Construction On New Uptown Arena Begins After Groundblasting

Let the construction begin. While the games in Charlotte's new Uptown Arena will begin in October 2005, the building of the facility officially started on July 29th, 2003. Charlotte Bobcats and Sting owner Robert L. Johnson, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, Charlotte Sting co-captains Andrea Stinson and Dawn Staley and members of the Charlotte City Council officially commenced construction of the facility with a ceremonial groundblast on the site.

"This day commemorates so much for this great city - a new entertainment facility, a new NBA franchise, and most importantly a new economic engine for Uptown Charlotte and the entire region," Johnson said. "With construction on the arena now underway, I want to reaffirm our commitment to bring quality basketball and exciting entertainment events to Charlotte. We are dedicated to cooperating with all Charlotteans to make this unique destination the entertainment center of gravity for the city that will be shared and enjoyed by everyone."

The new Arena will open in the fall of 2005 and serve as the home of the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Sting. The Bobcats will play the 2005-06 NBA season in the new Arena following their inaugural season in 2004-05 at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Sting, who currently play at the Charlotte Coliseum, will begin play at the Arena in 2006. In addition to basketball, the new Arena will host concerts, family entertainment and other events. The arena will offer suites, club seats, sports bars, restaurants, a team store, fan interactive zones and many other state-of-the art features.

"In 28 months we'll be back in this same spot to celebrate the opening of this magnificent facility," McCrory said. "In 28 months, we'll be enjoying concerts, family show and high school graduations in this new arena. We'll also see the tip-off of the first Charlotte Bobcats game."

The groundblasting event was on the site of the new arena at North Brevard Street between East Trade and East Fifth Streets and featured live entertainment, complimentary food and souvenirs, autographs and a basketball clinic conducted by Sting players and coaches. Family show characters such as Bob the Builder, Elmo, Bert and Ernie, circus clowns, magicians, jugglers and a member of the Harlem Globetrotters were also there to entertain the crowd.