Whittemore Center

Coordinates: 43°08′21″N 70°56′02″W / 43.13917°N 70.93389°W / 43.13917; -70.93389 Whittemore Center Arena or Whit is a multi-purpose arena in Durham, New Hampshire on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. It was built for $30 million and opened in November 1995. It was dedicated to Frederick B. Whittemore and his family on May 5, 1996. It is adjacent to its predecessor, the Snively Arena, which is still standing and is used as a recreation facility. It is also adjacent to Durham's Amtrak station, and it is across the street from Cowell Stadium.

Through the end of the 2006-2007 academic year, the arena was managed by Global Spectrum, but UNH Campus Recreation took over management before the 2007 academic year. The Whitt can seat 6,501 for hockey and basketball games, and 7,200 for concerts and similar events. It is home to the University of New Hampshire Wildcats ice hockey teams. The hockey rink has a full olympic-sized sheet of ice. The lobby is decorated with heroic portraits of past men's and women's All American hockey players.

The Whitt currently plays home to the UNH men's and women's hockey teams. The Whitt also hosts many shows and concerts throughout the year. In 2002 and 2005, UNH and the Whittemore Center hosted the NCAA Womens Frozen Four.

The basketball teams (which currently draw roughly 1,000 fans per game on average) normally play across the street at Lundholm Gymnasium, which is attached to Cowell Stadium. A few home basketball games have been held at the Whittemore Center. The arena is also a venue for many concerts, trade shows, and events. This was New Hampshire's largest arena until the Verizon Wireless Arena was built in Manchester.

Famous quotes containing the word center:

    My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.
    Ferdinand Foch (1851–1929)