The TSB Arena (formerly known as the Queens Wharf Events Centre and TSB Bank Arena[1]) is an indoor arenainWellington.
Former names | Queens Wharf Events Centre (1995–2006) |
---|---|
Address | 4 Queens Wharf Wellington 6011, New Zealand |
Location | Wellington Central |
Coordinates | 41°17′8″S 174°46′44″E / 41.28556°S 174.77889°E / -41.28556; 174.77889 |
Owner | Wellington City Council |
Operator | Venues Wellington |
Capacity | 5,655 |
Construction | |
Opened | 1995 |
Expanded | 2005 |
Architect | Craig, Craig & Moller |
Tenants | |
Wellington Saints (NBL) (1995–present) Central Pulse (ANZ) (2008–present) Richter City Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2009–present) | |
Website | |
https://www.venueswellington.com/venues/tsb-bank-arena-and-auditorium-shed-6/ |
The arena hosts mainly basketball games and is the home arena for the Century City Saints and part-time home arena of the New Zealand Breakers when they play in Wellington. It was also the home arena for the Richter City Roller Derby, which started to play here in the middle of their 2009 season.[2]
It also hosts expositions and conventions like the Armageddon Pulp Expo and the DCM Book Fair. Built in 1995, it originally held 3,635 people. In 2005, the number of seats was upgraded to 4,570 as part of a redevelopment and expansion plan. There were further plans to carry out upgrades to the Events Centre in 2007 although it is unknown if these plans went ahead.[3]
It also operates as a music venue, but does not have ideal acoustics and professional sound treatment; for example, the retractable stadium traps all reflections (early and late) also acting as a bass trap (wanted or unwanted), thus impairing a clear sound.[citation needed] As a live venue, it is still able attract overseas acts.[4]
In 2005, the annual World of Wearable Art Awards (WOW) show moved from Nelson to Wellington, to the TSB Arena.[5][4]
In a feature article from 11 April 2007 edition of the Dominion Post, the Wellington Architectural Centre rated TSB Arena as Wellington's second worst building.[6] Also in 2007 the first Māori Art Market was held in the arena before moving to the suburban Te Rauparaha ArenainPorirua City.[7][8]
In July 2011 Venues Wellington (formally Positively Wellington Venues), an integration between the Wellington Convention Centre and the St James Theatre Trust, began managing the arena along with five other venues in the capital city.[citation needed]