Anderson High School Wigwam

Anderson High School Wigwam
Anderson High School Wigwam
Location Anderson, Indiana, U.S.
Coordinates 40°6′11″N 85°41′9″W / 40.10306°N 85.68583°W / 40.10306; -85.68583
Type Gymnasium
Genre(s) Sporting events
Seating type Bleachers
Capacity 8,996
Opened November 1961
Closed March 2011

Anderson High School Wigwam is an indoor arena in Anderson, Indiana. The current version hosted home games for the Anderson High School Indians and was home to the Indiana Alley Cats of the Continental Basketball Association and the Anderson Champions of the American Basketball Association. The complex is being redeveloped into multi-family housing and other uses while preserving the gymnasium.

History

The original arena hosted the NBA's Anderson Packers from 1949 to 1950. It burned down in 1958. The replacement arena opened up in November 1961 and has a capacity of 8,996. It was the second largest high school basketball arena, after New Castle Fieldhouse in New Castle, Indiana.[1] Before the construction of Market Square Arena, the Indiana Pacers played several games at the Wigwam.[2]

On March 18, 2008, U.S. Secret Service agents met with members of Anderson Police Department for a tour at the Wigwam, where Hillary Clinton was due to speak. Her speech at The Wigwam occurred on March 20, 2008, and lasted about an hour. The school district netted $335 from the rental for this event.[1]

Facing a budget crisis, On March 8, 2011, the Anderson School Board voted 6-1 to close the Wigwam to save an estimated $700,000 annually.[3] As of February 2013 the building was still standing and unused.[4] In August 2014, the school board accepted a plan that will allow for redevelopment of the site while maintaining the gymnasium through at least 2030. When renovations are complete, the school district will have rent-free access to the arena for at least 12 event days per year, plus practices.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Newkirk, Barrett (February 8, 2009). "Anderson's Wigwam: Are its days numbered?". Indiana Economic Digest. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ Bailey, Jim (March 19, 2011). "Lame-duck Wigwam's 50-year ride has been eventful". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ Ryckaert, Vic (March 8, 2011). "Anderson School Board votes to close Wigwam in budget cutting plan". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ Cook, Bob (February 21, 2013). "Anderson, Indiana's Once-Mighty Wigwam Gym: Still Dead". Forbes. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ Hirsch, Stuart (August 28, 2014). "Wigwam saved from wrecking ball". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved October 25, 2015.

External links

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