History
Serving as the Fair's prime facility, the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum was completed in 1954. The multi-use structure has hosted thousands of attractions such as major concerts, circuses, rodeos, ice shows, sporting events, motor thrill shows, and many other events and activities.
The building carries the name of the late William Rex Hirsch, who served the Fair as president in 1915 and 1916, as well as secretary/manager until his death in 1954.
Seating and amenities
The Hirsch is capable of seating 8,500 fans for basketball and can reach a capacity of 10,300 for concerts. It has 600 tons of air conditioning, five meeting rooms, four dressing rooms, over 28,000 square feet on the arena floor, and the ceiling is 90 feet from the floor.
Rental Fees
The Hirsch is available for rental at 12% of ticket sales. Additional price sheets can be obtained by calling Mary Gasper at the State Fair office.
Renovations
In 1969, the Hirsch received its first major renovation, adding a completely closed roof with 600 tons of air conditioning. In 1992, the Coliseum received more renovations which allowed for a basketball arena. Hirsch officials purchased the floor which was exclusively made for the 1991 NBA All Star Game. The arena lights were upgraded for television requirements, seats were added and remodeled, and a new scoreboard was installed.
During the mid-90s, over $750,000 of remodeling was implemented into the Coliseum. A new front entrance and box office were added and a new women's restroom was constructed.
Renovations totalling nearly $800,000 to install a permanent ice surface were completed in September of 1997, as the Hirsch became home to over 35 Western Professional Hockey League games per season. In addition to hockey, several other ice-related events are held in the Hirsch.
In 1998, the air conditioning system was replaced.
Major events
The Hirsch has seen its share of celebrities throughout the years. Some standouts include the Harlem Globetrotters, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Lawrence Welk, Roy Rogers, Elvis, Reba McEntire, George Strait, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Van Halen, just to name a few. In 1997 Garth Brooks performed three sold-out concerts in the Hirsch, totaling more than 30,000 fans.
That same year, the Coliseum and the city of Shreveport gained worldwide exposure by hosting the Miss USA Pageant. The Miss Teen USA Pageant was held in the Hirsch for the first time in 1998, returning in 1999 and completing its three-year contract in 2000.
