Washington Avenue Armory
Encyclopedia
The Washington Avenue Armory, officially known as the Washington Avenue Armory Sports and Convention Arena and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as Washington Avenue (Tenth Battalion) Armory, is now a multi-purpose arena
in Albany, New York
. It was the home of the Albany Legends
of the International Basketball League
. As well, was the home of the Albany Patroons
basketball
teams of the Continental Basketball Association
and United States Basketball League
. The Armory has a capacity of 4,300 for concerts and conventions and 3,600 for sports events.
The Armory sits on the corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street in downtown Albany. It was built in 1890 for the Tenth Battalion of the New York National Guard, designed by state architect Isaac Perry. Since the earliest years of professional and collegiate basketball, several college and minor league basketball teams have played in the Armory, as there was no other suitable facility for basketball in the Albany area for many years.
Between 1982 and 1990, the Armory became home to the Albany Patroons
of the Continental Basketball Association
. After the Patroons moved to the then-new Knickerbocker Arena, the Armory fell into disuse and was the target of several reuse proposals including becoming the new home of the Albany Library System (whose main branch is next door to the Armory). In 2004, Albany Basketball & Sports Corporation bought the Armory and the renovated facility opened in September 2005, later that year becoming the home for a reincarnated Patroons. In 2006, the CBA Patroons were joined by the former Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
of the USBL though their first home game as the USBL Patroons did not take place until 2007. It also became home to the New York Buzz
of World TeamTennis
prior to their 2008 season.
The Armory has 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) of floor space, meeting facilities, and two video screens. Its website states that it will soon open an underground mall featuring stores and eateries. Naming rights for the facility are currently up for bid. The name change was scheduled to take place late 2006.
Jay Baron is the Armory's general manager. Former Albany County
Executive James Coyne served as general manager from 2005 to 2009.
The Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on March 2, 1995.
On December 15, 2007 the Armory had to cancel a concert of the rock band Brand New
because the roof began to cave in.
The Armory is currently the home of the Albany All Stars Roller Derby, the Capital Region's original all girl Roller Derby
.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as Washington Avenue (Tenth Battalion) Armory, is now a multi-purpose arena
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. It was the home of the Albany Legends
Albany Legends
The Albany Legends are a professional basketball team in the International Basketball League .-2010 season:The team was established in 2010 by an independent and locally owned organization, a year after the Albany Patroons went defunct...
of the International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
. As well, was the home of the Albany Patroons
Albany Patroons
The Albany Patroons were a professional basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association ....
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
teams of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
and United States Basketball League
United States Basketball League
The United States Basketball League , often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985. The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.-History:...
. The Armory has a capacity of 4,300 for concerts and conventions and 3,600 for sports events.
The Armory sits on the corner of Washington Avenue and Lark Street in downtown Albany. It was built in 1890 for the Tenth Battalion of the New York National Guard, designed by state architect Isaac Perry. Since the earliest years of professional and collegiate basketball, several college and minor league basketball teams have played in the Armory, as there was no other suitable facility for basketball in the Albany area for many years.
Between 1982 and 1990, the Armory became home to the Albany Patroons
Albany Patroons
The Albany Patroons were a professional basketball team that played in the Continental Basketball Association ....
of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
. After the Patroons moved to the then-new Knickerbocker Arena, the Armory fell into disuse and was the target of several reuse proposals including becoming the new home of the Albany Library System (whose main branch is next door to the Armory). In 2004, Albany Basketball & Sports Corporation bought the Armory and the renovated facility opened in September 2005, later that year becoming the home for a reincarnated Patroons. In 2006, the CBA Patroons were joined by the former Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
The Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs was a United States Basketball League team located in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. It operated from 1999 to 2006....
of the USBL though their first home game as the USBL Patroons did not take place until 2007. It also became home to the New York Buzz
New York Buzz
The New York Buzz was a professional tennis team competing in World Team Tennis. The team was based in Albany, New York, and played home matches at SUNY Albany's SEFCU Arena, previously playing at the Washington Avenue Armory. Earlier, the team played at Schenectady's Central Park. They competed in...
of World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis is a coed professional tennis league played with a unique team format in the United States. Each match consists of five sets. Each set features a different configuration . Coaches, before the match, decide the order in which the sets will be played...
prior to their 2008 season.
The Armory has 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) of floor space, meeting facilities, and two video screens. Its website states that it will soon open an underground mall featuring stores and eateries. Naming rights for the facility are currently up for bid. The name change was scheduled to take place late 2006.
Albany County
Albany County is the name of two jurisdictions in the United States in different states:* Albany County, New York* Albany County, Wyoming...
Executive James Coyne served as general manager from 2005 to 2009.
The Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on March 2, 1995.
On December 15, 2007 the Armory had to cancel a concert of the rock band Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
because the roof began to cave in.
The Armory is currently the home of the Albany All Stars Roller Derby, the Capital Region's original all girl Roller Derby
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
.
See also
- Lark StreetLark StreetLark Street is a historic street in Albany, New York. It is part of the "Arbor Hill, "Center Square", "Park South", and "Hudson/Park" neighborhoods, and is located one block east of Washington Park. Lark Street is home to many independently owned shops, coffee houses, restaurants, art galleries,...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Albany, New YorkNational Register of Historic Places listings in Albany, New YorkThe National Register of Historic Places listings in Albany, New York represent the history of Albany from the Dutch colonial era, through the British colonial era, the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and World War II, in addition to various periods of immigration into New York's...