Beginning around 2002, the Orlando Magic and the City of Orlando have
been in discussions for a complete refurbishment or demolition of the TD
Waterhouse Centre in favor of a new facility. As of 2005, negotiations
have stalled. In recent years, arena and city officials had reported
revenue losses, and criticized the facility for not being large enough
compared to more recently constructed arenas. The media has offered
rumors that the Orlando Magic may relocate to another city (Kansas City
and Hartford, Connecticut are rumored possibilities), but team officials
have denied such claims.
It is home to the
Orlando Magic of the NBA and the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football
League. The name of the building changes for Predator games, and becomes
"The Jungle". It is also the former home of the IHL's Orlando Solar
Bears. Completed in 1989 at a cost of $98 million - entirely publicly
financed - the arena seats 17,248 for basketball and has 26 luxury
suites. The naming rights were sold in 2000 to TD Waterhouse at $7.8
million for five years. It is also used for entertainment events,
particularly large rock concerts.
The 1990 SEC men's basketball tournament was held here, as was the WWF
Royal Rumble that year. WCW held its Bash at the Beach there in 1994.
WWE Armageddon 2003 was also held there. Early rounds of the NCAA
Tournament were held there in the early- to mid-1990s.