Reunion Arena's On Its Last Legs

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Jul. 21 2009 at 8:39 AM

Categories: News

Literally, judging by this photo I took on my way back to the office from The Cedars. So what do they do now -- knock out one leg at a time and see what happens? No? Because they should.

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@Jedi: The Convention Center already has its own concert hall. Not as big as Reunion of course, but it can hold, I believe, around 8000. So I doubt the Convention Center would want to assume the cost of running Reunion, especially since any show big enough to be held there would just go to the AAC anyway.
Never saw any sporting events there, but many good concerts. The first one was David Gilmour in 1984. In fact, I've seen Gilmour, Roger Waters AND Pink Floyd (without Waters) there. Also Rush, Yes, Metallica, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Peter Gabriel, Dire Straits, AC/DC. It actually just hit me how many great shows I saw there. I lived in Denton for most of my Reunion concert years and I remember the Ticketmaster at the Golden Triangle Mall almost always had great seats available. I got front row for Roger Waters, 2nd row for Pink Floyd, 5th for Peter Gabriel, 10th for Rush (sad that I can remember what row I was sitting in for these shows more than 20 years ago but I can't remember where I put my damn car keys 20 MINUTES ago). And to think, you could see concerts then for around $25 plus $5 for parking. The AAC may be prettier and glitzier but taking in a concert there is just not an option with tickets for big shows now often topping $100! So long, Reunion. You will be missed.
That place was total greatness back in the 80's when the Colleyville Cardinals won round robin after round robin blowing away the Flames and stinging the Hornets year in and year out before Sidekicks games. I think ChadLee scored more goals in that building than Tatu!...classy enough to keep his shirt on though. I also found out that the keeper from that Cardinals team went on to score 4 goals on 9 shots for Mississippi College during the 2000 season (i guess he must have been good enough to change to midfield for NCAA D3).
I still don't understand why Reunion could not become part of the Dallas County Convention Center.
Saw so many concert there, from Elton John, Neil Diamond, Paul McCartney in 2002 (thank you Memories for the tickets) and others to many to mention. RIP Reunion.
I haven't lived in Big D for near two years. But I thought they blew that bitch up?
It looks like that carport thingie that's going up in the Arts District. I second cap'n, Reunion was a much better place to watch a hockey game. At least it was for the 15 of us that were actually watching the game.
How about leave the roof on... and put sports courts and fields under it... would be a great place for kids to play in the summer... at least until someone comes up with a better use for the site.
I'm glad this didn't happen when I was a teenager. I would've stolen a bulldozer and rammed one of those table legs. [I'm not saying I wouldn't do it now, but nobody has gotten me drunk and dared me to do it, yet... I mean really, how much trouble would you be in if nobody got hurt?]
So are they going to have a competition to come up with ideas for hanging stuff from it to cover it up?
How about making it into a giant pinata and charging a dollar a swing? Goodbye deficit.
What about having a giant flea market under there every month?
I think we should combine Wilonsky's idea with Mark Allen's observation. Let's have a Twisted Sister concert and every time they go "I Wanna Rock!" you knock out one leg.
And stereo speakers suspended by macrame nets -- but where would you hang them from? <a href="http://www.lileks.com/institute/interiors/index.html">Perhaps we could get some inspiration here</a> James Lileks is a bit of a conservative tool, but like P.J. O'Rourke and Christopher Buckley, he can be damn funny sometimes.
very perceptive daniel. giant bean bag chairs would be a nice addition.
eattrn says: They should wait until all the homeless huddle under it first '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Didn't take long for the Douche Bag Contingent to show up.
I don't know. I'm kinda thinking slap on some Neon and trun it into a a SUPER SONIC Drive in!
It looks precisely like a coffee table from 1974. So, I think they should install a mammoth 1974-ish "conversation pit" around it and crown it with a 29-foot bong.
They should wait until all the homeless huddle under it first.
I miss those Stars games at Reunion. Western Conference finals game 7s against Colorado were marvelous! And countless Mavericks and Sidekicks games. AAC just doesn't do it for me.
...remember so many radio ads for concerts in Dallas back in the 80's that screamed "We're gonna blow the ROOF OFF of Reunion Arena!!!"