Charlotte Sports · Fact Friday ·Sep 24, 2020

Fact Friday 264 - Another Look at the BoPlex

Happy Friday!

The Bojangles' Entertainment Complex, home to Bojangles' Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium and casually known as the BoPlex, was dedicated and opened to the public on September 11, 1955, sixty-five years ago. Ovens Auditorium was Charlotte’s first civic auditorium, and was named for David Ovens, a philanthropist, V.P. of Ivey’s department store, and a Canadian immigrant who became a leading advocate for the arts and culture in his adopted city. And at the time of its opening, the Charlotte Coliseum quickly gained international recognition as the largest free-span dome in the world. Its pioneering architectural design would go on to influence the design and construction of domed stadiums and coliseums around the world. Here are both buildings under construction in 1954.

Another Look at the BoPlex, photo 2

Another Look at the BoPlex, photo 3

To read more about Bojangles' Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium, check out:

Fact Friday 45 - Charlotte's First Coliseum and Auditorium

Fact Friday 184 - Bojangles' Coliseum History 2.0

Until next week!

Email me at hi@704shop.com if you have interesting Charlotte facts you’d like to share or just to provide feedback!

Information taken from:

UNCC Special Collections on Instagram | @unccspeccoll

“We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future.” – Frederick Douglass

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Fact Friday 264 - Another Look at the BoPlex

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