Constructed on the banks of the Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa the St. Pete Times Forum is one of the biggest and most profitable Arenas in North America.
Previously known as Ice Palace, the Forum is controlled through Lightning owner William Davidson�s Palace Sports and Entertainment company. The Forum was constructed as a �plan B� site for a Tampa Bay Lightning arena after a failed bid was made to build a venue next to Tampa Stadium in the early 1990�s. The Forum is heralded as part of the rebirth that is taking place in Downtown Tampa�s Channelside district.
The arena was re-designed for increased capacity � offering more seats � after the rampant success of hockey in the Thunderdome (aka Florida Suncoast Dome, now known as Tropicana Field) in St. Petersburg. With the St. Petersburg stadium drawing 20,000-27,000 to games regularly, it warranted a size increase to the under-construction arena.
The Forum�s hosted the 1998-1999 NHL All-Star Game and will be the site of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four hockey tournament (as well as hosting the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2008 and early round action in the Men’s NCAA tournament).
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And of course who can pass up looking at the arena and downtown Tampa (while the arena was under construction) circa 1995?
Directions:
FROM ST PETERSBURG/MEDERIA BEACH:
– Take I-275 North to Exit 44 (Ashley Drive) to Jackson
– Left on Jackson to Morgan
– Right on Morgan to Channelside
FROM CLEARWATER/LARGO/
PINELLAS/PALM HARBOR/TARPON SPRINGS/OLDSMAR:
– Take SR 60 (Gulf to Bay/Courtney Campbell) to I-275
– North on I-275 to Exit 44 (Ashley Drive) to Jackson
– Left on Jackson to Morgan
– Right on Morgan to Channelside
NORTHWEST TAMPA/HUDSON/NEW PORT RICHEY/PASCO/SPRING HILL:
– Take Veterans Expressway (SR 589) South to I-275
– Take exit 42 (Armenia Avenue)
– Go south on Armenia Avenue to Platt Street
– Go left on Platt
– Platt turns into Channelside Drive
NORTH TAMPA/OCALA/GAINESVILLE/
TOWN AND COUNTRY/LAND O LAKES/ZEPHYRHILLS:
– Take I-275 South to Exit 45A (Downtown East)
– Go south on Jefferson to Whiting Street
– Right on Whiting Street to Morgan
– Left on Morgan to Channelside
ORLANDO/LAKELAND/PLANT CITY/
DAYTONA/ JACKSONVILLE/POLK COUNTY:
– Take I-4 West to I-275 South
– Take Exit 45A (Downtown East)
– Go south on Jefferson to Whiting Street
– Right on Whiting Street to Morgan
– Left on Morgan to Channelside Drive
BRADENTON/SARASOTA/VENICE/FT MYERS/FT LAUDERDALE/MIAMI/NAPLES/PORT CHARLES:
– Take I-75 North to Exit 50 Crosstown Expressway (TOLL)
– West on Crosstown Expressway to Exit 8 (Downtown East)
– Right on Kennedy Blvd to Morgan
– Left on Morgan to Channelside Drive
BRANDON/VERO BEACH/PALM BEACH/GIBSON:
– Take SR 60 (Adamo Drive) West to Channelside Drive
– Go south on Channelside Drive
