Carlson Center
The Carlson Center is a 4,595-seat multi-purpose arena in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. It is the third largest arena in Alaska by seating capacity after the Sullivan Arena and Alaska Airlines Center, both of which are in Anchorage. It is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks ice hockey team and also serves as the site for the university's commencement exercises as well as graduation ceremonies for Lathrop, West Valley, and North Pole High Schools. The building served as the site for the Top Of The World preseason college basketball tournament until its demise in 2007. Opening in 1990, the venue is named after John A. Carlson (1920-1988), who served as Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor from 1968 to 1982.
| Location | 2010 Second Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 64°50′32.08″N 147°45′50.69″W |
| Owner | Fairbanks North Star Borough |
| Operator | FNSB |
| Capacity | 4,595 (permanent seats) 5,703 (expanded for basketball) 6,539 (with added floor seats) |
| Surface | 200' x 100' (hockey) |
| Opened | June 13, 1990 |
| Tenants | |
| Alaska Nanooks (NCAA) (1990–present) Fairbanks Grizzlies (Intense/IFL) (2008–2011) | |
The facility is located on the banks of the Chena River near Growden Memorial Park. It is owned by the Fairbanks North Star Borough and managed by Terrell Echols of Fairbanks North Star Borough.