Bank of Springfield Center

{{Infobox venue

| name = Bank of Springfield Center

| image = Bank of Springfield Center 2017.jpg

| image_caption =

| pushpin_map = USA Illinois

| pushpin_mapsize = 200

| pushpin_map_caption =

| pushpin_label_position =

| coordinates = {{coord|39|48|3.24|N|89|38|39.84|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| location = 1 Convention Center Plaza,
Springfield, Illinois, United States

| publictransit = {{Bus icon}} SMTD

| owner = Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority

| built =

| opened = October 1979

| renovated = 2011–2013

| expanded =

| closed =

| demolished =

| construction_cost=

| surface = multi-surface

| capacity = 7,700

| suites =

| record_attendance= 10,200

| former_names = Prairie Capital Convention Center (1979–2017)

| banquets =

| theatre =

| exhibit =

| breakout =

| ballroom =

| tenants = Illinois Express (WBL) (1989–1990)
Springfield Stallions (CIFL) (2007)
Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAA) (2015)

| website = {{URL|theboscenter.com/}}

}}

The Bank of Springfield Center (originally the Prairie Capital Convention Center) is a 7,700-seat multi-purpose arena located in Springfield, Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://springfieldpc3.com/VenueInfo/Capacity/tabid/103/Default.aspx| title=BOS Center: Capacity| website=BOS Center|access-date=15 July 2018}}

The facility is adaptable to host a variety of events, including large concerts, theatrical performances, trade shows, sporting events, and school graduation ceremonies, as well as smaller gatherings such as professional training meetings, weddings and banquets.

The facility contains {{convert|44,000|sqft|m2}} of column-free space in the main hall and {{convert|21,000|sqft|m2}} of meeting room space in the lower level. It connects, via a tunnel, to the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel.

History

It was built in 1978 and is operated by the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority (SMEAA).

The arena hosts local concerts and sporting events for the area and is the former home of the Illinois Express of the World Basketball League and the Springfield Stallions indoor football team.

Prairie Capital Convention Center underwent a renovation between 2011–2014 to modernize its facilities and expand the types of events it can accommodate. This transformation included extensive expansion of the lobby by {{convert|6,000|sqft|m2}}, the addition of the outdoor BOS Plaza, additional concessions areas, an upper-level patio terrace, and two upper-level terrace areas.{{cite web| url=http://springfieldpc3.com/venue-info.aspx| title=BOS Center: Venue Information| access-date=15 July 2018| website=BOS Center}}

In November 2015, the arena hosted the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team for five games while renovations to the State Farm Center were completed.{{cite press release| url=http://www.theboscenter.com/news/tabid/125/pccc-to-host-illini-basketball-nov-2015.aspx?TabId=125&PostId=9| title=PCCC to host Illini Basketball for 5 games in November 2015| date=October 30, 2014| access-date=October 30, 2014| publisher=University of Illinois}} College wrestling tournaments have also been held at the convention center.

Also in November 2015, Donald Trump held a rally in the Prairie Capital Convention Center for 10,000 supporters.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-campaign-speech-2015-11 |title=A crowd of 10,000-plus went nuts for Trump in Illinois last night — pundits are still underestimating him |website=Business Insider }}

On June 5, 2017, the SMEAA announced that it approved an agreement to sell the naming rights for the facility to the Bank of Springfield for ten years.{{cite news| url=http://sj-r.com/news/20170605/pccc-is-now-bank-of-springfield-center| title=PCCC is now Bank of Springfield Center| first=Bernard| last=Schoenburg | newspaper=The State Journal-Register| date=June 5, 2017| access-date=December 30, 2018| location=Springfield}}

In January 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives convened in the arena rather than the State Capitol in order to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last= Emerson |first= Jakob |date= 4 January 2021 |title= Illinois General Assembly to return to Springfield for lame duck session |url= https://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-general-assembly-to-return-to-springfield-for-lame-duck-session |work= WICS |location= Springfield, Illinois |access-date= 13 January 2021}}