The United Wireless Arena is a multi-purpose venue in Dodge City, Kansas. The arena sits adjacent to the Boot Hill Casino and is connected to the Boot Hill Casino & Resort Conference Center. The United Wireless Arena and the Boot Hill Casino & Resort Conference Center are both managed by VenuWorks.

United Wireless Arena
United Wireless Arena is located in Kansas
United Wireless Arena
United Wireless Arena
Location within Kansas
United Wireless Arena is located in the United States
United Wireless Arena
United Wireless Arena
Location within the United States
Former namesDodge City/Ford County Events Center (planning/construction)
Location4100 W Comanche St
Dodge City, KS 67801-8109
Coordinates37°45′59″N 100°03′46″W / 37.76642°N 100.06268°W / 37.76642; -100.06268
OwnerCity of Dodge City & Ford County
OperatorVenuWorks
Capacity5,300
Construction
Broke groundOctober 27, 2009
OpenedFebruary 17, 2011
Construction cost$41.5 million
ArchitectSink Combs Dethlefs
Project managerInternational Coliseums Company
General contractorJE Dunn Construction
Tenants
Dodge City Law (CPIFL/CIF) (2014–17; 2021)
Southwest Kansas Storm (CIF/AFL) (2022–present)
Kansas Bandits (M2) (2022–present)
KSHSAA Basketball Playoffs
Southern Plains League

It was originally known as the "Dodge City/Ford County Events Center"[1] before United Wireless purchased the naming rights to the facility in 2010.[2]

The conference center is one large space (7,200 sq feet) that can be subdivided into six separate areas. The arena has a seating capacity of 5,300 spectators.

The arena became home to the Dodge City Law of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF) league from 2014 until 2017.[3] The Law were resurrected for the 2021 season after the Oklahoma Flying Aces withdrew one week before the season start by using the Flying Aces roster and staff. The CIF then granted an expansion team to Dodge City for the following season called the Southwest Kansas Storm.[4] The arena hosts sporting events (KSHSAA volleyball and basketball tournaments, NJCAA basketball playoffs, MMA wrestling matches) along with music concerts, comedians, beauty pageants, other traveling events.

Every winter, United Wireless Arena freezes the arena floor for public ice skating and for local hockey leagues to practice on. It takes over 10,000 gallons of water to create one-inch of ice and over four days of full-time labor for four people to install the ice. The subfloor is lowered to 16 degrees (F) and the air temperature is below 58 degrees (F) to maintain the ice floor.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ "Encore Facility Management Contracted as Management Company for $41.5 Million Multi-Purpose Events Center in Dodge City, Kansas" (Press release). Tempe, Arizona: Global Entertainment Corporation. Business Wire. November 30, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Dodge City Special Events Center to be named United Wireless Arena". Dodge City Daily Globe. GateHouse Media. November 5, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  3. ^ Bluhm, Roger (April 18, 2015). "Staff does heavy arena lifting". Dodge City Daily Globe. Dodge City, KS: GateHouse Media. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "Southwest Storm arena football team introduced in Dodge City". Dodge City Daily Globe. October 1, 2021.