BMO Center

The BMO Center (formerly known as BMO Harris Bank Center and Rockford MetroCentre) is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Rockford, Illinois, United States. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team. The arena formerly served as the home of several defunct minor league sports teams, including the Rockford Lightning basketball team, the Rock River Raptors indoor football team, the Rockford Rampage indoor soccer team and the Chicago Rush arena football team.

BMO Center

"The Big Orange Box"
BMO Center in March 2024
BMO Harris Bank Center Location within Illinois Show map of Illinois BMO Harris Bank Center Location within the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Rockford MetroCentre (1981–2011) BMO Harris Bank Center (2011–2022)
Address	300 Elm Street
Location	Rockford, Illinois
Coordinates	42°16′12.95″N 89°5′45.9″W
Public transit	RMTD
Owner	Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority[1]
Operator	ASM Global[2]
Capacity	6,200 [3]
Construction
Broke ground	February 7, 1979[4]
Opened	January 31, 1981[5]
Construction cost	$15.7 million ($68 million in 2024 dollars[6])
Architect	Larson & Darby
Tenants
Rockford Lightning (CBA) (1986–2006) Illinois Thunder (NPSL) (1990–1992) Rockford IceHogs (UHL) (1999–2007) Rockford Thunder/Rampage (AISL/MISL) (2005–2007, 2008–2010) Rock River Raptors (UIF/CIFL) (2006–2009) Rockford IceHogs (AHL) (2007–present) Chicago Blitz (X League) (2022–present)

Due to its outdoor appearance, it is often referred to as the "Big Orange Box".^[7]

History

The opening night gala in 1981 was headlined by Bob Hope and Lynda Carter. The Rolling Stones made an appearance on their 1981 North American Tour on October 1, 1981. The concert was added to the tour in response to a radio station petition drive. The actual petitions were cut up and used to hold a lottery for the right to buy tickets. Each person drawn could purchase two of the $15 tickets.

The facility hosted the 1984 and 1986 Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournaments as well as numerous IHSA basketball sectional and super-sectional tournaments. In addition to athletic events, it hosts concerts, conventions, and local high school graduations.

Starting in 1999, the venue hosted the Rockford IceHogs, a minor league hockey team. Presently, it also hosts several smaller events, from monster truck rallies, to comedy shows and concerts.

Arena information

The BMO Center hosts major concerts, sport events, and other large-scale events. The complex houses press boxes, a lounge, and suites to watch sport events in style, and a multi-purpose arena.

Naming rights

On August 11, 2011, it was announced that the Rockford IceHogs had reached a long term agreement with BMO Harris Bank for the venue's naming rights, effectively rebranding as the BMO Harris Bank Center.^[8] On October 20, 2022, the arena was again rebranded as the BMO Center.^[9]

Renovations

In 2006, the city of Rockford, along with Winnebago County, announced plans to issue $23 million in bonds to fund a massive renovation of the Arena.^[10] Key to the plan was an agreement with the Chicago Blackhawks to put an American Hockey League (AHL) team in Rockford for the next 10 years. This team acts as the Blackhawks' farm team. The MetroCentre authority purchased an AHL franchise, and bought the rights to name it the "IceHogs".^[10]

During the summer of 2013, the seating structure in the building's lower level was replaced, making way for a new, updated seating system. New seats were added and the seating capacity for hockey increased to 5,895, up from 5,767. Along with new seats, the visitors' locker room was also expanded. New lights were added and the concourse was renovated. Renovations were completed due to the hard work and effort of Patrick Conery. Before renovations in 2006, the arena's seating capacity was 8,700 for basketball.^[3]

In April of 2021, the IceHogs, Blackhawks, the City of Rockford, the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced a $23 million renovation of the BMO Center, which includes a reimagined Main Entryway and Box Office, remodeled Jack Daniels Bar, and new grab & go store.^[11]