Quick Facts

The Ford Center will be a cornerstone for continued revitalization downtown. Its sweeping curved forms evoke the unique nature of the horseshoe bend in the Ohio River while providing an aesthetic that is of its time, reflecting its citizens’ forward-thinking nature. The use of native Indiana limestone at the arena’s base creates a visual grounding for the building while also respecting the materiality of Evansville’s civic buildings. The focused use of glass is intended to give frequent views both out of and into the building and to become a beacon for the city and its development.

The 290,000 square foot venue is located at the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. It is the home court for the Evansville Aces men’s and women’s basketball teams, accommodating shows, exhibitions and concerts; it also has a regulation NHL ice sheet and hockey support spaces.

Reserved Seating

• 16 16-person suites
• One 24-person suite
• Two eight-person mini suites
• Two 10-person mini suites
• 92 main concourse loge seats
• 516 club seats with access to suite-level clubs

Fan Accommodations

• 6 concession stands and one bar on the main concourse level with provisions for portable concession stands on the main and event levels
• Buffet service at suite level club
• Hospitality room at event level for special events
• 6 men’s restrooms at main concourse level
• 7 women’s restrooms at main concourse level
• 5 family restrooms at main concourse level
• Two men’s, two women’s and one family restroom on the event level
• 34-inch treads and minimum 20-inch seat widths

Accessibility
Designed to be fully accessible. Seating contains the following:

• 114 wheelchair spaces on 4 levels
• 114 wheelchair companion seating spaces
• 114 easy access seats for patrons with limited mobility
• 4 passenger elevators and 1 freight elevator
• 2 escalators

Other Features

• Basketball locker rooms for University of Evansville men’s and women’s teams, plus 2 visitor/auxiliary locker rooms
• 2 hockey locker rooms and support area
• Officials’ locker rooms and green rooms that can also be used for dressing rooms during concerts
• 3 loading docks
• Drive-on truck access to the facility's floor
• Large marshalling and storage area
• Dedicated show power for concerts
• 180,000 pounds of rigging capacity over the stage
• More than 200,000 pounds of load capacity on the roof

Sustainable Design

• Goal is to achieve USBGC LEED Silver Certification (to be determined in 2012)
• Use of a previously developed site
• Close proximity to public transportation routes
• Enhanced building commissioning plan to properly balance and calibrate mechanical systems to improve energy and resource efficiency
• Use of FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified wood to promote sustainable lumber harvesting practices
• Use of low-emitting materials and finishes for improved indoor air quality
• Use of light colored/reflective roof and hardscape materials to reduce urban heat island effect
• Zero use of CFC-based refrigerants in building mechanical and refrigeration systems, contributing to a reduction in ozone depletion
• Implementing recycling program for arena waste
• Successfully diverted more than 75% of construction waste from landfill disposal
• Use of recycled building materials throughout: concrete, steel structure, aluminum skin, as well as interior finishes
• Use of locally and regionally sourced materials where possible
• Use of day lighting and views out of the building in public concourse spaces
• Energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and lighting systems with digital controls
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Orientation of glass and the lobby to north and northeast to reduce cooling loads