Corporate Relocation
Bakersfield’s civic facilities continue to serve up exciting new entertainment choices as both the population and business grow.
playtime in a progressive city Harvey L. Hall, Mayor, City of Bakersfield Everyone knows that Bakersfield has grown tremendously over the past few decades. To measure that growth, many methods have been used. Population is one. The square miles of the city is another. Some people think the number of retail stores or traffic levels are good indicators of how Bakersfield has grown. One yardstick that is often overlooked is Bakersfield’s civic facilities. Today’s bustling Rabobank Arena, Theater, and Convention Center is a far cry from what was then the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, which opened more than 50 years ago. Architecturally, “the Civic,” as the locals referred to it, reflected the modern space age of its time. The Ice Capades was the first show on opening day, November 20, 1962. That was the same day that Mickey Mantle was named Most Valuable Player in the American League, and the Soviet Union agreed to remove its bombers from Cuba. At the time, Bakersfield’s population was 60,351 and the city area was 17 square miles. Since then, what was once the Civic Auditorium has grown to serve the growing city around it. In the 1980s it was renamed the Bakersfield Convention Center and underwent a $6 million renovation to expand and refurbish the main lobby, meeting rooms, and the star dressing rooms. On October 2, 1998, a new 10,000 seat arena debuted with comedian Bill Cosby performing for the sold-out opening night crowd. Today, the City of Bakersfield is 150 square miles. It is larger by population than New Orleans, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, or Cincinnati. The Rabobank Arena, Theater, and Convention Center—along with the adjacent Marriott at the Bakersfield Convention Center Hotel—span six square downtown blocks. While the offerings at the Rabobank Arena, Theater, and Convention Center are high profile and attract thousands of
Rabobank Arena, Theater, and Convention Center— along with the Marriott at the Bakersfield Convention Center Hotel—span about six square downtown blocks today.
fans each year, there are two other civic facilities that provide a unique venue to enhance Bakersfield’s quality of life and entertainment options. The San Joaquin Community Hospital Ice Center of Bakersfield opened in December 2003. It can accommodate up to 400 people for public skating events, or 1,000 people for concert type events. In addition, the Ice Center has 400 pairs of rental skates and its own Zamboni ice resurfacing machine. The Ice Center also hosts corporate events, birthday parties, concerts, DJ nights, sled hockey, “learn to skate programs,” and even weddings. Approximately 25,000 guests use the Ice Center for public skating and the Center hosts >
www.bakersfieldmagazine.net / Fall 2013 51