Arena Digest - St. Pete Times Forum / Tampa, Fla.

Year Opened	1996
Capacity	19,758
Architect	Ellerbe Becket
Web Site	www.sptimesforum.com
Phone	813/301-6500
Anchor Tenants	Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) / Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
Parking	Parking surrounds the complex.
Directions	401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602. From Orlando, Lakeland, Plant City, Daytona, Jackonsville and Polk County: Take I-4 West to I-275 South to Exit 45A Downtown East, south on Jefferson to Whiting Street. Right on Whiting Street to Morgan to Channelside Drive. FROM Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Naples and Port Charles: Take I-75 North to Exit 50 Lee Roy Selmon (Cross-town Expressway, toll $1.25 ),Go west on Cross-town to Exit 8 Downtown East, Right on Kennedy Blvd to Morgan, Left on Morgan to Channelside Drive. FROM Brandon, Vero Beach, Palm Beach and Gibson: Take S.R. 60 (Adamo) West to Channelside Drive, South on Channelside to Ice Palace Drive. Left on Ice Palace Drive. From St. Petersburg, South St. Petersburg and Maderia Beach: Take I-275 North to Exit 44 Ashley Drive., to Jackson, Left on Jackson to Morgan. Right on Morgan to Channelside Drive. FROM Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs and Oldsmar: Take S.R.60 ( Gulf to Bay/Courtney Campbell to I-275, Go north on I-275 to Exit 44 Ashley Drive, to Jackson. Left on Jackson to Morgan. Right on Morgan to Channelside Drive. From NW Tampa, Hudson, New Port Richey, Pasco, Springhill: Take Veterans Expressway (S.R. 589) South To I-275 to Exit 42 Armenia Avenue, South on Armenia to Platt Street, Left on Platt. Platt turns into/ Channelside Drive. From Tampa, N. Tampa, Ocala, Gainsville, Town & Country, Land O' Lakes and Zephyrhils: Take I-275 South to Exit 45A Downtown East, Go south on Jefferson to Whiting Street. Right on Whiting Street to Morgan. Go left on Morgan to Channelside Drive.

History
Another expansion team in the early 90s, the Tampa Bay Lightning originally played in the Thunder-Dome where from 1993-1995 averaged almost 20,000 fans a game. In their fourth year in the league, the Lightning even made the playoffs.

The 1996-97 season was when the Lightning moved to their own arena, the Ice Palace. The attendance was low, not because of the arena, but because of the changes in ownership, and the team was not playing as fans once remembered.

The arena itself is one of the most attractive in the NHL. Start off by checking out the 75-foot sculpture of three yellow lightning bolts that neighbor the Ice Palace, then be prepared because this might be the first time you have ever seen palm trees in front of the hockey arena. The glass construction gives the place a museum-like appearance. The ticket prices are extremely reasonable for NHL-comparison, and the view is amazing from every seat due to the steep construction that claims there is no seat more than 100 feet from the ice.