WFCU Centre

The WFCU Centre is a sports-entertainment centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.It opened on December 11, 2008, and it is named after the Windsor Family Credit Union, a Windsor, Ontario-based financial institution. It is located in the east end of the city, northeast of the intersection of Tecumseh and Lauzon Roads.

The WFCU Centre was built, in part, to be the new home of Windsor's Ontario Hockey League team, the Windsor Spitfires, replacing the 84-year-old Windsor Arena in downtown Windsor.

Ownership and management
The WFCU Centre is owned by the City of Windsor. Windsor city council approved the project on October 4, 2006. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on January 22, 2007. The WFCU Centre is managed by Global Spectrum, the Philadelphia-based company, which also operates more than 40 other arenas, stadiums and convention centres.

Seating and ticketing
Approximate capacities:


 * 6,500 - Hockey
 * 6,500 – 7,000 - End stage concert
 * 3,000 – Small concert stage
 * 2,100 - Theatre mode
 * 7,000 - Centre stage concert

In addition to the standard end stage configuration for large concerts, the arena can be set up to accommodate touring Broadway shows or smaller concerts in its theatre mode. The theatre mode features a small, intimate atmosphere.

The centre features 35 luxury suites and more than 600 club seats.

The WFCU Centre complies with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The WFCU Centre uses an in-house system, provided by New Era Tickets.

History
The WFCU Centre was built at a cost of approximately $71 million by the Windsor, Ontario-based construction company, PCR Contractors. The land was purchased from London, Ontario developer Farhi Holdings Corporation.

The construction of this sports-entertainment centre was decided upon as a part of the city government’s overall effort to add excitement to the economy. As part of that effort, Windsor city council committed to building the centre, and agreed to fund most of the cost.