American Bank Center

Infobox Stadium | stadium_name=American Bank Center
location=1901 North Shoreline
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
broke_ground=November 3, 2002 [ [http://americanbankcenter.com/about/ American Bank Center ] ]
opened=Fall 2004
owner=City of Corpus Christi
operator=SMG
construction_cost=$49,562,000 [ [http://americanbankcenter.com/about/ American Bank Center ] ]
architect=Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates
Arquitectonica
Gignac & Associates
general_contractor=Fulton Coast Construction
coordinates= 27°48'26.42"N, 97°23'36.82"W
tenants=Corpus Christi IceRays (CHL) (1997–present)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (NCAA) (1999–present)
Corpus Christi Sharks (AF2) (2006–present)
seating_capacity=Basketball/Arena Football/Hockey: 8,156
Concerts/Religious Gathering:10,000

The American Bank Center is a Convention Center and multi-purpose arena in Corpus Christi, Texas. The American Bank Center is a renovated and expanded version of the city's old Bayfront Convention Center. The renovation was completed in early 2005.

The facility serves host to many conventions, religious gatherings, graduations, concerts, performances and sporting events including WWE's "SmackDown!". The arena is home to the Corpus Christi IceRays ice hockey team and the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders men's and women's basketball teams. In 2007, American Bank Center also became the home of the Corpus Christi Sharks af2 team.

Musical acts appearing at the American Bank Center includes Cher, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Maná, MercyMe, ZZ Top, Cirque du Soleil-Delirium and Tool.

Franklin Graham held a crusade at the arena in August 2005 bringing overflowing crowds.

In addition to the convention facilities and arena, the American Bank Center also features the 2,526 seat Selena Auditorium, named after the slain Tejano star Selena Quintanilla Pérez. The Selena Auditorium is a performing arts hall. It too is often used as a general session venue as well as a location for concerts, conventions, religious gatherings, graduations, musicals, ballets, symphonic performances, operas and other forms of entertainment.

The American Bank Center arena seats 8,156 for basketball, arena football or hockey and seats 10,000 people for concerts and religious gatherings. The American Bank Center is located in Corpus Christi's Bayfront Arts and Science Park.

"WWE RAW" was scheduled to be at the arena on June 25, 2007 but was postponed due to the death of Chris Benoit. The show was eventually held on July 17. WWE will return for the weekly live edition of "ECW" and the taping of the February 7 edition of "WWE Friday Night SmackDown" on February 5 2008.

References