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The Hippodrome

Coordinates: 42°30′35″N 92°22′25″W / 42.50972°N 92.37361°W / 42.50972; -92.37361
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hippodrome
Map
Former namesHippodrome (1919–1965)
McElroy Auditorium (1965–2018)
Address257 Ansborough Ave
Waterloo, IA 50701
OwnerNational Cattle Congress
OperatorNational Cattle Congress
Capacity5,155
7,000 (maximum)
Surface210' x 85' (indoor football)
Construction
Opened1919
Renovated1936
Tenants
Waterloo Hawks (NBL) (NBA) (NPBL)
(1948–1951)
Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
(1962-1994)
Iowa Stars (CHL)
(1969-1970)
Iowa Woo (TAL)
(2024-present)
Website
nationalcattlecongress.com/the-hippodrome/

The Hippodrome, formerly known as the McElroy Auditorium, is a 5,155 permanent seat multipurpose arena located in Waterloo, Iowa. The auditorium was built in 1919 and renovated in 1936, when the roof was raised, floor was excavated and additional seating was added.

The arena was named in honor of R. J. McElroy beginning around 1965, after the Waterloo broadcaster and philanthropist unexpectedly died. In 2018, the name of the venue was officially changed back to The Hippodrome.[1]

Arena Design

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The auditorium has been in continuous operation since 1919, making it one of the oldest arenas in the country. The arena contains 234 classic arena style box seats and a 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) art deco lobby. With chairs placed on the arena floor, the arena holds up to 7,000 seated for concerts depending on stage configuration. There are four large concession areas and a 150-seat restaurant. For concerts, remote beverage stations are added along with an old milk truck that has been restored into a "hot rod" style beer truck with 8 tappers. There are 6 large modern dressing rooms and 5 large box office windows.

Usage

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National Cattle Congress

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Aerial view of the National Cattle Congress area; The Hippodrome is the oval-shaped building.

The arena style auditorium, part of the National Cattle Congress complex, is used for trade shows, concerts, conventions, livestock shows, rodeos, meetings, sporting events and more.

Sports

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It housed the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks from their inception in 1962 until Young Arena opened in 1994 and the Iowa Stars Central Professional Hockey League during the 1969-70 season. It also hosted the Waterloo Hawks of the NBL, NBA, and NPBL from 1948 to 1951. The Hippodrome currently host the Iowa Woo team of The Arena League, which began play in 2024.

As a concert venue

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The roof design and construction materials along with the room design make the venue well-suited for concerts acoustically. It has hosted a variety of acts such as Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, Red Skelton, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, KISS, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Rush, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Destiny's Child, Jason Aldean, Roy Clark, Rob Zombie, Disturbed, Dierks Bentley, Nelly and Gym Class Heroes among many others in the past years.

Naming confusion

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When the NBA played in Waterloo the arena is often referred to as McElroy Auditorium. The confusion stems from an NBA publication from the 1960s which erroneously listed the current name of the arena and not its historical name.[2]

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References

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  1. ^ "McElroy Auditorium gets new name taking the Waterloo venue back in history - Radio Iowa". Radio Iowa. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Waterloo Hawks".
[edit]
Preceded by
none
Home of the
Waterloo Hawks

1948-1951
Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
none
Home of the
Waterloo Black Hawks

1962-1994
Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the
Iowa Stars

1969-1970
Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
none
Home of the
Iowa Woo

2024
Succeeded by
Current

42°30′35″N 92°22′25″W / 42.50972°N 92.37361°W / 42.50972; -92.37361