Welsh Auditorium

Welsh Auditorium

Interactive map of Welsh Auditorium
Full name	Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium
Former names	Civic Auditorium (1933–1975)
Location	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Coordinates	42.967658°N 85.673940°W / 42.967658; -85.673940
Owner	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Operator	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Capacity	3,800
Construction
Groundbreaking	1932
Built	1932-1933
Opened	1933
Renovated	1984, 2005
Closed	2003
Cost	1.5 Million
Architects	Robinson & Campau; Smith, Hinchman and Grylls
Project manager	City Manager George Welsh
General contractor	Owens-Ames-Kimball
Tenants
Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL) (1950) Grand Rapids Hoops/Mackers (CBA) (1989–1996)

Welsh Auditorium also known as "Civic Auditorium," was a 3,800-seat multi-purpose arena and convention center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The front façade and lobby remain today.

History

Excavation work for the auditorium, early 1930s

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, of the Continental Basketball Association. 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.

External links

• Venue information
• Media related to Welsh Auditorium at Wikimedia Commons