Wallace Civic Center
{{Infobox venue
|stadium_name = George R. Wallace Jr. Civic Center
|nickname =
|image = Wallace Civic Center.JPG
|image_size = 250px
|location = 1000 John Fitch Highway Fitchburg, Massachusetts
|broke_ground =
|opened = 1970
|owner = Fitchburg State University
|operator = FMC Arenas{{Cite web |url=http://www.fmcarenas.com/public/locations/fitchburg.htm |title=Facility Management Corporation | Putting quality recreation on ice! | 1.888.64.RINKS |access-date=2008-10-05 |archive-date=2008-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913180653/http://fmcarenas.com/public/locations/fitchburg.htm |url-status=dead }}
|construction_cost=
|architect =
|former_names=
|tenants=
|seating_capacity =
}}
File:Wallace Civic Center 2.JPG
The George R. Wallace Jr. Civic Center, more commonly known as the Civic Center, is a 1,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and has an end-stage concert capacity of 3,200. It hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. First opened in 1970, the Wallace Civic Center consists of the Gaetz Arena, the Landry Arena, a planetarium, and several multi-use banquet rooms.
History
The Wallace Civic Center opened in 1970 due to funding by George Wallace, a Fitchburg resident.[http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/History.htm Wallace Civic Center History] it consisted of two separate ice rinks and a planetarium.
In the nearly 40 years since the Civic Center opened, it has hosted public skating, summer camps, hockey leagues, figure skating, trade shows, concerts, tournaments, events and private functions. Notably it has hosted a Moon rock[http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/Planetarium.htm Wallace Civic Center Planetarium] and hockey games featuring the Boston Bruins.
During the 1990s the Civic Center witnessed a large number of performances by large Alternative rock bands such as Nirvana,{{cite web |url=http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1993.php |title=Nirvana Live Guide - 1993 |website=www.nirvanaguide.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031016004407/http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1993.php |archive-date=2003-10-16}} The Foo Fighters,[http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/pages/pastperformers.htm Wallace Civic Center Past Performances] Jane's Addiction, The Smashing Pumpkins, Fugazi, Soundgarden, and Rage Against the Machine.{{cite web| url=http://www.fitchburgpride.com/news/2008/1107/front_page/001.html| title=Unknown }}{{dead link|date=November 2023|fix-attempted=yes}} As the Civic Center slowly fell into disrepair over the course of the decades the planetarium had to be closed, and concerts fell into disfavor.
Control and ownership of the Civic Center was transferred from the City of Fitchburg to Fitchburg State University in August 2007.[http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw07/sl070088.htm CHAPTER 88 OF THE ACTS OF 2007] Since this transfer, the college has performed many upgrades to the Civic Center. These include new roofing, new ice making machinery and ventilation, and overall refurbishment. They have also transformed the Landry Arena into an indoor turf field.[http://www.telegram.com/article/20080714/NEWS/807140537 Worcester Telegram & Gazette News]
Teams
The Civic Center is home to the Fitchburg State Falcons division III college ice hockey team and a new junior team, as well as the Bay State Brawlers Roller Derby league. It is also the home of hockey teams from North Middlesex Regional High School, Leominster High School, Fitchburg High School, and Lunenburg High School.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wallaceciviccenter.com/ web site]
- [http://www.fmcarenas.com/public/locations/fitchburg.htm#Rink_Facts FMC arena site]
- [http://www.nirvanaguide.com/images.php?id=931112 Images from the Nirvana concert]
{{coord|42.5949|N|71.7845|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Category:Fitchburg State University
Category:Sports venues completed in 1970
Category:1970 establishments in Massachusetts
Category:College ice hockey venues in Massachusetts