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54-459: As far back as 1958, plans had been put forward to build a convention center. A 1970 planning document had included a civic and convention center, but when the Civic Center was built in 1973, convention and exhibition space was not included for cost reasons. The idea was revived in the late 1980s, and a Convention Center Authority was established in 1987 to look into the feasibility of building

108-634: A Raw show held at the arena. In November 2015, the Rhode Island Comic Con expanded into the arena from the adjacent Rhode Island Convention Center , where it had been held since it began in 2012. It has been held in both buildings ever since. The arena was used by Hasbro (whose headquarters are in Downtown Providence ) to host its first-ever HasCon in September 2017. Alumni Hall (Providence) Alumni Hall

162-576: A building or structure in Providence, Rhode Island is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Dunkin%27 Donuts Center The Amica Mutual Pavilion (originally Providence Civic Center and formerly Dunkin' Donuts Center ( "The Dunk" )) is an indoor arena located in downtown Providence , Rhode Island . It was built in 1972, as a home court for the Providence College Friars men's basketball program, due to

216-452: A convention center along with hotel and parking garage. In 1991, Governor Bruce Sundlun put his full support into the project, making it the centerpiece of a large state-funded construction project to revitalize Providence's downtown. His plan also included relocating the railroad, and building Waterplace Park and walkways along the city's rivers. Sundlun argued that a convention center would attract tourists and become an economic engine for

270-655: A financial problem. The Rhode Island Convention Center and adjacent Omni Providence Hotel (then named the "Westin") were completed next door to the Civic Center in 1993 in an attempt to lure visitors to the city. In 2001, as a means of increasing financing, the arena was named the Dunkin' Donuts Center as part of a naming-rights deal with Dunkin' Donuts . In December 2005, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority purchased

324-524: A new HVAC system, ice chiller, and a first-of-its-kind fire suppression system. These renovations were completed in October 2008. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 resulted in the cancellation of most of its normal sports and concert programming. Instead, the arena was rented by the state for emergency measures, including assembly of COVID tests, a COVID testing walk-in clinic, and classes to teach local businesses how to conduct tests. In February 2021,

378-497: Is an unusually high revenue for a convention center. However, as of 2018 the state still pays $ 15 million per year to pay off the initial construction bonds. The Center is operated by the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which also operates the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 resulted in the cancellation of most of the shows and concerts normally hosted by

432-472: Is the on-campus basketball gymnasium at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island , United States. It was built in 1955 and was the home court for the school's men's basketball program until 1972. The gymnasium has hosted the Providence College women's basketball team since its inception in 1974. Alumni Hall was built in 1955 to suit the needs of the men's basketball program, under

486-432: The 1978 and 1985 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament East Region finals; the inaugural 1985 Hockey East Tournament, as well as the second tournament a year later in 1986 before the tourney made Boston a permanent home; and the 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1995 and 2000 NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey championships. The University of Rhode Island (URI) men's basketball team also played some home basketball games at

540-540: The COVID-19 pandemic . It would mark the first time the Friars would play all home games at Alumni Hall since 1972. The gymnasium underwent renovations in 2012, removing the bleacher seating in favor of theater seating throughout the lower level, reducing the capacity for basketball to 1,854. Video boards were also installed, while the gymnasium became air-conditioned for the first time in its history. The upper levels of

594-758: The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL), have been held at the arena. During a live performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on May 4, 2014, eight female performers were sent to the hospital after a high wire snapped while they were attempting a routine where they hang by their hair high above the floor. The performers fell from between 25 and 40 feet (7.6 and 12.2 m) to

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648-625: The 1,854-seat Alumni Hall . The arena has been the site of many collegiate tournaments, including the inaugural 1980 Big East Conference men's basketball tournament; the Division I men's basketball ECAC New England Region tournament , organized by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), in 1978 and 1979 ; NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament first- and second-round games in 1976 , 1979 , 1980 , 1981 , 1989 , 1996 , 2010 , and 2016 ;

