Fort Worth Convention Center

{{Infobox convention center

| name = Fort Worth Convention Center

| image = Forth Worth Convention Center.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Exterior of convention center, c.2008

| former_names = Tarrant County Convention Center {{small|(1968-97)}}

| address = 12 Houston St
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6432

| location = Sundance Square, Downtown Fort Worth

| coordinates =

| owner = City of Fort Worth

| operator = Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau

| architect = Preston M. Geren Sr.

| built =

| inaugurated =

| renovated = 1983, 2003

| opened = September 30, 1968

| closed =

| demolished =

| construction_cost = $5.5 million
{{small|(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|5500000|1967}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})}}

| classroom_cap =

| banquets = 4,210 {{small|(Water Garden Events Plaza)}}
3,544 {{small|(FWCC Ballroom)}}

| theatre = 13,500 {{small|(FWCC Arena)}}

| total_space =

| exhibit = {{convert|227613|sqft|m2}}

| breakout = {{convert|58849|sqft|m2}}

| ballroom = {{convert|109120|sqft|m2}}

| parking =

| bicycle =

| publictransit =

| website = {{URL|http://www.fortworth.com/meetings/convention-center/|Official Website}}

}}

The Fort Worth Convention Center (formerly known as the Tarrant County Convention Center) is a convention center and indoor arena located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The complex opened on September 30, 1968, and was expanded in 1983, 2002 and 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5WPX |title=Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX |access-date=January 18, 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://secure.historicfortworth.org/Shop/OnlineStore/tabid/555/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/ProductName/catpageindex/4/Level/1/ProductID/43/Default.aspx |title=Tarrant County Convention Center Vintage Postcard |access-date=January 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414224602/https://secure.historicfortworth.org/Shop/OnlineStore/tabid/555/CategoryID/3/List/0/SortField/ProductName/catpageindex/4/Level/1/ProductID/43/Default.aspx |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

Background

File:Forth Worth Convention Center-panorama.jpg

The complex was proposed by county officials in 1961 as a competitor to the Dallas Convention Center and approved in 1967. Over 14 city blocks (previously known as "Hell's Half Acre") were demolished to make way for the new facility that opened in 1968. The building is noted for the indoor arena, resembling a flying saucer. In 1997 the City of Fort Worth purchased the facilities and properties, changing the complex's name to the Fort Worth Convention Center. In 2000 the JFK Theatre was demolished to make way for the Water Garden Events Plaza. In 2014 the city proposed to demolish the aging arena for an additional meeting space.{{cite web |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150131-project-will-build-more-spacious-arena-next-door-to-beloved-1936-will-rogers-coliseum.ece |title=Fort Worth project will build more spacious arena next door to beloved Will Rogers Coliseum |last1=Fox |first1=Laurie |date=January 31, 2015 |website=The Dallas Morning News |publisher=A. H. Belo Corporation |access-date=January 7, 2016 }}

In January 2020, plans to demolish the Convention Center's arena were confirmed by the Fort Worth City Council. In addition to the arena's demolition, the plans also include straightening Commerce Street, building a 1,000 seat hotel and adding over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, with groundbreaking intended for 2022 or 2023.{{cite news |last1=Ranker |first1=Luke |title=Fort Worth will demolish arena for convention center expansion |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article239054148.html |access-date=18 April 2022 |publisher=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=January 17, 2020}}

Notable events

Ike & Tina Turner performed at the Tarrant County Convention Center Arena on March 11, 1972.{{Cite news |last=Leclercq |first=Matt |date=May 24, 2023 |title=‘Simply the best’: Remember Tina Turner’s electric concerts in Fort Worth & Dallas? |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article275755271.html |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram}}

Elvis Presley performed there on June 18, 1972. He returned for two dates on June 15 and 16, 1974, doing an afternoon and evening show on each day at the arena. He returned again on June 3 and July 3, 1976.{{cite web |url=http://tcbelvisworld.blogspot.com/2009/11/elvis-concert-list-1974.html |title=Elvis Concert List - 1974 |access-date=January 18, 2020}}

The concert movie Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones was partially filmed during two June 24, 1972, shows (matinee and evening) at the arena during the Rolling Stones' 1972 Tour of America.{{cite magazine |last=Spitz |first=Marc |date=October 11, 2010 |title=Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones Finally Gets the DVD Treatment |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2010/10/ladies-and-gentlemen-the-rolling-stones |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=January 23, 2020}}

Bob Dylan's highly successful 1974 "comeback tour" featuring The Band played the facility on January 25, 1974. Dylan played two more shows there on May 16, 1976, and November 24, 1978.{{cite web |url=http://www.bobdylan.com/setlists?title_id=19552 |title=Bob Dylan: Setlists at Tarrant County Convention Center Arena |website=bobdylan.com |access-date=January 23, 2020}}

On May 3, 1976, Paul McCartney and Wings opened the North American leg of the Wings Over the World tour at the arena.{{cite web |url=https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/tour/wings-over-the-world-tour/ |title=Wings Over the World Tour: Sep 9, 1975 to Oct 21, 1976 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=the-paulmccartney-project.com}}

On November 3, 1976, and again on July 7 and 8, 1977, Eagles performed three sold-out shows as part of their 1976-1978 Hotel California Tour at the arena.{{cite web |url=http://www.eaglesonlinecentral.com/tour/1976hc.htm |title=1976-1978 Hotel California Tour |access-date=January 18, 2020}}

