Sheboygan Municipal Auditorium and Armory

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Sheboygan Municipal Auditorium and Armory (commonly known as The Armory) is an indoor arena in Sheboygan, Wisconsin which was built in 1942 as a WPA project on the city's lakefront.^{[1] [2]}

It hosted the National Basketball Association's Sheboygan Redskins from 1942 until 1951. The building was the site of the cross-town basketball rivalry between Central/South High and North High from the building's opening until 2006, when both schools opened large on-campus fieldhouses which seat approximately 3,000 people. ^[2]

The building seats 3,500 and features permanent balcony seating, along with bleacher seating on the floor level. Currently the building is utilized for circus events, local military gatherings, blood drives, job fairs and events such as the Festival of Trees Christmas tree showcase and competition.

[edit] Future options

There are two options being considered for the future of the building. One is to use the building as part of the Great Lakes Aerospace, Science & Education Center, a 52,000 square foot complex, which is the headquarters of proposed Spaceport Sheboygan, a rocket-launching and space educational facility.^[3][2] The group needs to raise approximately $14.5 million of $17 million (as of September 20, 2006). ^[2]

Another option is to close the building in order to trim out $20,000 from the city's budget. ^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.sheboygan.lib.wi.us/pages/comingsoon.html
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} The Sheboygan Press "City may shut down Armory", Sept. 20, 2006, pages A1-A2
3. ^ http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=380619