Wheeling Civic Center | WesBanco Arena

The Wheeling Civic Center was built in the mid-1970s at a cost of approximately $10 Million. Ground broke on the project in August 1975, and the 7,500-set facility opened Tuesday, April 19, 1977, with the Doobie Brothers playing the opening concert. Olivia Newton-John played in the Civic Center the following Sunday. 

In 1979, the Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board put out a call to artists for a mural project at the Civic Center. Four murals depicting Wheeling history were unveiled on June 22, 1981. 

The arena has been the home of the Wheeling Nailers hockey team since 1993.

Owned and operated by the Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board, in 2003, the arena made a $2.3 million contract with WesBanco Bank for a 10-year naming rights deal, renaming the Civic Center the WesBanco Arena. The naming rights contract was renewed for another 10 years in 2013 for $2.5 million. 

Plans for a three-phase renovation project funded by bonds backed with revenue from Wheeling’s municipal sales tax that went into effect on Oct. 1, 2013. In phase one, a new, $850,000 video board was installed at the end of January 2015. Phase two included new seats and handrails throughout the venue. The $4.2 million contract was awarded to Colaianni Construction in 2015 and completed in the 2016-2017 season. Phase three included a major facade overhaul, a modern glass front, the arena entrance brought to street level and a street-level indoor ticket office. An open house was held for the newly renovated WesBanco Arena on June 18, 2016. Architectural services on the project were provided by M&G Architects & Engineers. The incurred by the renovations is projected to be paid off by the city in full by 2030.

Location

▶ 2 14th Street (corner of 14th and Water Street)

Images

Articles

▶ Auditorium Board Accepts Plans, The Intelligencer, November 3rd, 1972, pg. 17. 
▶ Wheeling Zooms Past Pittsburgh In Convention Center Race, The Pittsburgh Press, September 6, 1975  

Additional Resources

Materials in the Library's Wheeling Room: (non-circulating - ask for access at reference desk)