Unleash the Beast Series, made its Everett debut on April 6, 2022.{{cite news |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=April 4, 2022 |title=8 buck-wild seconds: PBR's Unleash the Beast tour comes to Everett |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/8-buck-wild-seconds-pbrs-unleash-the-beast-tour-comes-to-everett/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 26, 2024}} It returned in 2023 and 2024.{{cite news |last=Hansen |first=Jordan |date=April 18, 2024 |title=PBR bull riders kick up dirt in Everett Stampede headliner |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/pbr-bull-riders-kick-up-dirt-in-everett-stampede-headliner/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=May 26, 2024}}

Other uses

Angel of the Winds Arena is used for annual high school and community college graduation ceremonies through agreements with several local school districts.{{cite news |last1=Gruben |first1=Mallory |last2=Breda |first2=Isabella |date=June 16, 2022 |title=Amid criticism, Everett gun show on graduation day postponed |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/after-outrage-everett-gun-show-on-graduation-day-postponed/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=October 29, 2024}}

The arena hosted a campaign rally for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump on August 30, 2016. He spoke for 48 minutes in front of an estimated 9,184 people in attendance; the event cost $79,000 in extra policing and other staffing, which was partially recouped by the rental fee.{{cite news |date=August 30, 2016 |title=At Everett rally, Trump slams Clinton, Syrian refugees |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/in-everett-trump-makes-pitch-for-black-voters/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=February 8, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Winters |first1=Chris |last2=King |first2=Rikki |date=September 1, 2016 |title=Everett spent $79,000 in staffing, equipment for Trump |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-spends-80000-in-staffing-equipment-for-trump-rally/ |work=The Everett Herald |accessdate=February 8, 2024}}

On April 1, 2020, the arena opened as a COVID-19 quarantine center with 150 beds amid the coronavirus pandemic. The quarantine center was meant for patients with COVID-19 and are unable to self-isolate or quarantine at home.{{cite news |last1=Davey |first1=Stephanie |last2=Riley |first2=Rachel |date=April 1, 2020 |title=Everett hockey arena opens as COVID-19 quarantine center |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-hockey-arena-opens-as-covid-19-quarantine-center/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=April 1, 2020}}

Conference Center

The Edward D. Hansen Conference Center is a three-story addition to the arena that cost US$12 million to construct. The facility includes a {{convert|11,385|sqft|m2|adj=on}} ballroom that is capable of accommodating 800 guests. In addition to the ballroom, the conference center has three executive meeting rooms available as private meeting space. The conference center hosts approximately 200 events annually. It is also home to a public art collection, which includes artwork from the Pilchuck Glass Collection.{{cite web |url=https://www.angelofthewindsarena.com/conference-center |title=Edward D. Hansen Conference Center}}

Ice rink

The Xfinity Community Ice Rink is an NHL regulation 200' x 85' ice rink that is located inside Angel of the Winds Arena. It is a public ice skating rink, which is used for public skating, local hockey leagues, figure skating, instructional sessions, and much more. Currently the rink is open year-round, and has the versatility to transform into a {{convert|57000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} space with the capability to host trade shows, expositions, consumer shows and special events.

Concerts

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References

{{Reflist}}