Another chapter in Pasadena’s great and colorful history will return to life in February, when the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium Exhibition Hall – or Exhibit Hall “C†as it is known – reopens after last serving as an exhibition hall and ballroom nearly 40 years ago.
Constructed in 1931 and opened in February 1932 as part of the original Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the exhibit hall was used for conventions, dances and various exhibits. It was re-purposed as home to the Pasadena Ice Skating Center in 1976. The hall held the ice rink until 2011, when the Pasadena Ice Skating Center moved to a new, stand-alone facility to the east of the Civic Auditorium.
“We’re delighted to bring this historic renovated exhibition hall back on line as part of our overall convention center,†said Michael Ross, chief executive officer of the Pasadena Center Operating Company, which oversees the Pasadena Convention Center, Civic Auditorium and Ice Skating Center. “This major restoration project maintains the building’s celebrated architecture with modern amenities, and it adds to our capacity to host additional and bigger world-class trade shows, consumer shows, conventions, banquets and other events.
Renovations to the 17,000-square-foot hall began during the summer and are estimated to cost $900,000.
The restored exhibition hall is scheduled to reopen on Feb. 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the Liberty/Conceived concert, a part of MUSE/IQUE’s Uncorked Series.
For more information about the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Pasadena Convention Center, contact the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 307-7977 or visit www.VisitPasadena.com.
