Save Mart Center

The Save Mart Center at Fresno State is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the California State University, Fresno, located in Fresno, California. An open house was held for community on 5 November 2003 with the official ribbon cutting following on 27 November 2003. Save Mart Center is home to the Fresno State Bulldogs basketball team and, for the first five seasons in the ECHL (2003-08) the Fresno Falcons ice hockey team; prior to the opening of the building, the teams played in Selland Arena.
==Facilities==
The Save Mart Center encompasses approximately 40,000 m² (430,000 ft²) on three primary levels; an event level and two concourses, plus a club level mezzanine. The facility includes thirty-two revenue-generating suites and eight party suites, located on the main concourse level. Seating capacities are approximately 15,500 for basketball, 14,000 for hockey, 8,000 for half-house concerts, 15,500 for end-stage concerts, and 18,000 for center-stage concerts.
The arena's main exterior landmark is the 37 m (93 ft) Larry A. Shehadey Clock Tower. Thirteen stories in-all, it was named for the founder of Producers Dairy Foods, a Fresno-based dairy company, who donated US$3 million towards construction. The lobby at the arena's southeast entrance is named after Shehadey’s late wife, Elayne Shehadey.
The majority of the funding for the facility came from two sources. Save Mart Supermarkets paid US$40 million for 20 years naming rights, and the Pepsi Bottling Group paid a similar sum for exclusive, indefinite beverage dispensing rights. Total construction costs exceeded US$100 million and when completed, represented the largest privately funded complex of any university in the United States.
==Sports Events==
Officials from the Fresno Falcons of the West Coast Hockey League announced on 18 March 2002 that the Falcons would make the Save Mart Center at Fresno State their home ice beginning with the 2003 season.
The Save Mart Center hosted a NHL Pre-Season Game on September 23, 2006. The San Jose Sharks took on the 2006/2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks defeated the Ducks 4-3, Joe Thornton scored the Game-Winning Goal for the Sharks.
==External links==
* Save Mart Center at Fresno State official site
* Fresno Falcons official site
* Fresno State Bulldogs Athletics official site
* Sink Combs Dethlefs Project Page
Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in California
Category:ECHL arena