Upon entering the RBC Center at either the Carolina Hurricanes game on Wednesday, October 28, or the NC State Men’s Basketball game on Thursday, November 12, the first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative T-shirt presented by Centennial Authorit

RBC CENTER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

(Raleigh, NC) – The Centennial Authority, in association with Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, today announced the RBC Center will celebrate its tenth anniversary when the Carolina Hurricanes host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, and also prior to the November, 12th NC State University Men’s Basketball game. RBC Center first opened its doors on October 29, 1999, and has since hosted 1,500 sports and live entertainment events and more than 15 million guests.

“We are happy to celebrate ten years of providing a variety of world-class sports and entertainment to the community,” said Dave Olsen, the RBC Center’s vice president and general manager. “The RBC Center is a landmark that brings the community together and allows an international platform for the Triangle region."

The arena provides numerous civic and economic benefits to the Triangle and the state of North Carolina, as it enhances the quality of life for the community, supplies more than 1,200 full and part-time jobs and generates valuable tax revenue from various sources for the city, county and state. The RBC Center also helps to enhance the visibility of the region, and attract visitors to the area by way of hosting major concerts and events. Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, Celine Dion, Billy Joel/Elton John, The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the CIAA Tournament, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, 2002 & 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, 2004 NHL Entry Draft and the 2005 Jeopardy! College Championship are among the major events hosted by the RBC Center in its first 10 years.

Consistent annual upgrades and renovations have ensured that the RBC Center remains one of the most state-of-the-art entertainment venues in the Southeast. Most recently, the RBC Center received an impressive birthday gift – $4.3 million for a new scoreboard with high-tech control room upgrades and HD conversion.

Upon entering the RBC Center at either the Carolina Hurricanes game on Wednesday, October 28, or the NC State Men’s Basketball game on Thursday, November 12, the first 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative T-shirt presented by Centennial Authority, North Carolina State University and the Carolina Hurricanes.

In addition, as part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ pre-game ceremony on Wednesday, October 28, former Centennial Authority Chairman, Steve Stroud, will perform “Siren Sounder” duties in honor of the 10th Anniversary.

For Carolina Hurricanes ticket information, please visit CarolinaHurricanes.com or call 1-866-NHL-CANES; for North Carolina State University Men’s Basketball visit gopack.com or call 919-865-1510.

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