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RP Funding Center

Coordinates: 28°02′28″N 81°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, Florida 33815-4534
LocationDowntown Lakeland
Coordinates28°02′28″N 81°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)

The RP Funding Center (formerly the Lakeland Civic Center and the Lakeland Center) is a multipurpose entertainment complex in Lakeland, Florida, comprising a convention center, arena and theater. Formerly, it was the home of the Lakeland Magic, the Orlando Magic's affiliate in the NBA G League[1] and the Florida Tropics SC of the Major 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 the Lakeland Loggerheads of the World Hockey Association 2 during the 2003–04 season, the Lakeland Thunderbolts of the National Indoor Football League and later the American Indoor Football Association from 2005 until 2007, the Lakeland Raiders of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (later to be known as the Florida Marine Raiders of X-League Indoor Football) from 2012 until 2015, and the Central Florida Jaguars of the American Indoor Football in 2016. In 2018, the Florida Tarpons of the American Arena League relocated to Lakeland to use the arena for its home games.[2]

The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the defunct North American Soccer League used 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 hosted National Hockey League exhibition matches between the Minnesota North Stars and the Atlanta Flames. Atlanta won both matches by the scores of 3–2 and 5–2, respectively.[4][5] Beginning with their inaugural season (1992–93), the Tampa Bay Lightning used the center for training camp and exhibition games for several years. On September 23, 1992, hockey history was made as Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in an NHL exhibition game as the Tampa Bay Lightning played against the St. 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).

Kiss performed here in 1976 when guitarist Ace Frehley was electrocuted leading him to later go on and write his song "Shock Me", included on the Love Gun album.[7]

Duran Duran played the Lakeland Civic Center on March 26, 1984, as part of their Sing Blue Silver world 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. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  4. ^ "26 Sep 1975, 38 - Tampa Bay Times". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  5. ^ "25 Sep 1976, 70 - Tampa Bay Times". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  6. ^ Kearney, Mark; Ray, Randy (30 September 2006). Whatever Happened To-- ?: Catching Up with Canadian Icons. Dundurn. ISBN 9781550026542. Retrieved 14 December 2017 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Gooch, Curt and Jeff Suhs. KISS Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History, Billboard Books, 2002. ISBN 0-8230-8322-5
  8. ^ Catala, Paul (January 16, 2020). "Central Florida Comic Con to offer more celebs, dealers at popular Lakeland event". The Ledger. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
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