Carlson Center

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The John A. Carlson Community Activity Center is a 6,443-seat multi-purpose arena in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks ice hockey team of the CCHA, the Fairbanks Grizzlies of the Indoor Football League, and is also the site used for the university's commencement exercises. 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. The Carlson Center first opened its doors on June 13, 1990. It serves as Interior Alaska's largest event facility and only facility in the Interior with tradeshow decorating capabilities. It is host to many events ranging from concerts and tradeshows to small meetings, conventions, receptions, you name the event and they can do it. The Carlson Center also has its own catering department and caters many upscale wedding receptions, holiday parties and more. Past events held at the Carlson Center have included the Harlem Globetrotters, WWE wrestling, David Copperfield, Lord of the Dance, the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in 2005 and 2007, and the inauguration ceremony of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in 2006, as well as concerts ranging from Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Godsmack, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth and many more. It is one of two CCHA arenas (Berry Events Center is the other) that has Olympic-sized ice (200 feet long by 100 feet (30 m) wide).