702-512: The 1961 and 1963 NIT championships under coach Joe Mullaney . In 1972, the men's team moved to the new Providence Civic Center downtown, which later became the Dunkin' Donuts Center. In 2001, the gymnasium was named the Mullaney Gymnasium in honor of Mullaney. In 1974, the women's basketball team began playing there, where they currently reside. The gymnasium has hosted several Women's NIT games throughout its tenure, as well as

756-514: The 1983 (inaugural) and 1993 Big East women's basketball tournaments . On October 31, 2009, the men's basketball team played an exhibition game against Merrimack , its first game in Alumni Hall since January 22, 1978, an exhibition game against the Soviet national basketball team . Until 2012, the arena sat 2,620 fans. Bleacher seating was available on the main level, with theater seating in

810-796: The 2025 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The Providence Reds (known in their final season in Providence as the Rhode Island Reds) hockey team of the American Hockey League (AHL) played at the Providence Civic Center from 1972 to 1977. The New England Tea Men of the North American Soccer League (NASL) played their indoor soccer matches there from 1979 to 1980 before moving south to Jacksonville, Florida , at

864-474: The Amica Mutual Pavilion for the first time since its revival in fall of 2023 on April 26, 2024. Sugar Ray Leonard fought Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the Providence Civic Center on September 9, 1978. Leonard won the bout by TKO in the tenth round. This being the only major boxing card held in Providence. The arena has long been a regular stop on WWE tours. It was the site of WWF King of

918-479: The Civic Center, on June 25, 1975. The arena played host to The Rolling Thunder Revue Tour on November 4, 1975, headed by Bob Dylan . The Who played there on December 13, 1975. Elvis Presley performed there three times – once each in 1974, 1976, and 1977. Frank Sinatra performed 10 times at the then-Providence Civic Center. His first was to a sold-out crowd including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for his Variety Club International Tour on April 15, 1974, and

972-582: The Moon and again in 1987 for two sold-out shows on their A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour , their first tour without Roger Waters (who also performed in Providence in 1987 on his Radio KAOS Tour and again on the last night of his 2000 US In the Flesh Tour in July 2000). Former Beatle George Harrison held a concert there on December 11, 1974, during his " Dark Horse Tour " (so called because it occurred near

1026-634: The Providence Civic Center beginning in 1973, although this practice stopped with the opening of the Ryan Center in 2002. The arena had been scheduled to host the first and second-round games of the 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament until the tournament was moved to venues within the Indianapolis, Indiana , metro area due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States . The arena will now host first and second-round games of

1080-561: The Rhode Island Convention Center Authority, which also operates the Rhode Island Convention Center and Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The idea for a Civic Center in Providence had been proposed as early as 1958, on the site of what later became the Providence Place Mall . The project was proposed as a joint federal-state-city project, which would create jobs and bring economic benefits. However,

1134-619: The Ring tournaments four times: from 1987 to 1991, before the event became a pay-per-view , and once after in 1997. In 1994, it hosted the Royal Rumble . It has hosted the Backlash pay-per-view three times: the first edition of the event on April 25, 1999; the 2009 edition on April 26, 2009 (the last to be held until 2016); and the 2022 edition on May 8, 2022, the second and last to be billed as "WrestleMania Backlash". In December 2005

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1188-554: The Road at the Civic Center on September 23, 1979. In 1979, Providence mayor Buddy Cianci cancelled a concert at the Civic Center by the rock band The Who after hearing about a Who concert in Cincinnati earlier that month where 11 fans had been trampled to death. 33 years later, the band returned to Providence and announced they would honor any tickets from the 1979 show. Ten fans, then middle-aged, traded in 14 tickets to see

1242-512: The arena as the Dunkin' Donuts Center through the summer, until a new sponsorship agreement was announced. Most of the major signage, including the main sign facing Sabin Street, was removed on August 24, 2022. Dunkin' officially stated that the company would not be renewing its agreement with the convention center authority on the same day. On September 6, 2022, it was announced that Lincoln, Rhode Island , based Amica Mutual Insurance purchased

