Appalachian Wireless Arena
The Appalachian Wireless Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Pikeville, Kentucky. Opened in October 2005, it hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. The facility, which can seat 7,000 for concerts and 5,700 for sporting events, is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and managed by the City of Pikeville.
| Former names | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center (2005-2019) |
|---|---|
| Location | 126 Main Street Pikeville, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37°28′54″N 82°30′54″W |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| Operator | City of Pikeville |
| Capacity | 7,000 (concerts) 5,700 (sporting events) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 2005[1] |
| Construction cost | $29 million ($43.5 million in 2022 dollars[2])[1] |
| Website | |
| https://www.appalachianwirelessarena.com | |
History
From 2005 to 2019, the facility was named the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, however in June 2019 naming rights were sold to Appalachian Wireless, as part of a 5-year, $85,000/year contract.[3][4]
On October 22, 2022, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball played the annual Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage, normally held at Rupp Arena at Appalachian Wireless Arena to raise money for relief due to the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. The event raised over $160,000. [5]
About
- 7,000-seat arena[6]
- 26,000 sq. feet facility— 24,000 sq. foot arena floor
- 5,000 sq. feet of meeting room/ballroom space with sub divisible wall
- Boardroom space for smaller meetings
- 3 Levels: event level, main concourse, upper level
- 5 concession stands around the main concourse level
- Full Service Food & Beverage Department by Elite Catering
Tenants
| Club | Sport | Years Active | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Drillers | Arena Football | 2011-2013 | CIFL, UIFL |
| UPike Bears | Basketball | 2005–present | NAIA |
| East Kentucky Drillers | Arena Football | 2011-2012 | UIFL |
| East Kentucky Energy | Basketball | 2010-2012 | ABA |
| East Kentucky Miners | Basketball | 2007-2009 | CBA |
References
- Description of the Venue
- 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- Anderson, Chris. "Expo officially becomes Appalachian Wireless Arena". Appalachian News-Express. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
- "New Name Going Up at Kentucky Arena". VenuesNow. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
- Letcher, Tim. "White Tops Blue; Cats Raise over $160,000 for Eastern Kentucky". Kentucky Wildcats. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- About Us Archived 2014-06-15 at the Wayback Machine Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. Retrieved 2014-07-08.