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{{Infobox convention center
{{Infobox convention center
| name = Rabobank Theater & Convention Center
| name = Mechanics Bank Theater & Convention Center
| image = Bakersfield Convention Center Entrance.jpg
| image = Bakersfield Convention Center Entrance.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| image_alt = View of the Rabobank Theater and Convention Center's Entrance
| image_alt = View of the Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center's Entrance
| image_caption = Rabobank Theater and Convention Center Entrance
| image_caption = Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center Entrance
| address = 1001 Truxtun Ave.
| address = 1001 Truxtun Ave.
| location = [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], [[California]]
| location = [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], [[California]]
| coordinates = {{coord|35.372|-119.013|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{coord|35.372|-119.013|display=inline}}
| owner = City of Bakersfield
| owner = City of Bakersfield
| operator = [[SMG (property management)|SMG]]
| operator = [[SMG (property management)|ASM Global]]
| built = 1960 - 1962
| built = 1960 - 1962
| opened = November, 1962
| opened = November, 1962
Line 15: Line 15:
| expanded = 1980, 1998
| expanded = 1980, 1998
| construction_cost= $5.5 million
| construction_cost= $5.5 million
| former_names = Bakersfield Civic Auditorium<br>(1962 - 1998)<br>Centennial Garden & Convention Center<br>(1998 - 2005)
| former_names = Bakersfield Civic Auditorium<br>{{small|(1962-1980)}}<br>Bakersfield Convention Center<br>{{small|(1980-1998)}}<br>Centennial Garden & Convention Center<br>{{small|(1998-2005)}}<br>Rabobank Theater & Convention Center<br>{{small|(2005-2019)}}
| classroom_cap = 27 - 300
| classroom_cap = 27 - 300
| banquets =
| banquets =
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| breakout = 13 Rooms<br>{{convert|9649|sqft|abbr=on}}
| breakout = 13 Rooms<br>{{convert|9649|sqft|abbr=on}}
| ballroom =
| ballroom =
| tenants = [[Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners]] {{small|([[NCAA]]) (1965–1998)}}<br>Bakersfield Kernals {{small|(CalHL) (1962-1963)}}<br>Bakersfield Flyers {{small|(Senior) (1968-1969)}}<br>Los Angeles Bruins {{small|([[Pacific Southwest Hockey League|PSHL]]) (1970-1972)}}<br>[[Bakersfield Oilers]] {{small|([[Pacific Southwest Hockey League|PSHL]]) (1994-1995)}}<br>[[Bakersfield Condors (1998–2015)|Bakersfield Fog]] {{small|([[West Coast Hockey League|WCHL]]) (1995-1998)}}<br>Bakersfield Dragons {{small|(SCAHA) (1995-1998)}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.rabobankarena.com/}}
| website =
{{URL|mechanicsbankarena.com}}
| publictransit =
}}
}}


The '''Rabobank Theater and Convention Center''' (formerly '''Bakersfield Civic Auditorium''') is a performing arts theater and convention facilities located in [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]], [[California]] (specifically in the [[Civic Center, Bakersfield|Civic Center]], [[Downtown Bakersfield|Downtown]]).
The '''Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center''' (formerly '''Bakersfield Civic Auditorium''') is a performing arts theater and convention facility located in [[Bakersfield, California]] (specifically in the [[Civic Center, Bakersfield|Civic Center]], [[Downtown Bakersfield|Downtown]]). It is adjacent to the [[Mechanics Bank Arena]].


==History==
==History==
{{More citations needed|section|date=November 2019}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=November 2019}}
The Civic Auditorium was originally constructed in 1962, to attract the convention trade to the city. The first show at the auditorium was the Ice Capades, which was on November 20, 1962.<ref>Bailey, Richard. ''Heart of the Golden Empire''. Windsor Publications, Inc. Woodland Hills, California: 1984. {{ISBN|0-89781-065-1}}. Page 99.</ref> The structure was one of Bakersfield's first buildings constructed in a definitively modern style.<ref>Maynard, John. ''Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait''. Cherbo Publishing Group. Encino, California: 1997. {{ISBN|1-882933-20-6}}. Page 82-83.</ref> In addition to housing the communities’ musical groups, such as the Bakersfield Symphony, it also contained a scenery loft and an orchestra pit, to facilitate Broadway musicals and ballets. {{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
The Civic Auditorium was originally constructed in 1962, to attract the convention trade to the city. The first show at the auditorium was the Ice Capades, which was on November 20, 1962.<ref>Bailey, Richard. ''Heart of the Golden Empire''. Windsor Publications, Inc. Woodland Hills, California: 1984. {{ISBN|0-89781-065-1}}. Page 99.</ref> The structure was one of Bakersfield's first buildings constructed in a definitively modern style.<ref>Maynard, John. ''Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait''. Cherbo Publishing Group. Encino, California: 1997. {{ISBN|1-882933-20-6}}. Page 82-83.</ref> In addition to housing the communities’ musical groups, such as the [[Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra]], it also contained a [[Theatrical scenery|scenery loft]] and an [[orchestra pit]], to facilitate Broadway musicals and ballets. {{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}