1296-679: The arena hosted WWE Armageddon . In addition to major events, the arena also hosted WWE's weekly shows frequently. January 13, 2014, edition of WWE Raw was held at the arena. WWE Smackdown held two shows at the arena in 2015, on April 21 and August 25. The SmackDown portion of the 2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up was held at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, while the Raw portion was held at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut . On October 22, 2018, Roman Reigns revealed his leukemia diagnosis during

1350-485: The band's performances on April 4 and 5, 1998, which were part of their 1998 "Island Tour". James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt performed at the venue in March 2019. The Providence Friars men's basketball team has been the only major tenant of the arena since its inception, having played almost all of its home basketball games at the arena since 1972 with the exception of the 2020-21 season where their home games were at

1404-530: The building from the city of Providence and spent $ 80 million on an extensive renovation. Major elements of the construction included a significantly expanded lobby and concourse, an enclosed pedestrian bridge from the Rhode Island Convention Center, a new center-hung LED video display board, a new restaurant, 20 luxury suites, four new bathrooms, and all-new seats with cupholders in the arena bowl. Behind-the-scenes improvements included

1458-755: The building now house the athletic department's offices. These spaces, along with the locker rooms and playing surface of the gymnasium were renovated in the mid-2000s, including an expansion to house a new training room, the Canavan Sports Medicine Center, on the Cumberland Street side of the building. In 2007, the Concannon Fitness Center opened on the other side of Alumni Hall, along with a glass lobby (the Ruane Atrium) which serves as common entrance for

1512-422: The convention center, including the Rhode Island Comic Con (a major draw). The state of Rhode Island paid to rent the facility for emergency measures; the main exhibition space was utilized for a COVID field hospital, and the garages became the home for a testing laboratory and drive-through testing site. This role enabled the center to remain profitable despite the decline in normal programming. On June 30, 2022,

1566-539: The direction of then-college president Rev. Robert J. Slavin, O.P. The team had previously played either off-campus or in a small gymnasium in the basement of Bishop Harkins Hall (a space which would later become the Blackfriars Theatre). It was dedicated to those alumni who had fought in World War II. For its first seventeen years, it was the home of the burgeoning men's basketball program, which won

1620-889: The facility's current name. The Convention Center hosts nearly 250 events each year. Examples include the Rhode Island Comic Con , dance competitions, and trade shows such as the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association Expo, the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation, the Providence Boat Show, the Baby Show, and the Business Expo. 41°49′28.4″N 71°24′57.6″W  /  41.824556°N 71.416000°W  / 41.824556; -71.416000 This article related to

1674-577: The first night's performance to observe. The Jacksons performed at the Civic Center on July 15, 1973, April 10, 1976, August 13, 1981 The Civic Center also received publicity in 1983 for a planned Kiss concert which never occurred. Rhode Island promoter Frank J. Russo scheduled the band on their Creatures of the Night Tour/10th Anniversary Tour for shows at both the Worcester Centrum on January 22, 1983, and

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1728-640: The fitness center, the Slavin Center, Alumni Hall, and the adjacent Peterson Recreation Center. There is a cafeteria in the bottom level which is connected to the Slavin Center student union building. The cafeteria was expanded in 1997, including an area formerly used as a mini-mall. For many years the Alumni Hall cafeteria was known as the "day hops" cafeteria. At one time half of the student body commuted to campus every day and most ate their lunch and spent between class time in this cafeteria (commuter students were popularly known as "day hops"). A cafeteria for

1782-463: The following night at the Civic Center, but canceled the Civic Center show when it sold only 2,000 tickets. Russo publicly offered to trade tickets to the Centrum show for Civic Center show tickets in lieu of refunds, with a free ride to and from Worcester. Hundreds of fans participated and were picked up by several chartered buses on Sabin Street in front of the Civic Center. A week later the situation

