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Minneapolis is home to several basketball stadiums, including Target Center, Williams Arena, and Huntington Bank Stadium. Target Center, owned by the City of Minneapolis, is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA and the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. The stadium has undergone extensive renovations, including the addition of new seats, improved accessibility, and upgraded technology. Williams Arena, on the other hand, is the home arena for the University of Minnesota's basketball teams and has hosted various NCAA tournaments. The future construction of new basketball arenas in Minneapolis is a topic of discussion, with some debating the benefits against the costs and the extent of public involvement in funding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stadium Name | Target Center |
| Stadium Owner | City of Minneapolis |
| Operator | AEG Facilities |
| Teams | Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA), Minnesota Myth (Arena Football League) |
| Capacity | 19,006 (original), 1,500 new seats added in 2004 |
| Renovation | $140 million renovation in 2015 |
| Address | Corner of 6th Street and First Avenue |
| Other Features | Green roof, parquet floor (replaced prior to the 2007-2008 NBA season), 9-by-16-foot video screen |
| Other Nearby Stadiums | Huntington Bank Stadium, 3M Arena, Ridder Arena |
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What You'll Learn
- The Target Center is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx
- The Target Center underwent extensive renovations in 2015
- Williams Arena is another basketball stadium in Minneapolis
- Williams Arena was remodelled in 1950 and renamed after Henry L. Williams
- Williams Arena hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
The Target Center is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx
The Target Center is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The arena opened in October 1990 and has been home to the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since. The Timberwolves owners at the time, Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, built, owned and operated the arena for its first five years. The Target Center is also currently home to the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Lynx have won the WNBA championship four times.
The Target Center has undergone several renovations since its opening. In 2004, all 19,006 of its original seats were replaced, nearly 1,500 new seats were added, and the lower bowl was reconfigured. The original scoreboard was also replaced with a large video screen and LED signage was added to the upper deck fascia. In 2015, the Minneapolis City Council approved a $140 million renovation plan, which included upgrades to the exterior, seats, technology, and loading bays. The project was completed in 2017, transforming the venue into a state-of-the-art arena with improved infrastructure, guest experience, and aesthetics.
The Target Center has a capacity of over 20,000 for concerts and contains 702 club seats and 68 suites. It has one of only two movable arena floors in the country, which can be fully raised or lowered in 25 minutes to maximize sightlines for guests. The arena also features a private yoga centre, a two-lane track, and business offices. The venue has hosted a variety of events beyond basketball games, including family shows, graduations, private events, and concerts featuring artists such as U2, Dave Matthews, and Bob Dylan.
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The Target Center underwent extensive renovations in 2015
The Target Center, home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx, underwent extensive renovations in 2015. The $140 million project included a range of improvements to the arena, which was constructed in the late 1980s. The renovation aimed to enhance the fan experience and extend the building's lifespan.
The project included a dramatic new entrance, with the main entrance shifted to the corner of 6th Street and First Avenue, and two large glass atriums. The exterior was upgraded, with enhanced aesthetics and functionality, including improved loading bays. The interior was completely remodelled, with new clubs and premium spaces, improved technology, and upgraded seating. The arena's technology was also improved, with a new scoreboard and LED signage.
The renovation work was carefully planned to minimise disruption to fans, with the Target Center remaining open during the first two phases of construction. It then closed during the summer of 2017 for major construction work to be completed, reopening in October of that year. The project was managed by AEG Facilities, with Mortenson Construction as the general contractor.
The renovation of the Target Center was a significant undertaking, aiming to modernise the arena and improve the experience for fans and users. The project was a success, with the upgraded arena hosting sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment for years to come.
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Williams Arena is another basketball stadium in Minneapolis
The history of Williams Arena dates back to the 1924-25 season when coach Harold Taylor moved the team from the University Armory to the Kenwood Armory in downtown Minneapolis, increasing attendance capacity. However, the team only played at Kenwood for a few seasons before moving into the University of Minnesota Field House, later renamed Williams Arena, in January 1928. The original construction of the arena cost $650,000. The arena was later remodelled in 1950 and renamed after Henry L. Williams, the football coach from 1900 to 1921. As part of the renovation, the arena was divided into two sections within one building: a larger arena for basketball and a smaller one for hockey.
