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| Dunkin' Donuts Center (Providence) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dunkin' Donuts Center |
| Fullname | Dunkin' Donuts Center |
| Former names | Providence Civic Center; Alex and Ani City Center |
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Broke ground | 1972 |
| Opened | 1972 |
| Owner | City of Providence |
| Operator | ASM Global |
| Capacity | 12,000 (hockey/arena) |
| Tenants | Providence Friars, Providence Bruins, New England Patriots (preseason events), touring concerts |
Dunkin' Donuts Center (Providence) is an indoor arena and convention venue located in Providence, Rhode Island. Opened in the early 1970s, the venue has hosted collegiate athletics, professional hockey, concerts, and political events associated with figures such as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. The arena is closely tied to local institutions including Providence College, Brown University, and the City of Providence while serving touring productions from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Taylor Swift.
The arena was conceived during the administration of Buddy Cianci and developed amid urban renewal projects involving the Providence Redevelopment Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, and state officials such as governors Lincoln Almond and Jodi Rell. Groundbreaking occurred shortly after approvals from the Rhode Island General Assembly and planning commissions influenced by consultants from firms associated with I. M. Pei-era urban initiatives. The Civic Center opened in 1972 and immediately became a focal point for events featuring Muhammad Ali exhibitions, Elvis Presley tribute shows, and political rallies connected to the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee. Over decades the venue hosted:Providence College postseason tournaments, Atlantic 10 Conference championships, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament games, and preseason matches for National Hockey League affiliates.
The arena's design reflects late-modernist municipal architecture influenced by projects from architects who worked with firms that contributed to arenas such as Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden. The bowl features a seating bowl adaptable for ice hockey, basketball, and concert staging, with capacities comparable to venues like Amalie Arena and Wells Fargo Center. Backstage areas accommodate touring productions by companies such as Live Nation and AEG Presents, and the facility contains exhibition space used by organizations including the Rhode Island Convention Center for trade shows and conventions tied to groups like the American Bar Association. Mechanical and rigging systems were upgraded to meet standards set by unions such as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
Primary sports tenants have included the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and the Providence Friars of the Big East Conference (and previously the Hockey East-adjacent fanbase). The center has hosted concerts by U2, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Beyoncé, as well as family shows like Disney on Ice and touring productions of The Phantom of the Opera. Political conventions and campaign stops featured appearances by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Hillary Clinton; the venue has also been used for commencement ceremonies for institutions such as Johnson & Wales University and Rhode Island School of Design. Annual events have included high school graduations sanctioned by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and charity galas organized by groups like Rhode Island Blood Center.
Major renovations occurred in phases overseen by municipal authorities in collaboration with private partners such as Alex and Ani and national branding firms representing corporations like Dunkin' Donuts and Bank of America. Naming-rights agreements have mirrored deals seen at venues such as Carrier Dome and Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), with contract negotiations involving the Providence City Council and entities including ASM Global for operations. Renovation efforts addressed seating reconfiguration, ADA compliance per Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, upgraded concessions with franchises like Aramark, and technology improvements to LED scoreboards supplied by firms akin to Daktronics.
The arena is accessible via the Interstate 95 corridor and is served by public transit routes operated by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). Nearby rail connections include Providence Station (served by Amtrak), and regional bus services link the venue to communities throughout the Pawtucket–Woonsocket metropolitan area. Parking coordination involves the Providence Parking Authority and shuttle partnerships with institutions such as Brown University and Providence College during major events. Pedestrian access connects the arena to the Providence Riverwalk and the Harborplace redevelopment areas of downtown.
Notable sporting moments include memorable Providence Friars victories during Bob Hurley-era high school showcases and AHL playoff runs by the Providence Bruins with NHL affiliates like the Boston Bruins. The arena recorded sellout crowds for The Rolling Stones and U2 performances, and ticketing milestones through promoters like Ticketmaster. Historic public addresses and campaign events by John F. Kennedy and later presidents created lasting civic memories akin to appearances at venues such as Madison Square Garden and MSG Sphere. The center has been the site of charitable record attempts organized by nonprofits such as the American Heart Association and hosted cultural premieres linked to the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Category:Indoor arenas in Rhode Island Category:Sports venues in Providence, Rhode Island