Arena celebrates ‘Tencennial’

The Spokane Arena is throwing its 10th birthday party on Wednesday, and you’re invited.

They call it their “Tencennial Celebration” – a word you won’t find in Webster’s, but which at least conveys the flavor of the festivities.

From 5 to 9 p.m., you can shoot hoops on the Arena floor, tour the press box and backstage areas, win door prizes and eat cake. Everybody will get a surprise birthday gift. And it’s all free.

Why?

Because the management of the Arena (full name: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena) is proud of what it has pulled off over the last decade.

Here are the raw numbers:

•7.6 million guests.

•370 Spokane Chiefs hockey games.

•269 family shows (think circuses and Monster Truck Jams).

•159 concerts.

•Three NCAA tournament events (men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball).

•One Western Hockey League Memorial Cup.

The Harlem Globetrotters have trotted in nine times; Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn have shown up four times each; and Garth Brooks had five sellouts in one week.

Wednesday’s Tencennial Celebration also will include a Monster Jam Challenge on the Arena’s Videowall; a Spokane Chiefs Hockey Shoot; the Spokane Arena’s Wheel of Fortune with prize drawings every 10 minutes; the Great Arena Dunk Tank; and a drawing for two Southwest Airlines round-trip tickets.

A Tencennial Birthday Card – offering discounts at Taco Bell restaurants, Arena concession stands and parking lots, and selected events – will go on sale for $10 at the Arena box office beginning at the event. It also will be available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).