The Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville, previously known as the U.S. Cellular Center and originally as the Asheville Civic Center Complex, is a multipurpose entertainment center, located in Asheville, North Carolina. Opened in 1974, the complex is home to an arena, auditorium, banquet hall and meeting rooms.
Venues
ExploreAsheville.com Arena[1] (formerly the "Asheville Civic Center Arena" from 1974–2011) is the main arena/venue of the civic center. It holds 7,674 guests.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (originally the "Asheville City Auditorium" from 1940 to 1975) is a horseshoe-shaped theatre located to the north of the arena. The auditorium was originally built in 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration.[2] Opening in January 1940, it was renovated in 1974 and reopened December 1975. It can hold 2,431 guests.
Banquet Hall is a ballroom that holds nearly 500 guests.
History
In July 1968, the Asheville City Council approved a civic center plan which would add an exhibition center, meeting space and an arena to Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. As downtown was declining due to suburban development and malls, the complex would be a way to help downtown make a comeback. The arena was the first venue of its type in the city.[3]
With the Civic Center losing money, improvements took place starting in 2010.[3]
Proposed renovations
The City of Asheville and State of North Carolina have been pressured by many in the community to replace or renovate the aging Civic Center with more modern facilities. This debate has been going on for years, with no apparent end.[5] City Council passed a measure funding basic maintenance and has earmarked $1.5 million for the implementation of a "living roof" to replace the aging conventional roof.[6] The ultimate path for the Civic Center was unclear. A complete renovation was still an option. The most popular proposals from the community were to tear down and rebuild in the same location, or to rebuild in an area south of city hall, at the Biltmore Square Mall site, or near the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center.
Renovation of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium has been considered since 1982 but nothing was done until 2020, when a $100 million plan was announced. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed that plan but as of 2023 the funding plan had still not been completed.[7] However, starting in late July, the auditorium could no longer be used until HVAC repairs expected to take six to nine months.[8] At an August 21 meeting, five plans were presented using numbers based on a 2028 start date for work. A basic plan would cost $42 to $52 million, while the most expensive or "Broadway" plan would require $183 to $193 million.[9] The auditorium technically reopened in October with a capacity of 1,200 but had not events scheduled until January 2024, with full capacity to be ready March 2024.[10]
Naming history
On November 22, 2011, Asheville City Council voted to name the facility for U.S. Cellular, provided no other companies made a higher bid by December 31.[11] The name change was effective January 1, 2012. U.S. Cellular will pay $810,000 or more over five years and up to $1.35 million over eight years. The money will help with $5.5 million in renovations.[4]
On May 29, 2019, Asheville City Council approved a bid from Harrah's Cherokee. The five-year $3.25 million deal took effect in 2020.[12]
The Southern Conference brought the 2012, 2013, and 2014 basketball tournaments to the arena. In anticipation of the tournament, the city pledged a $3.2 million renovation of the facility.[15] In February 2018 the arena hosted a Fed Cup tennis tie between the United States and the Netherlands, featuring Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
On August 13, 2014, a major motion picture named Masterminds was filmed outside and inside at the arena standing in as a Mexico airport with palm trees everywhere.[16]
On August 14, 2024, former president Donald Trump held a campaign rally at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. [17]
