Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena, 1991
Dublin Core
Title
Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena, 1991
Alternative Title
Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena
Subject
Orlando (Fla.)
Basketball--United States
Sports--Florida
Cheerleading--United States
Description
The Orlando Magic playing the Milwaukee Bucks at the Orlando Arena, located at 1 West Amelia Street in Orlando, Florida, on December 19, 1991. The game ended with the Bucks defeating the Magic 95 to 87. Following the 1991-1992 season, the Magic would gain popularity as it acquired Shaquille O'Neal (b. 1972). Other notable Magic superstars over the years include Penny Hardaway (b. 1971), Tracy McGrady (b. 1979), and Dwight Howard (b. 1985).
Planning for the Orlando Arena, colloquially nicknamed "The O-Rena", began in 1983, but the project was delayed for several years due to financial issues. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in January of 1987. Shortly thereafter, the National Basketball Association (NBA) approved the creation of a franchise in Orlando. Construction was completed in 1989 and cost $110 million. The Orlando Magic was founded that same year, becoming the first major-league professional sports franchise in the Orlando area. On September 19, 1991, the DeVos family, with Richard DeVos (b. 1926) as the head, bought the franchise for $85 million. Although the arena originally seated nearly 15,300 spectators, renovations between 1994 and 1995 increased the arena's capacity to approximately 17,500 guests.
The name of the arena was changed to the TD Waterhouse Centre in 2000. In December of 2006, the venue was briefly named The Arena in Orlando and then the Amway Arena, after the City of Orlando and Orange County agreed to construct a new arena. The old Amway Arena closed on September 30, 2010, and operations moved to the new Amway Center, located at 400 West Church Street. Demolition of the old structure began on December 15, 2011. As of 2014, the City of Orlando has made plans to create a "Creative Village" on the site. This new complex would offer space for offices, residences, educational centers, hotels, retail stores, and entertainment venues.
Planning for the Orlando Arena, colloquially nicknamed "The O-Rena", began in 1983, but the project was delayed for several years due to financial issues. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in January of 1987. Shortly thereafter, the National Basketball Association (NBA) approved the creation of a franchise in Orlando. Construction was completed in 1989 and cost $110 million. The Orlando Magic was founded that same year, becoming the first major-league professional sports franchise in the Orlando area. On September 19, 1991, the DeVos family, with Richard DeVos (b. 1926) as the head, bought the franchise for $85 million. Although the arena originally seated nearly 15,300 spectators, renovations between 1994 and 1995 increased the arena's capacity to approximately 17,500 guests.
The name of the arena was changed to the TD Waterhouse Centre in 2000. In December of 2006, the venue was briefly named The Arena in Orlando and then the Amway Arena, after the City of Orlando and Orange County agreed to construct a new arena. The old Amway Arena closed on September 30, 2010, and operations moved to the new Amway Center, located at 400 West Church Street. Demolition of the old structure began on December 15, 2011. As of 2014, the City of Orlando has made plans to create a "Creative Village" on the site. This new complex would offer space for offices, residences, educational centers, hotels, retail stores, and entertainment venues.
Source
Original color photographs, December 19, 1991: Private Collection of Nancy Lynn Cepero.
Date Created
1991-12-19
Contributor
Cepero, Nancy Lynn
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color photographs, December 19, 1991.
Is Part Of
Orlando Collection, Orange County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
132 KB
131 KB
Medium
2 color photographs
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Orlando Arena, Orlando, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Nancy Lynn Cepero and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Curator
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
External Reference
"Magic History." National Basketball Association. http://www.nba.com/magic/history/magic_history.html.
Transcript
DELTA PEPSI Pizza Hut [illegible] SPORTS Winston [illegible]
MAGIC [illegible] BUCKS
BUD
ORLANDO ARENA
Orlando
Magic
MAGIC [illegible] BUCKS
BUD
ORLANDO ARENA
Orlando
Magic
Collection
Citation
“Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena, 1991,” RICHES, accessed April 19, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/4442.