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History

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Construction on the $158 million PNC Arena began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 22, 1997 and the arena doors opened for business in October 1999, representing the culmination of the collaborative efforts of a unique partnership known as the Centennial Authority. The Centennial Authority owns the PNC Arena and the surrounding 80 acres, while the facility itself is operated by the Carolina Hurricanes/Gale Force Sports & Entertainment. Funds for the arena are provided by the State of North Carolina, the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina State University and the Carolina Hurricanes.

The roots of the PNC Arena can be traced to the early 1980’s when local officials and NC State University began thinking of a replacement to venerable Reynolds Coliseum. Reynolds Coliseum along with Dorton Arena had together served the area for sports and entertainment for decades, but each had grown outdated. In 1988, the first public funds were provided when the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1.5 million that was matched by NC State University to plan an arena next to Carter-Finley Stadium in West Raleigh. Milestone events then followed.

1991 – The General Assembly authorized Wake County to levy a room occupancy and a prepared foods and beverage tax to fund projects “including a coliseum to be built in conjunction with North Carolina State University at Raleigh…” Later than year, Wake County and the City of Raleigh signed what has come to be called an Interlocal Agreement. That agreement required funding from the State of North Carolina and NC State’s Wolfpack Club before local governments would contribute.

1992 – The General Assembly funded $2 million for site work. The Wolfpack Club raised $22 million. Wake County and the City of Raleigh committed $22 million from hotel, prepared food and beverage taxes.

1995 – The Legislature established Centennial Authority to study, design, plan, construct, own, promote, finance and operate a regional facility.   The Legislature appropriated $7 million for the project.  The Centennial Authority held first meeting in September.

October 1995 –  The Centennial Authority asked architects to redesign the building for multi-purpose uses including the addition of luxury suites.

1996 – With the redesign completed, requests for proposals for construction were issued.

May 1997 – Team owner Peter Karmanos announced the NHL’s Hartford Whalers would relocate to Raleigh as the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes became the first major professional sports franchise to locate in the Triangle, complimenting NFL and NBA teams located in Charlotte.

July 1997 – Construction began on arena.  Architects worked with the Carolina Hurricanes to determine changes needed for the NHL, such as media ring, locker rooms, dehumidifier and additional suites. Also, the Authority requested expansion of the south end of the building to make it more user-friendly.

November 1997 – Hurricanes and Authority agreed to lease and development terms based on redesign.

October 29, 1999 – Opening night of the Entertainment & Sports Arena (ESA) saw the Carolina Hurricanes take on the New Jersey Devils.

November 19, 1999 – Inaugural NC State men’s basketball game in the ESA sees the Wolfpack defeat the University of Georgia 67-63.

June 2002 – Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals were held at the ESA between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings – the first major professional sports championship series ever played in North Carolina.  Game 3 was a triple overtime thriller that ended just after 1:00 am and was at the time the third longest game ever in the Stanley Cup Finals.

September 2002 – The Entertainment & Sports Arena became the RBC Center following purchase of naming rights by RBC Centura Banks, Inc.

June 2004 – The NHL held its Entry Draft in front of a standing room only crowd in the then-RBC Center. The Hurricanes selected Andrew Ladd with the 4th pick. Future NHL All-Stars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were selected 1st and 2nd respectively.

June 2006 – The Carolina Hurricanes were Stanley Cup Champions, becoming the first professional sports franchise in North Carolina to win its respective league trophy.  Game seven sees fans standing throughout the contest and noise levels recorded were the loudest ever for an indoor sporting event.

October 2009 – The arena celebrated its 10th anniversary. The arena has hosted more than 1,500 events attracting some 15 million guests in its first decade of operation.

Summer 2011 – New Wolfpack and Hurricane-red seats were installed in the Concourse and Club levels along with a new basketball court – the first time since the arena’s opening that either had occurred.

March 2012 – Following acquisition of RBC Bank by PNC Financial Services, the facility was inaugurated as the PNC Arena.

Why the Centennial Authority?

Around the time momentum for an arena began to grow, North Carolina State University was approaching its 100th birthday. To commemorate the occasion and demonstrate support for a new home for NCSU basketball, the authority necessary to manage a public-private asset was designated as the Centennial Authority by the NC General Assembly.

Coach V: Arena Designer

The late Jim Valvano actually had a hand in designing some of the seating areas in the arena. His vision was to create seating so NCSU students could ring the basketball court and recreate the legendary atmosphere of Reynolds Coliseum. Coach Valvano’s design created student seating located slightly below the lower bowl/concourse seats along the sidelines and endzone seats that rise to various levels at each end.

Learn More
Our Headquarters

Centennial Authority
1400 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607

Phone
(919) 829-8132

Arena Box Office
(919) 861-2323

Arena Main Number
(919) 861-2300

Email
jmerritt@centauth.com

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