Welsh Auditorium
{{Short description|Former multi-purpose hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Welsh Auditorium
| nickname =
| image = Civic auditorium, Grand Rapids, Michigan (64097).jpg
| fullname = Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium
| location = Grand Rapids, Michigan
| coordinates = {{coord|42.967658|-85.673940|display=it|type:landmark}}
| broke_ground = 1932
| built = 1932-1933
| opened = 1933
| renovated = 1984,{{Cite web|url=http://www.erhardtcc.com/Projects/Municipal-Civil/Welsh-Auditorium.aspx|title = Erhardt Projects Page}} 2005
| expanded =
| closed = 2003
| demolished =
| owner = Grand Rapids, Michigan
| operator = Grand Rapids, Michigan
| surface =
| construction_cost = 1.5 Million
| architect =Robinson & Campau; Smith, Hinchman and Grylls
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| general_contractor=Owens-Ames-Kimball
| project_manager =City Manager George Welsh
| main_contractors =
| former_names = Civic Auditorium (1933–1975)
| tenants = Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL) (1950)
Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1989–1996)
| seating_capacity = 3,800
|
}}
Welsh Auditorium also known as "Civic Auditorium," was a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena and convention center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The front façade and lobby remain today.
History
According to the History of Grand Rapids: "Though desired for many years, Grand Rapids finally obtained a public auditorium during the Great Depression. Hoping to put the city’s unemployed to work on the project, City Manager George Welsh coordinated a one-and-a-half million-dollar public bond effort in 1930 to fund the construction project. The building committee selected the riverfront site of the old interurban station at Lyon and Campau.
Local architects Robinson & Campau produced a design that combined Renaissance and Art Deco elements. The building included an exhibition hall, meeting rooms, a concert space, and the main arena for a total capacity of over 8,000 spectators. The vast lobby reflects the sleek, polished metal and marble of the Art Deco style."{{Cite web|url=http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2499/civic-auditorium|title = Civic Auditorium}}
Civic Auditorium was home to the Grand Rapids Hornets of the National Professional Basketball League (1950-1951) and the Grand Rapids Hoops, of the Continental Basketball Association. It also hosted many concerts and events.
In 1975, Civic Auditorium was renamed the "George Welsh Civic Auditorium," after the former City Manager and Mayor. The name shortened to "Welsh Auditorium" over time.{{cite web |url=https://devosperformancehall.com/history-1 |title=History {{!}} DeVos Performance Hall |website=devosperformancehall.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110211057/http://devosperformancehall.com/history-1 |archive-date=2013-11-10}}
With the "Civic Auditorium" front façade and lobby remaining intact, the auditorium portion was imploded on July 19, 2003, and in February 2005 was incorporated as a part of the Steelcase Ballroom of the DeVos Place Convention Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.historygrandrapids.org/audio/2499/civic-auditorium|title = Civic Auditorium}}{{Cite web|url=http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116142920/http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium-1/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 16, 2017|title = Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium}}{{Cite web|url=http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115031729/http://grandrapidsbuildings.com/civic-auditorium/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 15, 2017|title = Civic Auditorium}}
External links
- [http://www.historygrandrapids.org/items.php?itemId=424&full=1 Venue information]
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Music venues completed in 1933
Category:Sports venues completed in 1933
Category:Defunct sports venues in Michigan
Category:Buildings and structures in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Category:Convention centers in Michigan
Category:Concert halls in Michigan
Category:Defunct indoor arenas in the United States
Category:1933 establishments in Michigan
Category:Sports venues demolished in 2003
Category:2003 disestablishments in Michigan
Category:Demolished sports venues in Michigan
Category:Indoor arenas in Michigan
Category:Buildings and structures demolished by controlled implosion
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