History

The DECC: 1966 – present

1966 – The Duluth Arena Auditorium opened, home of the UMD Bulldogs hockey team.

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) was originally called the Duluth Arena Auditorium. This multi-purpose facility in Duluth, Minnesota has been home to the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog hockey team since 1966. The DECC is located on the waterfront of Lake Superior near Duluth’s famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Built at a cost of $6.5 million, the arena portion of the complex houses a 190-by-85 foot hockey rink with 5,333 seats and six locker rooms.

1968 – Hosted the NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championships.

The rink can be converted to host concerts, dinners, conventions and shows. The DECC was the selected site of the NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championships in both 1968 and 1981. And, hosted the 2003, 2008 and 2012 Women’s NCAA Division I Frozen Four. A spacious lobby, where ticket sales originate, separates the arena from Symphony Hall. Symphony Hall seats 2,221 and is home to both the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Ballet. Symphony Hall also plays host to concerts, Broadway plays, operas, dance recitals, high school graduations and a variety of other activities.

1976 – Pioneer Hall added, home to eight curling rinks and the Duluth Curling Club.

Pioneer Hall was added in 1976, introducing a hockey rink with smaller seating capability that uses foldout bleacher seating. Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club, an upstairs lounge and eight curling rinks, which can be expanded to provide up to 13 curling sheets for major events. It has hosted two World Championships, the U.S. Olympic Trials and numerous National events. The Duluth Curling Club is the second largest curling club in the United States.

1981 – Hosted the NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championships.

1986 – S.S. William A. Irvin berthed at a former WWII shipbuilding slip, adjacent to the DECC.

For more than 40 years, the S.S. William A. Irvin carried iron ore and coal to Great Lakes ports, often crashing through ferocious storms to reach her destinations. In 1986, the S.S. William A. Irvin took on a new role as a tourist attraction at the DECC. The Irvin is now berthed at a former WWII shipbuilding slip where she is visited by thousands each year. The Irvin has become the proud figurehead of Duluth’s waterfront, offering a glimpse into the world of the merchant mariner. As a flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet, she provided comfort and elegance to dignitaries and guests who traveled the Lakes with her from 1938 to 1978.

1990 – City Side Convention Center added to host conventions, social and business events, in its 26,000 sq. ft. Lake Superior Ballroom and additional meeting rooms.

In 1990, the City Side Convention Center was added, which is the site of numerous social, business and entertainment events, and features the 26,000 sq. ft. Lake Superior Ballroom and additional meeting rooms.

1996 – OMNIMAX Theatre opens.

Continuing the expansion of large entertainment space, the OMNIMAX Theatre opened in the spring of 1996. In 2005, a 10-screen movie theatre complex was added. Marcus Theaters decided to upgrade the cinema and in 2011, the OMNIMAX Theatre closed. In 2012, it reopened with a 65 foot wide, three story tall UltraScreen theatre and Take Five Cocktail Lounge. Since then, this theatre has become a major draw to the Canal Park area for locals and visitors alike.

2001 – Harbor Side Convention Center opens 12,000 sq. ft. ballroom overlooking Lake Superior.

The beautiful Harbor Side Convention Center was added in 2001 and boasts a 12,000 sq. ft. ballroom overlooking Lake Superior. All together, the DECC includes two ballrooms, 30 meeting rooms and over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to host conventions, trade shows and community events.

2003 – Hosted the Women’s NCAA Division I Frozen Four.

2005 – Ten-screen movie cinema opens.

2008 – Hosted the Women’s NCAA Division I Frozen Four.

2009 – New parking ramp opens, which accommodates an additional 475 cars.

2010 – AMSOIL Arena opens.

The next major change came in 2008, with the Minnesota bonding bill and $38 million for the “DECC expansion project.” The state of Minnesota funded nearly 50% of the $80 million cost; the voter-approved increase in the city food and beverage tax funded 27%; UMD funded 12% and the DECC funded 11%. The DECC expansion includes a new hockey arena for the UMD men’s and women’s teams, which increases seating capacity by 2,100, enhances spectator comfort and improves the college’s ability to recruit top athletes. The project also included a 475-car expansion to the DECC’s parking ramp. Construction of the ramp began in October 2008 and was completed in September 2009. Construction of the arena began in September 2008 and was completed in December 2010. The new arena is officially named AMSOIL Arena.

2011 – OMNIMAX closes, Marcus Theatres moves in to renovate.

2012 – Hosted the Women’s NCAA Division I Frozen Four.

2012 – Marcus Theatres reopens with a 65-ft. wide, three story tall UltraScreen cinema and Take Five Cocktail Lounge.

Now – The DECC offers two ballrooms, 30 meeting rooms and over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to host conventions, trade shows and community events.