Valley Arena Gardens
The Old Gas House | |
The Arena after its reopening in 1944, which added a new dome and expansion | |
| Former names | Holyoke City Gas Works |
|---|---|
| Address | 560 S Bridge Street |
| Location | Holyoke, Massachusetts |
| Capacity | 1,600–4,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1884 1926 (converted to arena) |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Renovated | 1944, 1953 |
| Closed | 1960 |
| Demolished | 1964 |
| Architect | Oscar Beauchemin |
The Valley Arena Gardens, most commonly referred to as the Valley Arena, was a sporting and entertainment venue in Holyoke, Massachusetts, best known for hosting weekly boxing matches which included Rocky Marciano's debut professional fight. Though best known for its history as a boxing venue, the Valley Arena also hosted wrestling, basketball, roller hockey, miniature golf and featured its own restaurant. As a nightclub and theatre in the round venue it also hosted an array of vaudeville acts such as The Three Stooges and Bela Lugosi, as well as renowned musicians including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, The Ink Spots, The Dorsey Brothers, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and The Temptations. In an interview with Woody Herman and band alumni, Jack Dulong, saxophonist and member of Herman's "Third Herd", described it as "an 'institution' for big bands."
Plagued by several fires, at least one of which was from suspected arson, as well as a decline in attendance with the emergence of television, the venue was closed following the 3rd such fire on May 12, 1960. After considerable delay, the building was ultimately demolished in August 1964.
Today the space where it once stood is occupied by the Valley Arena Park, a small recreational green space managed by the city.