Arena Digest - Gund Arena / Cleveland, Ohio

Year Opened	1994
Capacity	21,200
Architect	Ellerbe Becket
Web Site	www.gundarena.com
Phone	216/420-2000
Anchor Tenants	Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) / Cleveland Barons (AHL)
Parking	Located in downtown Cleveland, Gund Arena sits 1/4 mile from all major freeways. The Gateway North and East garages are two on-site garages that accommodate 3,300 cars and are connected to Gund Arena via covered walkways. In addition, more than 17,000 parking spaces are available within a five to ten minute walk to Gund Arena.
Directions	One Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115. Directions from the East: Take Interstate 90/Rt. 2 West. Follow signs to downtown Cleveland. Remain on Rt. 2 as I-90 curves away to the left. Exit at E. 9th St.; turn left on E. 9th St.; south to area parking. Directions from the South: Take I-77 North. Exit at E. 9th St. Follow signs to either E. 9th St. north or Ontario St. north to arena parking. Directions from the West: Take I-90 East. Exit at Ontario St. and proceed north on Ontario St. Gund Arena is located at the corner of Huron Rd. and Ontario St. Directions from the Southwest: Take I-90 East or I-71North to the Inner Belt merge. Continue on Inner Belt (I-90) to either Ontario St. or E. 9th St.; exit right onto Ontario St. north of E. 9th St. north to area parking. Directions from Cleveland Hopkins Airport: Take I-71 North. Exit at Ontario Street and proceed north on Ontario St. Gund Arena is located at the corner of Huron Rd. and Ontario St.

History
In the late 1800s, Cleveland's Central Market area was the center of the city. A residential neighborhood with rich history and a busy bazaar, it was just few blocks from the growing commercial district of Public Square. A fire destroyed the area in the 1940’s and this is where Gund Arena stands today.

Named after former Cleveland Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund, - who paid for the naming rights - Gund Arena sits next to Jacobs Field (MLB’s Cleveland Indians) to comprise the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. This project marked the first time in the country that two sports facilities were constructed simultaneously on the same site.

The arena officially opened its doors to the public on October 17, 1994 with Billy Joel as the grand opening performer, but primarily it serves as home to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and the AHL’s Cleveland Barons.