On May 1, 1977, Pink Floyd played a show on the In the Flesh Tour at the arena which has surfaced on bootleg over the years.{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Pink-Floyd-In-The-Flesh-A-Look-at-the-US-Tour-1977/release/13086297 |title=In The Flesh-A Look at the US Tour 1977 |access-date=January 18, 2020}}

February 27, 1977 was selected as the first date of the Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977 at the arena, but that tour was delayed in starting. The rescheduled Fort Worth date was May 22, 1977.{{cite web |url=https://www.ledzeppelin.com/show/may-22-1977 |title=Led Zeppelin Timeline: May 22, 1977 |website=ledzeppelin.com |access-date=January 18, 2020}}

July 28, 1978, Bob Marley and The Wailers played at the convention center as part of their Kaya Tour.

On June 28, 1979, The Bee Gees kicked off their Spirits Having Flown Tour which was filmed for The Bee Gees Special that aired later in the year on NBC.{{cite book |author1=Andrew Môn Hughes |author2=Hector Cook |author3=Melinda Bilyeu |title=The Bee Gees: Tales of the Brothers Gibb |language=en |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2000 |isbn=1780387407 }}

On November 23 and 24, 1987, U2 performed two sold-out shows as part of their Joshua Tree tour. Parts of the second show were filmed and appeared in the feature film "Rattle and Hum", a documentary of the tour. The song "When Love Comes to Town" featuring B.B. King was prominent in the film.{{cite web |url=https://www.u2.com/tour/date/id/3940 |title=Joshua Tree, November 23, 1987 |website=u2.com |access-date=January 23, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.u2.com/tour/date/id/45561433 |title=Joshua Tree, November 24, 1987 |website=u2.com |access-date=January 23, 2020}}{{cite book |author=Pimm Jal de la Parra |title=U2 Live: A Concert Documentary |language=en |year=1994 |isbn=0711991987 |page=118}}

The Metallica concert video Cunning Stunts was recorded at the Fort Worth Convention Center on May 9–10, 1997, toward the end of the Poor Touring Me tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/releases/films/release-4267.html |title=Cunning Stunts |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=metallica.com}}

On February 26, 2016, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally for his campaign at the convention center.{{cite web |title=Trump holds rally in Fort Worth |url=http://www.wfaa.com/news/politics/8000-expected-at-trumps-fort-worth-rally/57249236 |publisher=Wfaa.com |year=2016 |access-date=March 20, 2017 |archive-date=March 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083811/http://www.wfaa.com/news/politics/8000-expected-at-trumps-fort-worth-rally/57249236 |url-status=dead }}

On September 15 & 16, 2018, the South Korean group BTS held two concerts as part of their Love Yourself Tour.{{cite news |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/music/article218497980.html |title=BTS marches to K-pop beat, but their loyal ARMY steals Saturday night's show |work=star-telegram |access-date=September 16, 2018 |language=en}}

On May 8, 2019, the South Korean group Blackpink held a concert as part of their In Your Area World Tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.vividseats.com/blog/blackpink-tour-dates |title=BLACKPINK Announce 2019 In Your Area Tour: Dates and Tickets |date=February 12, 2019 |first=Maritza |last=Salazar |website=vividseats.com |access-date=January 23, 2020}}

Sports

Texas Chaparrals (ABA) (1970–1971)
Fort Worth Fire (CHL) (1992–1999)
Fort Worth Brahmas (WPHL/CHL) (1997–2006)
Fort Worth Cavalry (AFL) (1994)
Fort Worth Flyers (NBA D-League) (2005–2007)
North Texas Bulls (AAL/AFA) (2021–2022)

For a time in 1970–71, it hosted home games for the Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association.{{cite web |url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/TeamMaterial/DallasMaterial/ChaparralsSpursYearly.html |title=Dallas Chaparrals (1967-68 to 1972-73) Year-to-Year Notes |first=Robert |last=Bradley |access-date=January 19, 2020}} During the 1990s, the building was home to the Fort Worth Fire and Fort Worth Brahmas ice hockey teams, as well as the Arena Football League's Fort Worth Cavalry. From 2005 to 2007, it was home to the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Development League. In 2020, it hosted the home games for the North Texas Bulls out of the American Arena League.

The arena also hosted the 1992 Davis Cup final, which saw the United States defeat Switzerland.

The 2018 National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) held their 30th annual National Championships at the convention center.{{cite web|url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=21701|title=NAIGC Concludes Record Setting 2018 National Championships|publisher=usagym.org|access-date=2018-09-02}}

External links

[http://www.fortworthgov.org/publicevents/info/default.aspx?id=5724&ekmensel=1774_submenu_4006_link_3 Fort Worth Convention Center Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606070710/http://www.fortworthgov.org/publicevents/info/default.aspx?id=5724&ekmensel=1774_submenu_4006_link_3 |date=2009-06-06 }}
[http://www.worldclasswrestling.info/tour/fwcc.htm World Class Memories: VIRTUAL WCCW TOUR - FORT WORTH CONVENTION CENTER]

{{Succession box

| title=Davis Cup
Final Venue

| before=Palais des Sports de Gerland
Lyon

| after=Exhibition Hall
Düsseldorf

| years=1992

}}

{{Coord|32.749|N|97.3277|W|source:ACME Mapper 2.0|display=title}}