Ocean Center
Encyclopedia
The Ocean Center is a multi-purpose facility, in Daytona Beach, Florida
, USA
. It was built in 1985 and expanded in 2009, doubling the facility's size. The $76 million construction project has elevated the facility to one of the largest in Florida and into the second tier of convention facilities throughout the world.
Thanks to a $3 million grant from the voter-approved ECHO program, the county’s Ocean Center has a grand entrance that will enhance tourism throughout Volusia. The exceptional category grant from the ECHO grants-in-aid program was used to create a Cultural Information Center (CIC). The funds were used for site preparation and construction of the CIC, an enhancement of 51635 square feet (4,797 m²) of lobby space with gathering areas, restrooms and concession facilities. It displays works from the “Arts in Public Places” program and has dedicated areas for permanent and visiting art works and cultural displays from all areas of Volusia County. The grand entrance also includes a new façade and entrance along N. Atlantic Avenue. Other features of the new entrance lobby and CIC is a marquee mural on the west wall above the ballrooms doors, seen from inside and outside the facility. The mural will change with the center’s exhibits. The center and its displays are in the highest pedestrian traffic area for the venue.
The main arena seats 6,176 for ice hockey
and arena football, 8,362 for basketball
, 7,184 for the circus
, 7,380 for ice shows, 8,582 for wrestling
and 9,440 for concerts. The Ocean Center is also used for banquets, trade shows, high school graduations, conventions and other events.
performed the first concert at the Ocean Center on Oct. 3, 1985, singing to 2,938 people. John Denver
was the grand opening act two days later, performing to a crowd of 7,368.
, Lipizzaner Stallions & Larry the Cable Guy
, among others. Other entertainment events have included the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Miss Teen USA Pageant and WWE Live. The fun, furry characters of Sesame Street have been frequent performers at the Ocean Center. The family production had multiple shows in 1985-'86, and returned in the 1990s and 2000s. In October 1997, the Ocean Center hosted the Nice n' Easy U.S. Figure Skating Classic. Skaters included the Tara Lipinski, Michelle Kwan, Dorothy Hamill, Nicole Bobek, Rosalynn Summers, Kyoko Ina, Jason Dungjen, Todd Eldredge, Rudy Galindo, Michael Weiss, Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow. The event was broadcast later on ABC. The Ocean Center also hosts The Passion Conferences
starring Worship singer Chris Tomlin
men's basketball tournament. It is also home to a few of Bethune-Cookman University basketball games.
of the defunct Sunshine Hockey League
played hockey games at the Ocean Center from 1992-1995. In 1995, the team and league changed names to the Daytona Beach Breakers, playing in the Southern Hockey League
. After the 1995-96 season both the team and the league folded.
Bash at the Beach
in 1996, 1997 and 2000. 1996 was the scene of one of the biggest moments in pro wrestling history with the infamous heel turn (bad guy) of Hulk Hogan
when he formed the nWo
faction. Other notable WCW related events that have occurred here include Booker T winning his first World Championship, the debut of Thursday Night Thunder, the controversial Vince Russo-Hulk Hogan "shoot" confrontation, the much hyped team-up of NBA star Dennis Rodman with Hogan and the notorious botched debut of the Shockmaster. For the first time since the fall of 2006, WWE held an event at the Ocean Center on July 31, 2010. The location also held Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
biggest pay-per-view of the year, Bound For Glory
on October 10, 2010 where Hulk Hogan turned heel along with Jeff Hardy
as Hardy won the world championship.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was built in 1985 and expanded in 2009, doubling the facility's size. The $76 million construction project has elevated the facility to one of the largest in Florida and into the second tier of convention facilities throughout the world.
About
The Ocean Center features 205000 square feet (19,045.1 m²) of prime meeting space; 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) of exhibit space at the main arena, 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) of space in the Ballroom and 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) of meeting rooms. The new addition of the Exhibit Hall features 94695 square feet (8,797.5 m²), ceiling heights: 22 to 45 feet (13.7 m), a drive-in door: 20' x 16', and 6 loading docks with self-adjusting levelers. 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) of parking lot/outdoor exhibit space was also added near the Exhibit Hall.Thanks to a $3 million grant from the voter-approved ECHO program, the county’s Ocean Center has a grand entrance that will enhance tourism throughout Volusia. The exceptional category grant from the ECHO grants-in-aid program was used to create a Cultural Information Center (CIC). The funds were used for site preparation and construction of the CIC, an enhancement of 51635 square feet (4,797 m²) of lobby space with gathering areas, restrooms and concession facilities. It displays works from the “Arts in Public Places” program and has dedicated areas for permanent and visiting art works and cultural displays from all areas of Volusia County. The grand entrance also includes a new façade and entrance along N. Atlantic Avenue. Other features of the new entrance lobby and CIC is a marquee mural on the west wall above the ballrooms doors, seen from inside and outside the facility. The mural will change with the center’s exhibits. The center and its displays are in the highest pedestrian traffic area for the venue.
The main arena seats 6,176 for ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
and arena football, 8,362 for basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, 7,184 for the circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
, 7,380 for ice shows, 8,582 for wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and 9,440 for concerts. The Ocean Center is also used for banquets, trade shows, high school graduations, conventions and other events.
History
In 1985, the Ocean Center opened with 60000 square feet (5,574.2 m²) of exhibit space and 18 breakout rooms. Christian pop singer Amy GrantAmy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
performed the first concert at the Ocean Center on Oct. 3, 1985, singing to 2,938 people. John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
was the grand opening act two days later, performing to a crowd of 7,368.
