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Bank of Springfield Center
The Bank of Springfield Center (originally the Prairie Capital Convention Center) is a 7,700-seat multi-purpose arena located in Springfield, Illinois.[1] The facility is adaptable to host a variety of events, including large concerts, theatrical performances, trade shows, sporting events, and school graduation ceremonies, as well as smaller gatherings such as professional training meetings, weddings and banquets. The facility contains 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2) of column-free space in the main hall and 21,000 square feet (2,000 m2) of meeting room space in the lower level. It connects, via a tunnel, to the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. HistoryIt was built in 1978 and is operated by the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority (SMEAA). The arena hosts local concerts and sporting events for the area and is the former home of the Illinois Express of the World Basketball League and the Springfield Stallions indoor football team. Prairie Capital Convention Center underwent a renovation between 2011–2014 to modernize its facilities and expand the types of events it can accommodate. This transformation included extensive expansion of the lobby by 6,000 square feet (560 m2), the addition of the outdoor BOS Plaza, additional concessions areas, an upper-level patio terrace, and two upper-level terrace areas.[2] In November 2015, the arena hosted Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball for five games while renovations to the State Farm Center were completed.[3] College wrestling tournaments have also been held at the convention center. Also in November 2015, Donald Trump held a rally in the Prairie Capital Convention Center for 10,000 supporters.[4] On June 5, 2017, the SMEAA announced that it approved an agreement to sell the naming rights for the facility to the Bank of Springfield for ten years.[5] In January 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives convened in the arena rather than the State Capitol in order to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] See alsoReferences
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