By 1976, Bakersfield began plans for the facilities' first major expansion. The plan would include construction of a convention center, which would be intertwined with the existing theater. It would also include the construction of a hotel directly adjacent and connected to the theater. The convention center was completed in 1980, but budget problems would delay the hotel until 1993. The name was also changed to the Bakersfield Convention Center.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
By 1976, Bakersfield began plans for the facilities' first major expansion. The plan would include construction of a convention center, which would be intertwined with the existing theater. It would also include the construction of a hotel directly adjacent and connected to the theater. The convention center was completed in 1980, but budget problems would delay the hotel until 1993. The name was also changed to the Bakersfield Convention Center.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}


In 1998, the facility was again modified. The parking lot, located east of the facility, was removed for the construction of the 10,000-seat sports arena. The combined complex was renamed the Centennial Garden and Convention Center. Incorporated in the design of the sports complex was a connection to the exhibit hall. This unique feature allows for the convention center to be used as a staging ground or warm-up facility for events being held in the arena. The entire complex was renamed seven years later, when the city signed a 10-year agreement with Rabobank, to name the complex the Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
In 1998, the facility was again modified. The parking lot, located east of the facility, was removed for the construction of the 10,000-seat sports arena. The combined complex was renamed the Centennial Garden and Convention Center. Incorporated in the design of the sports complex was a connection to the exhibit hall. This unique feature allows for the convention center to be used as a staging ground or warm-up facility for events being held in the arena. The entire complex was renamed seven years later, when the city signed a 10-year agreement with Rabobank, to name the complex the Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center. Following the acquisition of Rabobank, N.A. by Mechanics Bank, the naming rights transferred to Mechanics Bank.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Rabobank Arena]]
*[[Mechanics Bank Arena]]
*[[List of convention centers in the United States]]
*[[List of convention centers in the United States]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 47: Line 50:


{{Downtown Bakersfield}}
{{Downtown Bakersfield}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bakersfield, California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bakersfield, California]]
[[Category:Convention centers in California]]
[[Category:Convention centers in California]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1962]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1962]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bakersfield, California]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bakersfield, California]]

Latest revision as of 06:38, 4 June 2024

Mechanics Bank Theater & Convention Center
View of the Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center's Entrance
Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center Entrance
Map
Address1001 Truxtun Ave.
StandortBakersfield, California
Coordinates35°22′19″N 119°00′47″W / 35.372°N 119.013°W / 35.372; -119.013
OwnerCity of Bakersfield
OperatorASM Global
Built1960 - 1962
OpenedNovember, 1962
Expanded1980, 1998
Construction cost
$5.5 million
Former names
Bakersfield Civic Auditorium
(1962-1980)
Bakersfield Convention Center
(1980-1998)
Centennial Garden & Convention Center
(1998-2005)
Rabobank Theater & Convention Center
(2005-2019)
Classroom-style seating
27 - 300
Theatre seating
3,000
Enclosed space
 • Total space88,326 sq ft (8,205.8 m2)
 • Exhibit hall floor29,450 sq ft (2,736 m2)
 • Breakout/meeting13 Rooms
9,649 sq ft (896.4 m2)
Tenants
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (NCAA) (1965–1998)
Bakersfield Kernals (CalHL) (1962-1963)
Bakersfield Flyers (Senior) (1968-1969)
Los Angeles Bruins (PSHL) (1970-1972)
Bakersfield Oilers (PSHL) (1994-1995)
Bakersfield Fog (WCHL) (1995-1998)
Bakersfield Dragons (SCAHA) (1995-1998)
Website
mechanicsbankarena.com

The Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center (formerly Bakersfield Civic Auditorium) is a performing arts theater and convention facility located in Bakersfield, California (specifically in the Civic Center, Downtown). It is adjacent to the Mechanics Bank Arena.

History

[edit]

The Civic Auditorium was originally constructed in 1962, to attract the convention trade to the city. The first show at the auditorium was the Ice Capades, which was on November 20, 1962.[1] The structure was one of Bakersfield's first buildings constructed in a definitively modern style.[2] In addition to housing the communities’ musical groups, such as the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, it also contained a scenery loft and an orchestra pit, to facilitate Broadway musicals and ballets. [citation needed]

By 1976, Bakersfield began plans for the facilities' first major expansion. The plan would include construction of a convention center, which would be intertwined with the existing theater. It would also include the construction of a hotel directly adjacent and connected to the theater. The convention center was completed in 1980, but budget problems would delay the hotel until 1993. The name was also changed to the Bakersfield Convention Center.[citation needed]

In 1998, the facility was again modified. The parking lot, located east of the facility, was removed for the construction of the 10,000-seat sports arena. The combined complex was renamed the Centennial Garden and Convention Center. Incorporated in the design of the sports complex was a connection to the exhibit hall. This unique feature allows for the convention center to be used as a staging ground or warm-up facility for events being held in the arena. The entire complex was renamed seven years later, when the city signed a 10-year agreement with Rabobank, to name the complex the Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center. Following the acquisition of Rabobank, N.A. by Mechanics Bank, the naming rights transferred to Mechanics Bank.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bailey, Richard. Heart of the Golden Empire. Windsor Publications, Inc. Woodland Hills, California: 1984. ISBN 0-89781-065-1. Page 99.
  2. ^ Maynard, John. Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait. Cherbo Publishing Group. Encino, California: 1997. ISBN 1-882933-20-6. Page 82-83.
[edit]
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