Notable events
The Ocean Center has presented many of the world's most famous entertainers, including The Harlem GlobetrottersHarlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
, Lipizzaner Stallions & Larry the Cable Guy
Larry the Cable Guy
Daniel Lawrence Whitney , better known by his stage name and character Larry the Cable Guy, is an American comedian, actor, and former radio personality....
, among others. Other entertainment events have included the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Miss Teen USA Pageant and WWE Live. The fun, furry characters of Sesame Street have been frequent performers at the Ocean Center. The family production had multiple shows in 1985-'86, and returned in the 1990s and 2000s. In October 1997, the Ocean Center hosted the Nice n' Easy U.S. Figure Skating Classic. Skaters included the Tara Lipinski, Michelle Kwan, Dorothy Hamill, Nicole Bobek, Rosalynn Summers, Kyoko Ina, Jason Dungjen, Todd Eldredge, Rudy Galindo, Michael Weiss, Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow. The event was broadcast later on ABC. The Ocean Center also hosts The Passion Conferences
Passion Conferences
Passion Conferences is a Christian organization , founded by Louie Giglio and Jeff Lewis in 1997, known for their annual spiritual awakening gatherings of young adults, more specifically college students...
starring Worship singer Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin
Christopher Dwayne "Chris" Tomlin is an American Christian Contemporary Music artist, worship leader, and songwriter from Grand Saline, Texas, United States. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church and is signed to EMI's sixstepsrecords. Tomlin also leads worship at many...
Basketball
The Ocean Center hosted the 1988 Atlantic Sun ConferenceAtlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference...
men's basketball tournament. It is also home to a few of Bethune-Cookman University basketball games.
Ice hockey
The Daytona Beach Sun DevilsDaytona Beach Sun Devils
The Daytona Beach Sun Devils were a franchise in the defunct Sunshine Hockey League The Sun Devils began play in the league's first season in 1992-93 and remained with the SuHL until 1995 when the league changed its name to Southern Hockey League. After the 1995-96 season both the team and the...
of the defunct Sunshine Hockey League
Sunshine Hockey League
The Sunshine Hockey League was a low-minors professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 to 1995. The league was based in Florida and consisted of five teams in its inaugural 1992-93 season....
played hockey games at the Ocean Center from 1992-1995. In 1995, the team and league changed names to the Daytona Beach Breakers, playing in the Southern Hockey League
Southern Hockey League (1995-1996)
The Southern Hockey League is a defunct low-level professional ice hockey league.It operated in the United States from 1995 to 1996, with teams in the southeastern United States. It was originally named the Sunshine Hockey League, but changed its name after expanding outside of Florida. The league...
. After the 1995-96 season both the team and the league folded.
Pro wrestling
The Ocean Center hosted the WCWWorld Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
Bash at the Beach
Bash at the Beach
Bash at the Beach was a yearly professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling . It was the company's PPV for the month of July, held from 1994 to 2000. The show centered around a beach theme, with the set around the entrance area for the wrestlers decorated with...
in 1996, 1997 and 2000. 1996 was the scene of one of the biggest moments in pro wrestling history with the infamous heel turn (bad guy) of Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
when he formed the nWo
New World Order (professional wrestling)
The New World Order was a professional wrestling stable that originally wrestled for World Championship Wrestling . The group later appeared in the World Wrestling Federation after the purchase of WCW by the WWF...
faction. Other notable WCW related events that have occurred here include Booker T winning his first World Championship, the debut of Thursday Night Thunder, the controversial Vince Russo-Hulk Hogan "shoot" confrontation, the much hyped team-up of NBA star Dennis Rodman with Hogan and the notorious botched debut of the Shockmaster. For the first time since the fall of 2006, WWE held an event at the Ocean Center on July 31, 2010. The location also held Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
biggest pay-per-view of the year, Bound For Glory
TNA Bound For Glory
Bound for Glory is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced every October by the American Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. The event was created in 2005 to be their premier event of the year, similar to the company's main rival World Wrestling Entertainment and its...
on October 10, 2010 where Hulk Hogan turned heel along with Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy
Jeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is a former two–time TNA World Heavyweight Champion...
as Hardy won the world championship.
Other events
- Daytona Beach Garden Show http://www.daytonabeachgardenshow.com/ - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Council of Garden Clubs of the Halifax District and the Daytona Beach News-JournalDaytona Beach News-JournalThe Daytona Beach News-Journal is a Florida daily newspaper serving Volusia and Flagler counties.It grew from the Halifax Journal which was started in 1883. The Davidson family purchased the newspaper in 1928 and retained control until bankruptcy in 2009. In 1986, The Morning Journal and Evening...
; usually scheduled in March. - Daytona Beach Home Show http://www.daytonahomeshow.com/ - Annual event, co-sponsored by the Pilot Club of Daytona Beach and the Daytona Beach News-JournalDaytona Beach News-JournalThe Daytona Beach News-Journal is a Florida daily newspaper serving Volusia and Flagler counties.It grew from the Halifax Journal which was started in 1883. The Davidson family purchased the newspaper in 1928 and retained control until bankruptcy in 2009. In 1986, The Morning Journal and Evening...
; usually scheduled in October. - Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show - Annual event, usually held near the first week of March, corresponding with the dates of Daytona Beach Bike WeekDaytona Beach Bike WeekDaytona Beach Bike Week, also called Daytona Bike Week, is a motorcycle event and rally held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. Approximately 500,000 people make their way to the rally area for the 10-day event. The festivities include motorcycle racing, concerts, parties, and street festivals...
. - Spring Break Nationals -Annual event, held during spring break. It is a world renown car audio show.
- National Reptile Breeders Expo - An annual event that is held every 3rd week of August for 3 days. This event allows consumers to buy reptiles in the convention center. Consumers may also look at these reptiles if they want and if they like the reptile, they can buy it from the seller for a certain price.