Veterans Memorial Coliseum has unveiled the results of a renovation that led to several improvements, including technology upgrades.
The outcome of a two-year, $2.5 million renovation to the facility was recently unveiled. Thanks to that project, Veterans Memorial Coliseum has received several upgrades, including changes to its concessions, along with restored wagon wheel lights that hang over the concourse, and a new Wi-Fi system.
This marks the latest development for a venerable facility that is currently home to the Portland Winterhawks (Western Hockey League). Veterans Memorial Coliseum originally opened in 1960, served as the home of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers from 1970-1995, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
In past years, there had been discussion of eventually tearing Veterans Memorial Coliseum down for redevelopment, and the site was at one point eyed as the location of a proposed Minor League Baseball ballpark. However, the upgrades mark the latest investment in the arena, and Rose Quarter general manager Amanda Mann said that officials will work to bring more events to the venue. More from The Portland Tribune:
Two years ago, the VMC received a new center hung video screen and scoreboard. Last year it got a new roof. Does Mann feel the arena is safer from the wrecking ball than it was then?
“The city are showing their commitment,” she said. “We could do more sporting events.”
In late November, to coincide with Nike founder Phil Knight’s 80th birthday, the VMC will host the Phil Knight Invitational, with 16 college hoops teams.
“And more concerts and conferences. We’re working with the city and Travel Portland to try to bring in more work. We went for Outdoor Retailer but Denver got it.” Another pitch, for Interbike, missed too. The show is going to Reno, Nevada. “We’re not competing with the Oregon Convention Center, we’re trying to work with them,” said Mann.
According to the Tribune, Mann also reported that “VMC has been turning a profit for the last three years.”
