 Bankers
Life Fieldhouse
Indianapolis, IN
Unlike Major
League Baseball where the trend has been to build ballparks that
reflected ones of the early 20th century, most NBA arenas
built have been constructed with sleek modern designs. However, the
Indiana Pacers decided to go with the retro look with their home,
Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers became a NBA team in 1976-77 as a result of the
ABA folding. They played at Market Square Arena that had a
capacity of nearly 17,000 but lacked luxury suites and many
other amenities that prompted the Pacers to begin looking
into
building a new arena in the 1990s. A
retro style fieldhouse was designed by Ellerbe Becket that reflected high
school fieldhouses in Indiana for the Pacers. This design was similar to
the retro ballparks that were being built by Major League Baseball teams at
the time. Construction began in
July 1997 and was completed two years later. At a cost of $183 million, the
Pacers contributed $57 million, $79 million came from taxes and the rest
from private contributions.
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  Originally
known as Conseco Fieldhouse, the Pacers played their first
game at the arena
on November 6, 1999 winning against the Boston
Celtics. As fans approach the Pacers arena from the outside, they see a
structure that truly resembles classic basketball fieldhouses from the past.
The façade consists of brick and glass, fitting in with
surrounding buildings in downtown Indianapolis. Many fans
enter through the Entry Pavilion, the main gathering place
before and after games. The has a nostalgic look all around including
the Grand Staircase that takes fans to the different levels of the building.
The Pacers home has a seating capacity of 18,345 for basketball with 69
luxury suites and 2,400 club seats. Some of the best seats are in the
Founders Level, seats that are 16 rows from the court. In December 2011 the
arena was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse after CNO
Financial purchased Conseco. Annually Bankers Life
Fieldhouse has been ranked
one of the top arenas in the NBA.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO INDIANAPOLIS AND BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE |
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HOTELS
NEAR THE ARENA |
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DIRECTIONS TO BANKERS LIFE
FIELDHOUSE |
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View Larger Map
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BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE POSTERS |
Bankers Life Fieldhouse -
Indiana Pacers Signature Court Poster |
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matt
angle |
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