1836-477: The ground, but none suffered life-threatening injuries. On May 1, 2016, Ringling Bros. ended 145 years of tradition when they staged their last performance with live elephants as part of its "Blue" tour at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Eleven elephants headed to Florida for retirement after the show. A year after that, the final show for the Red Unit of Ringling Bros. was on May 7, 2017. Ringling Bros. will return to

1890-675: The high demand for tickets to their games in Alumni Hall , as well as for a home arena for the then– Providence Reds , who played in the nearly 50-year-old Rhode Island Auditorium . Current tenants include the Providence Bruins ice hockey team, of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Providence College Friars men's basketball team, of the Big East Conference . The center is operated by

1944-473: The ice underneath the court, used for Providence Bruins games, melting. With Alumni Hall only seating 2,620 fans, and the Dunkin' Donuts Center seating 11,000+, only students and staff were allowed to attend the game. In 2020, the Providence Friars announced they would play all home games at Alumni Hall with zero spectators. This was due to the Dunkin' Donuts Center becoming a testing site during

1998-644: The last on October 3, 1992. During many of Sinatra's performances, Rhode Island State Police would attend, searching for organized crime members in the audience. During a 1979 appearance in Providence, Mayor Buddy Cianci named Sinatra an honorary fire chief, complete with a helmet bearing the name "F. SINATRA" with nickname "Ol' Blue Eyes" beneath. David Bowie 's concert on May 5, 1978, was one of three recorded for his live album Stage . The Bee Gees performed two sold-out concerts there on August 28–29, 1979, as part of their Spirits Having Flown Tour . The Kinks recorded much of their live album and video One for

2052-490: The launch of Harrison's Dark Horse Records ). Performers included Harrison, Ravi Shankar , Harrison's session common session drummer Jim Keltner , and keyboardist Billy Preston . At one point in the show, a girl tried to climb onstage, but was stopped and assaulted by police; Harrison stopped mid-song and shouted "Krishna! Krishna!". Some of the songs on the Eric Clapton album E. C. Was Here were recorded live at

2106-776: The naming rights and the arena would now be called the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Led Zeppelin performed there on July 6, October 31, 1969, and July 21, 1973. Jimmy Page was quoted saying this was one of the best concerts of the Houses of the Holy Tour. The Grateful Dead recorded half of their live album Dick's Picks Volume 12 there on June 26, 1974. Queen performed there in 1977, 1978 and 1980. Rush performed there in 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991 and 1994. Yes performed there in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, and 1987. Pink Floyd performed there in 1973 on their tour for The Dark Side of

2160-403: The naming rights to the Dunkin' Donuts Center officially expired after 21 years. On September 6, 2022, it was announced that Lincoln, Rhode Island based Amica Mutual Insurance purchased the naming rights, opting to rename the arena to the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Although Amica was also awarded the rights to rename the convention center as part of the new deal, the company ultimately chose to keep

2214-626: The on-campus arena Alumni Hall due to COVID-19 concerns. The Providence Friars men's basketball team and their fans have made the AMP one of the most intimidating environments in recent years for NCAA basketball. The Friars have an all-time record of 615–236 (.722) at the AMP. On rare occasions, the Providence Friars women's basketball team has played "home" games in the arena, most notably for games against URI or UConn , where demand for tickets would be enough to warrant an arena larger than

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2268-495: The on-campus resident students operated and continues to operate out of Raymond Hall. Alumni Hall also housed the on campus post office. It served as the campus student union and was the center of campus activity prior to the construction of the Slavin Center. A part-time Hospital Trust Bank branch also operated near the ticket sales area in the foyer of Alumni Hall. The Slavin Center which is conjoined with Alumni hall opened in 1971 as

2322-496: The performance. In 1979 Kiss scheduled a show on their Dynasty Tour for August 1, 1979, and a second show was added for July 31, 1979, when the first date sold out. Both were threatened with cancellation by Cianci in light of The Who situation and a stabbing at a Bad Company concert ten days prior to the first date. After controversy, which included rock fans picketing the Ciancis' home, the shows were allowed and Cianci attended

