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| Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| Nickname | LJVM Coliseum |
| Location | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Owner | Forsyth County |
| Capacity | 14,407 (basketball) |
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving as a venue for sports, concerts, conventions, and civic ceremonies. The arena is closely associated with regional institutions such as Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, Forsyth County, City of Winston-Salem, and honors Lawrence Joel, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II and Vietnam War lineage. The facility anchors a sports and entertainment district that links to regional transportation and cultural hubs including Piedmont Triad International Airport, Kernersville, Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Triad Stage, and BB&T Field.
The coliseum opened amid a late-1980s wave of civic venue construction initiated by county officials, local leaders, and private developers influenced by projects such as Spectrum Center (Charlotte), Rupp Arena, and Madison Square Garden. Its dedication ceremonies involved veterans' groups, officials from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and delegations from North Carolina General Assembly and Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Over time, municipal partners including City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County negotiated naming, operations, and event scheduling in coordination with promoters from Live Nation, AEG Presents, and regional sports franchises modeled after Charlotte Hornets and Greensboro Swarm. The venue's management has coordinated with university athletic departments like Wake Forest Demon Deacons and touring production companies associated with Cirque du Soleil, Disney on Ice, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Designed by architectural firms influenced by arenas such as Madison Square Garden, United Center, and Cleveland Arena (old), the Coliseum features a bowl configuration, luxury box suites similar to those in PNC Arena, and a reinforced concrete structure referencing regional examples like Greensboro Coliseum. Engineering consultants included firms that worked on venues such as Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Staples Center. The complex includes locker rooms used by Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball, broadcast facilities employed by networks like ESPN, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports South, and loading docks sized for touring productions from entities including MetLife Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium tours. Concessions and premium areas collaborate with brands and vendors that have partnerships with Aramark, Compass Group, and regional caterers allied with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Winston-Salem State University hospitality programs.
The Coliseum has hosted collegiate basketball associated with conferences like the Atlantic Coast Conference and tournaments akin to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and ACC Tournament scheduling rotations. It has been a site for concerts by artists who have toured with promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents—comparable performers include those who have played Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. The venue accommodates family shows from producers like Disney on Ice and Cirque du Soleil and athletic events ranging from boxing cards similar to bouts held at Mandalay Bay Events Center to wrestling events promoted by WWE and AEW. Local and regional tenants include the Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball programs, community college commencements coordinated with Forsyth Technical Community College, and high school championships under the umbrella of organizations like the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Periodic upgrades have paralleled modernization campaigns at arenas such as Spectrum Center and PNC Arena. Technology improvements included scoreboard and video ribbon installations comparable to systems by Daktronics used in venues like Bridgestone Arena and enhancements to audio systems mirroring upgrades undertaken at Madison Square Garden. Accessibility and patron experience projects referenced standards from Americans with Disabilities Act compliance initiatives and best practices observed at venues like Barclays Center. Capital improvements were funded through municipal bonds, county allocations, and partnership agreements influenced by financing models used for Bank of America Stadium and Charlotte Motor Speedway redevelopment.
Notable athletic performances at the Coliseum include high-scoring games by Wake Forest Demon Deacons athletes who have connections to NBA alumni and international competitions such as FIBA events. The arena has hosted concerts that matched attendance records similar to those set at regional venues like Greensboro Coliseum and special events with dignitaries from North Carolina Governor's office, members of the United States Congress, and delegations from military organizations including the United States Army and American Legion. Charity events and benefit concerts have aligned it with philanthropic efforts associated with institutions like United Way's regional chapters and medical fundraising campaigns for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The Coliseum's role in regional culture has been highlighted in media coverage by outlets such as Winston-Salem Journal, Triad Business Journal, WFMY-TV, and WXII-TV.
Category:Sports venues in North Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in Winston-Salem, North Carolina