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RP Funding Center

Coordinates:28°02′28″N81°57′49″W/ 28.041053°N 81.963619°W/28.041053; -81.963619
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RP Funding Center
RP Funding Center logo
RP Funding Center logo
RP Funding Center is located in Florida
RP Funding Center
RP Funding Center
Location within Florida
RP Funding Center is located in the United States
RP Funding Center
RP Funding Center
Location within the United States
Former namesLakeland Civic Center(1974-94)
Lakeland Center(1994-2017)
Address701 W Lime St
Lakeland,Florida33815-4534
LocationDowntown Lakeland
Coordinates28°02′28″N81°57′49″W/ 28.041053°N 81.963619°W/28.041053; -81.963619
OwnerCity of Lakeland
Capacity
Venues
  • Jenkins Arena: 8,178
  • YouKey Theatre: 2,236
  • Exhibit Hall: 2,834
  • Sikes Hall: 1,865
  • Lake Hollingsworth Ballroom: 468
  • Lake Parker Room: 164
  • Lake Morton Room: 110
OpenedNovember 16, 1974
Tenants
Tampa Bay Rowdies(NASL) (1983–84)
Lakeland Loggerheads(WHA2) (2003–04)
Lakeland Thunderbolts(NIFL/AIFA) (2005–07)
Lakeland/Florida Marine Raiders(UIFL/XLIF) (2012–15)
Central Florida Jaguars(AIF) (2016)
Florida Tropics SC(MASL) (2016–2023)
Lakeland Magic(NBAGL) (2017–2023)
Florida Tarpons(AAL) (2018)
Tampa Bay Tornadoes(AAL) (2021)

TheRP Funding Center(formerly theLakeland Civic Centerand theLakeland Center) is a multipurpose entertainment complex inLakeland, Florida,comprising aconvention center,arenaandtheater.Formerly, it was the home of theLakeland Magic,theOrlando Magic's affiliate in theNBA G League[1]and theFlorida Tropics SCof theMajor Arena Soccer League.

In 1991 the venue truly became one of the greats with Slayer’s Decade of Aggression live album recorded there.

About

[edit]
Aerial view of complex(c.2018).
The logo of arena until 2017.

It was home to theLakeland Loggerheadsof theWorld Hockey Association 2during the 2003–04 season, theLakeland Thunderboltsof theNational Indoor Football Leagueand later theAmerican Indoor Football Associationfrom 2005 until 2007, the Lakeland Raiders of theUltimate Indoor Football League(later to be known as theFlorida Marine RaidersofX-League Indoor Football) from 2012 until 2015, and theCentral Florida Jaguarsof theAmerican Indoor Footballin 2016. In 2018, theFlorida Tarponsof theAmerican Arena Leaguerelocated to Lakeland to use the arena for its home games.[2]

TheTampa Bay Rowdiesof the defunctNorth American Soccer Leagueused the arena for indoor soccer on several occasions including three of their sixteen home games during the 1983-84 indoor season. This would also prove to be the league's final indoor campaign before suspending operations following the 1984 outdoor season.[3]

In 1975 and 1976 the arena hostedNational Hockey Leagueexhibition matches between theMinnesota North Starsand theAtlanta Flames.Atlanta won both matches by the scores of 3–2 and 5–2, respectively.[4][5]Beginning with their inaugural season (1992–93), theTampa Bay Lightningused the center for training camp and exhibition games for several years. On September 23, 1992, hockey history was made asManon Rhéaumebecame the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game as the Tampa Bay Lightning played against theSt. Louis Blues.[6]

Elvis Presley played the Civic Center on April 27, 1975 (two shows, a matinee and an evening performance) and another evening performance on April 28, 1975. He played the center again a year later on September 4, 1976 (two performances, a matinee and an evening show).

Kissperformed here in 1976 when guitaristAce Frehleywas electrocuted leading him to later go on and write his song "Shock Me", included on theLove Gunalbum.[7]

Duran Duranplayed theLakeland Civic Centeron March 26, 1984 as part of theirSing Blue Silverworld tour.


Since 2019 it is the current home of the Central Florida Comic Con.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Fredericksen, Brady (December 14, 2016)."Orlando Magic D-League team to play in Lakeland, practice in Winter Haven".The Ledger.
  2. ^"FLORIDA TARPONS MAKE RP FUNDING CENTER HOME".Florida Tarpons. September 21, 2017.
  3. ^Beard, Randy (November 5, 1983)."Don't hold your breath as Rowdies unveil schedule".Evening Independent.p. 4-C.Retrieved2012-06-02.
  4. ^"26 Sep 1975, 38 - Tampa Bay Times".Newspapers.com.Retrieved14 December2017.
  5. ^"25 Sep 1976, 70 - Tampa Bay Times".Newspapers.com.Retrieved14 December2017.
  6. ^Kearney, Mark; Ray, Randy (30 September 2006).Whatever Happened To--?: Catching Up with Canadian Icons.Dundurn.ISBN9781550026542.Retrieved14 December2017– via Google Books.
  7. ^Gooch, Curt and Jeff Suhs.KISS Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History,Billboard Books, 2002.ISBN0-8230-8322-5
  8. ^Catala, Paul (January 16, 2020)."Central Florida Comic Con to offer more celebs, dealers at popular Lakeland event".The Ledger.Retrieved10 April2023.
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