Williams Arena has a rich history of hosting significant basketball events. It hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship game and the 1964 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Mideast Regional. Additionally, it has hosted the early rounds of the NCAA women's basketball tournament multiple times. The Minnesota Lynx played their 2017 postseason home games at Williams Arena, winning their fourth WNBA championship in the arena.
The arena features an arched roof, similar to an airplane hangar, with double arch steel beams that create an open space for the bleachers and floor. While most seats offer good views, some seats have partially obscured views due to the upper deck extending past the trusses. Over the years, Williams Arena has undergone upgrades, including the installation of a new Daktronics videoboard and fascia displays in 2012.
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Williams Arena was remodelled in 1950 and renamed after Henry L. Williams
Williams Arena, originally known as the Minnesota Field House, is an indoor arena located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It opened in 1928 and was remodelled in 1950, after which it was renamed Williams Arena. The arena was remodelled to be divided into two separate arenas within one building: a larger one for basketball and a smaller one for hockey. The hockey section was later renamed the Mariucci Arena in 1985, and the hockey team moved into a new building in 1993. Williams Arena continues to be the home arena for the University of Minnesota's men's and women's basketball teams.
The arena was renamed after Henry L. Williams, the head football coach at the University of Minnesota from 1900 to 1921. Williams was an American football player and coach, who also served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1891. His Minnesota Golden Gophers teams won eight Western Conference titles, and his 136 wins are the most in the team's history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1951.
Williams Arena has hosted several notable basketball and hockey events over the years. It was the venue for the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship game and the 1964 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Mideast Regional. The Minnesota Lynx played their 2017 postseason home games at Williams Arena, winning their fourth WNBA championship. The hockey side of the arena hosted the Frozen Four in 1958 and 1966.
The future of Williams Arena and other sports facilities in Minneapolis has been a topic of discussion. Some have argued against public subsidies for new sports venues, citing the high costs involved. However, others suggest that a new basketball arena could offer benefits with careful planning and ambition.
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Williams Arena hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
Williams Arena, an indoor arena located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hosted the 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The arena is the home of the University of Minnesota's men's and women's basketball teams and is popularly known as "The Barn". Its student section is known as "The Barnyard". The arena is located on the university's East Bank campus, in a neighbourhood called Stadium Village.
Williams Arena has a long history, dating back to 1928 when it first opened as the University of Minnesota Field House. It was renamed Williams Arena in 1950 after Henry L. Williams, the football coach from 1900 to 1921. The 1950 renovation divided the arena into two sections within the same building: a larger one for basketball and a smaller one for hockey.
The 1951 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament was one of the many sporting events hosted by Williams Arena. The arena has also hosted the NCAA women's basketball tournament and the Frozen Four hockey tournament. In 1978, scenes for the film Ice Castles were filmed at the arena.
Williams Arena has a unique design with a raised floor, one of the few remaining in the United States, and a double-arched roof supported by steel beams, allowing for an open space for the bleachers and floor. The arena underwent renovations in 2012, which included the installation of a new Daktronics videoboard and fascia displays.
Minneapolis is home to other notable stadiums and arenas, such as the Target Center, which is the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx basketball teams. The Target Center has undergone extensive renovations over the years to improve the experience for spectators and is located near the well-known nightclub First Avenue.
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Frequently asked questions
The Target Center is the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA and the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.
The Target Center initially had 19,006 seats. However, after the renovation in 2004, nearly 1,500 new seats were added, bringing the total capacity to over 20,500.
No, the Timberwolves and Lynx previously played at Williams Arena, which was renovated in 1950 to include a larger arena for basketball and a smaller one for hockey.
The Target Center opened in 1990 and has since undergone multiple renovations, with the most recent major renovation taking place in 2015 with a total cost of $140 million.
The Target Center hosts a variety of events, including major family shows, concerts, graduations, and private events. It has also hosted notable basketball events such as the NBA All-Star Game, the WNBA All-Star Game, and the NCAA Women's Final Four.