2376-499: The plan failed due to the inability to secure federal funds. The plan was revived again as a statewide bond issue in the 1968 general election; voters outside of Providence soundly defeated the referendum. Finally, mayor Joseph A. Doorley Jr. pushed through a citywide special referendum in 1969, which passed. When this amount proved to be inadequate, Doorley pushed through another referendum in 1971, which also passed. The project became so closely associated with Mayor Doorley that it

2430-582: The project opened on schedule. The north parking garage finished January 1993; the Convention Center and south garage were completed November 1993. The center held its ribbon cutting ceremony on November 24, 1993. The adjacent Westin Hotel (now Omni Providence Hotel ) was completed in December 1994. In 2017, the Convention Center hosted 242 events. It made an operating profit of $ 800,000, which

2484-447: The song " Panama " was partially filmed during a 1984 soundcheck at the venue. Journey performed at the Civic Center on November 2, 1986, in support of their Raised on Radio Tour . Phish have performed at the venue eight times, and three of their concerts there have been released on compact disc: Live Phish Volume 20 features the band's concert of December 29, 1994, and Live Phish 04.04.98 and Live Phish 04.05.98 feature

2538-604: The start of the 1980–81 indoor season . The Providence Bruins of the AHL began play at the arena in 1992. The New England Steamrollers of the Arena Football League (AFL) also called the arena home for their single season of existence in 1988. A number of other professional sporting events, including Harlem Globetrotters basketball games and regular season and preseason games for the Boston Celtics of

2592-530: The state announced that the Dunkin Donuts Center would be used as a large-scale COVID vaccination site. The lost revenue caused the Dunkin Donuts Center to post a loss of $ 611,000 for 2020. In April 2022, the naming rights held by Dunkin' were set to expire after 21 years. These rights were later extended, and subsequently expired on June 30, 2022, though the convention center authority and Dunkin' agreed to continue allowing signage referring to

2646-552: The state. The Convention Center Authority purchased the Bonanza Bus Station and two parking lots to provide land. The bus station was demolished to make room for the Convention Center. Construction on the Center proceeded rapidly, despite the land being unstable; the site had been the location of the Great Salt Cove, which meant that pilings had to be driven deeper than originally anticipated. Despite this,

2700-426: The student union and many of the Alumni Hall facilities were relocated to that building. The Alumni Hall cafeteria was also the site for many on-campus mixers during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s when girls from all-women Catholic colleges in the region like Emmanuel College , Anna Maria College , Regis College , Salve Regina University , Albertus Magnus College and Saint Joseph College would be bussed in for

2754-409: The upper level. When the men's team played there, Alumni Hall's upper level was traditionally reserved for season ticket holders while the bleacher seating was generally filled with students. On February 21, 2018, the final 13:03 of the second half in a Providence-Seton Hall men's game was played at Alumni Hall the following day after the court at the Dunkin' Donuts Center had slippery conditions due to

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2808-409: Was considered a success. In October 1974, Civic Center director Harold Copeland was convicted of soliciting a $ 1,000 bribe from a concert promoter. The conviction, occurring a month before election day, thrust prosecutor Vincent Cianci into the mayor's office and ended Doorley's political career. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Civic Center fell into decline; it required city bailouts and was seen as

2862-418: Was featured in a two-part WPRI Channel 12 news story by reporter Brian Rooney, citing it as a prime example of how the newly built Centrum was cutting deeply into the Civic Center's business by providing aggressive competition for events. Talking Heads performed in support of their album Speaking In Tongues on October 4, 1983. Van Halen performed at the Civic Center many times and the music video for

2916-480: Was referred to in the press as "Doorley's Dream". The Providence Civic Center was constructed in 1972 on the site of an old jewelry factory. The opening ceremony was held November 3, 1972, with a Providence Reds hockey game. President Richard Nixon , campaigning in the area, was invited to the attend the opening, but he declined. In its first year, the center hosted concerts by Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra , as well as hockey games and political rallies, and

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