1983 - Local NC State supporters begin a
campaign to replace the venerable Reynolds Coliseum.
Raleigh Mayor Avery Upchurch commissions study group.
Study concludes new arena in downtown Raleigh is
impractical.
1988
- Legislature appropriates $1.5 million to be matched
by NC State to plan for basketball arena next to Carter-Finley
Stadium.1989
- NC State Trustees approve $66 million,
23,000 seat arena.
1991
- Legislature authorizes Wake County to levy room
occupancy tax and a prepared foods and beverage tax to
fund projects "including a coliseum to be built
in conjunction with North Carolina State University in
Raleigh..."
November
1991 - Wake County, City of Raleigh sign
Interlocal Agreement requiring funding from the state
and NC State University Wolfpack Club before local
governments will contribute.
1992
- Legislature funds $2 million for site work. Wolfpack
Club raises $22 million. Wake County, City of Raleigh
commit $22 million from hotel, prepared food and
beverage taxes.
1995
- Legislature establishes Centennial Authority to
study, design, plan, construct, own, promote, finance
and operate a regional multi-purpose facility. Legislature
appropriates $7 million for the project. Centennial
Authority holds first meeting in September.
October
1995 - Authority asks architects to redesign the
building for multi-purpose uses including 60 luxury
suites.
1996
- Redesign completed, requests for proposals for
construction issued.
May
1997 - Team owner Peter Karmanos announces
Hartford Whalers considering re-locating to the new
arena as the Carolina Hurricanes.
July
1997 - Construction begins on arena. Architects
working with Hurricanes to determine changes needed
for NHL, such as press ring, locker rooms,
dehumidifier and additional suites. Also,
Authority-requested expansion of the south end of the
building to make it more user friendly.
November
1997 - Hurricanes and Authority agree to lease and
development terms based on redesign. Hurricanes will
contribute $20 million for construction and cover
arena's operating losses. Estimated total cost for the
arena reaches $132 million.
March
1998 - Final contractor prices for redesigns are
higher than estimated. Extensive negotiations begin
with contractors and with Hurricanes and NC State.
September
1998 - Authority signs agreement with Hurricanes
to provide an additional $8 million for construction
of the arena and with NC State to provide an
additional $6 million. With the various redesigns and
accelerations to be open for the 1999 hockey and
basketball seasons, the total cost estimates for the
arena reach $158 million.
October
1999 - Opening night.
September 2002 – RBC Centura purchases
sponsorship rights ($80 million dollars over 20 years)
September 2002 – The Entertainment & Sports
Arena is renamed the RBC Center
Goto
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