Stormont Vail Events Center
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Short description|Arena in Topeka, Kansas}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Stormont Vail Events Center
| nickname =
| image = 300px
| pushpin_map = Kansas#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Kansas##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = Stormont Vail Events Center
| fullname =
| former names = Kansas Expocentre
| location = Topeka, Kansas
| opened = April 17, 1987
| owner = Shawnee County, Kansas
| operator = Spectra Venue Management
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| former_names =
| capacity = 10,000 (Concerts)
7,773 (ice hockey)
| tenants = Kansas Koyotes (APFL/CPIFL) (2003–2014)
Topeka Roadrunners/Pilots (NAHL) (2007–2020)
Topeka Sizzlers (CBA) (1987–1990)
Topeka ScareCrows (CHL/USHL) (1998–2003)
Topeka Kings/Knights (IFL) (1999–2000)
Topeka Tarantulas (CHL) (2004–2005)
Topeka Capitals (NA3HL) (2013–2015)
Topeka Tropics (CIF) (2022–2023)
Topeka Scarecrows (FPHL) (2025–)
}}
The Stormont Vail Events Center, formerly known as Kansas Expocentre, is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena built in 1987 in Topeka, Kansas. Previously, the Topeka Sizzlers of the Continental Basketball Association, Kansas Koyotes indoor football team,Topeka Tarantulas, Topeka ScareCrows, Topeka Pilots ice hockey and Topeka Tropics of the National Arena League (NAL) teams played there. Many other shows, including concerts, perform here.
The Kansas Expocentre was renamed on June 13, 2019, to the Stormont Vail Events Center after signing a ten-year partnership agreement with Topeka-based Stormont Vail Health.
It has hosted the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 5A boys and girls state basketball tournaments since its opening, and the KSHSAA Class 5A and 6A volleyball state championships since 1992. The arena also hosts the USA Wrestling Kansas Kids state championship tournament every March.
Landon Arena is the main part of the events center. Other areas include the Exhibition Hall, a building for trade shows, and Domer Arena, a livestock/horse show arena.{{cite web|url=http://ksexpo.com/|title= ksexpo.com|access-date=2009-03-16}}
Features
Landon Arena contains 7,450 fixed seats, with over 2,550 floor seats. The arena is climate controlled and features computerized lighting, closed circuit TV security, a state-of-the-art sound system, {{convert|13|ft|m|adj=on}} drive-in entrance, plenty of power, and built-in ice capabilities.{{cite web|url=http://ksexpo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=53|title=ksexpo.com Expocentre Facilities.|access-date=2009-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223113346/http://ksexpo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=53|archive-date=2009-02-23|url-status=dead}}
History
The {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} site in the center of Topeka has a long history of use for activities related to agriculture, farming, exhibitions, education and entertainment as the Shawnee County Fairgrounds.{{cn|date=September 2021}} The grand opening of the Kansas Expocentre was on April 17, 1987, with a sold-out concert featuring Kenny Rogers, T. Graham Brown, and Ronnie Milsap.{{cite web|url=http://ksexpo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=177|title=Kansas Expocentre History.|access-date=2009-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223113313/http://ksexpo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=177|archive-date=2009-02-23|url-status=dead}}
Landon Arena, named for Kansas' elder statesman, governor Alfred M. Landon (1887–1987) was built 1987. To tie the old buildings to the new facilities, an indoor passageway was constructed between the conference center and exhibit hall. It hosted the first Expocentre event with nearly 9,000 people attending a Topeka Sizzlers basketball game.
Significant events
Landon Arena has been the venue for many concerts, family shows, trade shows, consumer shows, horse shows, dog shows and a variety of exhibitions.
- Concert performers have included George Strait, Garth Brooks, KISS, Bob Dylan, My Chemical Romance, Aerosmith, Heart, Rush, Primus, Cher, Rise Against,{{cite web |title=Rise Against |url=http://www.riseagainst.com/events/detail.aspx?eid=55285&arch=arch&cmnt=1 |website=Rise Against |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103170443/http://www.riseagainst.com/events/detail.aspx?eid=55285&arch=arch&cmnt=1 |archive-date=Jan 3, 2011 |language=en |date=2 Mar 2007}} Alice Cooper, Carrie Underwood,{{cite web |title=Topeka, KS {{ndash}} Landon Arena |url=http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/event/2008/09/30 |website=www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618002718/http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/event/2008/09/30 |archive-date=Jun 18, 2008 |language=en |date=Sep 30, 2008}} Little Big Town, Avenged Sevenfold, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Eric Church, and Kansas.{{cite web|last1=Ogle|first1=Ryan|title=Kansas Concert Moved to Expocentre|url=http://www.wibwnewsnow.com/kansas-concert-moved-expocentre/|website=WIBW News|access-date=30 June 2016}}
- It has also hosted some wrestling shows such as WCW, WWE Raw, ECW, WWE Friday Night SmackDown, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling house shows.
- Ice shows include Disney on Ice and High School Musical: The Concert Tour.
- Other Disney shows include Disney Live, Winnie the Pooh, Playhouse Disney Live, and My Little Pony Live.
- The arena also hosts the Arab Shrine Circus each year.
- Blizzard Bash, an annual demolition derby event.{{Cite web |title=Blizzard Bash 2024 |url=https://www.stormontvaileventscenter.com/events/2024/blizzard-bash-2024 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.stormontvaileventscenter.com |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.stormontvaileventscenter.com/p/facilities/landon-arena Landon Arena official site]
{{Coord|39.034136|-95.685854|display=t|type:landmark}}
{{CIF}}
{{Music venues of Kansas}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Sports venues completed in 1987
Category:Buildings and structures in Topeka, Kansas
Category:Ice hockey venues in Kansas
Category:Music venues in Kansas
Category:Tourist attractions in Topeka, Kansas