The David S. Palmer Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Danville, Illinois, that has a seating capacity of 4,750 for concerts and 2,350 for sports. It was built in 1980. Palmer Arena is the home for the Eastern Illinois University ice hockey club. Along with team sports, the David S. Palmer has open ice skating and hosts concerts from time to time and U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program. Beginning in the 2021–22 season, the arena added the Vermilion County Bobcats of the Southern Professional Hockey League.[1]
![]() ![]() David S. Palmer Arena Location within Illinois Show map of Illinois![]() ![]() David S. Palmer Arena Location within the United States Show map of the United States | |
Location | 100 West Main Street Danville, Illinois |
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Coordinates | 40.12403°N 87.63216°W / 40.12403; -87.63216 |
Owner | Danville Civic Center Authority |
Capacity | 4,750 (concerts) 2,350 (sports) |
Construction | |
Broke ground | August 17, 1978 |
Opened | September 20, 1980 (1980-09-20) |
Tenants | |
Eastern Illinois Panthers Ice Hockey Danville Dashers (CnHL) (1981–1986) Danville Fighting Saints (AAHL) (1986–1989) Danville Wings (NAHL/USHL) (1994–2004) Danville Pounders (NEHL) (2006–2007) Danville Demolition (AIFA) (2007) Danville Inferno (GLJHL) (2008–2010) Danville Dashers (FPHL) (2011–2020) Danville RiverHawks (PBL) (2015–2016) Vermilion County Bobcats (SPHL) (2021–present) | |
Website | |
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It was home to the Danville Dashers hockey team from 1981 until 1986 and later as the Danville Fighting Saints in the All-American Hockey League from 1986 to 1989. Hockey returned to arena with the Danville Wings junior hockey team, the Danville Pounders of the North Eastern Hockey League, and the Danville Inferno. From 2011 to 2020, it was home to another Danville Dashers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League.[2] The arena has also hosted indoor football with the Danville Demolition for one season in 2007 while the Ultimate Indoor Football League planned to have a team in the arena in 2012 but never launched. In the 2015–16 season, it was the home of the Danville RiverHawks of the Premier Basketball League.
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