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Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) is a multi-purpose arena and convention center complex located in Duluth, Minnesota. It was home to the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's hockey team from 1966-2010. The DECC is located on the waterfront near Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
(DECC) | |
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| Former names | Duluth Arena Auditorium (1966–2010) |
|---|---|
| Address | 350 Harbor Drive Duluth, MN 55802 |
| Owner | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center |
| Operator | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center |
| Capacity | 5,333 |
| Surface | 190' x 85' (hockey) 210' x 85' (indoor football) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Construction cost | $6.5 million |
| Tenants | |
| Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Men's Hockey (1966–2010) Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs Women's Hockey (1999–2010) Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks (IFL) (1999–2000) Duluth Harbor Monsters (TAL) (2024–present) | |
History
The DECC Arena, originally called the Duluth Arena Auditorium, was built at a cost of $6.5 million, the arena portion of the complex houses a 190-by-85 foot hockey rink with 5,333 seats, and six locker rooms, including the recently remodeled $2 million locker room facility now used by the men and women Bulldog hockey teams.
The rink can be converted to allow the DECC Arena to host concerts, dinners, conventions, and shows. A spacious lobby, where ticket sales originate, separates the Arena from Symphony Hall.
Sports
The DECC was the site of the NCAA I men's hockey championships in both 1968 and 1981, hosted the 2003 and 2008 Women's NCAA Division I Frozen Four.
The DECC Arena hosted the Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks, an indoor football team, from 1999–2000 and currently host the Duluth Harbor Monsters in The Arena League, which began play in 2024.
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Symphony Hall is an auditorium that seats 2,400 and plays host to concerts, symphonies, plays, operas, high school and college graduations, and a variety of other activities.
Pioneer Hall was added in 1976, and contains a hockey rink with smaller seating capability utilizing fold-out bleacher seating. Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club with eight curling rinks (can be expanded to provide up to 13 curling sheets for major events) and a lounge area. It is the largest curling venue in the United States, and has hosted two World Championships, the US Olympic Trials, and numerous National events. The Duluth Curling Club is the second largest curling club in the United States.
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Paulucci Hall, located beneath the lobby and built with the original Duluth Arena Auditorium in 1966, hosts numerous events. exhibits, expos, and social functions. Originally named Exhibition Hall, the space was dedicated to Jeno Paulucci on April 24, 1967.
In the mid-1990s a $30 million convention center was added, which is the site of numerous social, business and entertainment events, and features the 26,000 sq ft (2,400 m2) Lake Superior Ballroom, the 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) Harborside Ballroom, and 25 Meeting Rooms.
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The 2008 Minnesota bonding bill included $38 million for the "DECC expansion project". The DECC expansion included a new multi-purpose arena for the UMD men's and women's ice hockey teams, The arena was an increase in seating capacity by 2,100 from the original DECC Arena and seats 6,600 for ice hockey and 8,500 for concerts. The expansion project also included a new parking ramp and more space for conventions and concerts, which DECC director Dan Russell said will bring more events to the complex. Construction began in September (2008), and the AMSOIL Arena opened on December 30, 2010 for a Men's UMD hockey game against the University of North Dakota.[1][2] The new arena was named AMSOIL Arena.[3]
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