Appalachian Wireless Arena
{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Pikeville, Kentucky, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}{{Infobox venue
| name = Appalachian Wireless Arena
| image =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| location = 126 Main Street
Pikeville, Kentucky
| coordinates = {{coord|37.481542|-82.515054|format=dms}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = October 2005[http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/PikeCountyKY/PikeCountyKY/Divisions/DocumentsCategories/Documents/Expo%20Info%20.pdf Description of the Venue]
| renovated =
| expanded =
| owner = Commonwealth of Kentucky
| operator = City of Pikeville
| construction_cost = $29 million
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|29000000|2005}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| former_names = Eastern Kentucky Expo Center (2005–2019)
| tenants =
| seating_capacity = 7,000 (concerts)
5,700 (sporting events)
| website = https://www.appalachianwirelessarena.com
}}
The Appalachian Wireless Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Pikeville, Kentucky. Opened in October 2005, it hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. The facility, which can seat 7,000 for concerts and 5,700 for sporting events, is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and managed by the City of Pikeville.
History
From 2005 to 2019, the facility was named the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, however in June 2019 naming rights were sold to Appalachian Wireless, as part of a 5-year, $85,000/year contract.{{Cite web|title=Expo officially becomes Appalachian Wireless Arena|url=https://www.news-expressky.com/news/article_4b877ae8-8644-11e9-aa73-fbf1c0e4f08f.html|last=Anderson|first=Chris|website=Appalachian News-Express|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}{{Cite web|title=New Name Going Up at Kentucky Arena|url=https://venuesnow.com/new-name-going-up-at-kentucky-arena/|date=2019-07-11|website=VenuesNow|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}
On October 22, 2022, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball played the annual Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage, normally held at Rupp Arena at Appalachian Wireless Arena to raise money for relief due to the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. The event raised over $160,000.{{cite web |last1=Letcher |first1=Tim |title=White Tops Blue; Cats Raise over $160,000 for Eastern Kentucky |url=https://ukathletics.com/news/2022/10/22/white-tops-blue-cats-raise-over-160000-for-eastern-kentucky/ |publisher=Kentucky Wildcats |access-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023042446/https://ukathletics.com/news/2022/10/22/white-tops-blue-cats-raise-over-160000-for-eastern-kentucky/|archive-date=23 October 2022}}
About
- 7,000-seat arena[http://eastkyexpo.com/about.htm About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615132925/http://eastkyexpo.com/about.htm |date=2014-06-15 }} Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
- 26,000 sq. feet facility— 24,000 sq. foot arena floor
- 5,000 sq. feet of meeting room/ballroom space with sub divisible wall
- Boardroom space for smaller meetings
- 3 Levels: event level, main concourse, upper level
- 5 concession stands around the main concourse level
- Full Service Food & Beverage Department by Elite Catering
Tenants
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: center; width: 100%;"
! style="width:30%; background: #C0C0C0;" | Club ! style="width:10%; background: #C0C0C0;" | Sport ! style="width:15%; background: #C0C0C0;" | Years Active ! style="width:20%; background: #C0C0C0;" | League |
| Kentucky Drillers
| 2011–2013 |
| UPike Bears
| 2005–present | NAIA |
| East Kentucky Drillers
| 2011–2012 | UIFL |
| East Kentucky Energy
| 2010–2012 | ABA |
| East Kentucky Miners
| 2007–2009 | CBA |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.appalachianwirelessarena.com/}}
- [https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Kentucky-Exposition-Center/184633102663 Facebook page]
- [https://twitter.com/@eastkyexpo Twitter page]
{{Music venues of Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky college basketball venues}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Pikeville Bears basketball
Category:Indoor arenas in Kentucky
Category:Buildings and structures in Pike County, Kentucky
Category:Sports venues in Kentucky
Category:Basketball venues in Kentucky
Category:Sports venues completed in 2005
Category:Convention centers in Kentucky