Welsh Auditorium also known as "Civic Auditorium," was a 3,800-seat multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed venue, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, Music, musical performances or Sport, sporting events. It comprises a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for specta ...

and

convention center A convention center (American and British English spelling differences, American English; or conference centre in British English) is a large building that is designed to hold a Convention (meeting), convention, where individuals and groups ...

Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids is the largest city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States. With a population of 198,917 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 200,117 in 2024, Grand Rapids is the List of municipalities ...

. The front façade and lobby remain today.

History

According to the History of Grand Rapids: "Though desired for many years, Grand Rapids finally obtained a public auditorium during the Great Depression. Hoping to put the city’s unemployed to work on the project, City Manager George Welsh coordinated a one-and-a-half million-dollar public bond effort in 1930 to fund the construction project. The building committee selected the riverfront site of the old interurban station at Lyon and Campau. Local architects Robinson & Campau produced a design that combined Renaissance and Art Deco elements. The building included an exhibition hall, meeting rooms, a concert space, and the main arena for a total capacity of over 8,000 spectators. The vast lobby reflects the sleek, polished metal and marble of the Art Deco style." Civic Auditorium was home to the Grand Rapids Hornets of the National Professional Basketball League (1950-1951) and the

Grand Rapids Hoops The Grand Rapids Hoops were a basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their first season was in 1989 and their final season was in 2003. Professional basketball later returned to ...

, of the

Continental Basketball Association The Continental Basketball Association (CBA), originally known as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League, and later as the Eastern Professional Basketball League and the Eastern Basketball Association, was a men's professional basketball m ...

. It also hosted many concerts and events. In 1975, Civic Auditorium was renamed the "George Welsh Civic Auditorium," after the former City Manager and Mayor. The name shortened to "Welsh Auditorium" over time. With the "Civic Auditorium" front façade and lobby remaining intact, the auditorium portion was imploded on July 19, 2003, and in February 2005 was incorporated as a part of the Steelcase Ballroom of the

DeVos Place Convention Center DeVos Place Convention Center, erected on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a multi-purpose convention center. It is named for Richard DeVos, who donated $20 million towards its construction. The convention center contains ...

External links

Venue information

References

Music venues completed in 1933 Sports venues completed in 1933 Defunct sports venues in Michigan Buildings and structures in Grand Rapids, Michigan Convention centers in Michigan Concert halls in Michigan Defunct indoor arenas in the United States 1933 establishments in Michigan Sports venues demolished in 2003 2003 disestablishments in Michigan Demolished sports venues in Michigan Indoor arenas in Michigan Buildings and structures demolished by controlled implosion {{Michigan-sports-venue-stub