Alaska Airlines Center

The Alaska Airlines Center (AAC) is located on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in the University-Medical (U-Med) District of Anchorage, about four miles southeast of downtown. The sports arena was a collaborative design of Hastings and Chivetta of St. Louis (who specialize in campus architecture) and McCool Carlson Green Architects. Completed in 2014 by Cornerstone Construction, the AAC was the final large-scale construction project built on the UAA campus over what was a twenty-year period of expansion, dating back to the mid-to-late 1990s. The AAC is home to many university and community sporting events and also serves as an entertainment venue for the greater Anchorage area.  

Alaska Airlines, an airline based in Seattle, Washington, but with a long history of service in Alaska, purchased the naming rights for the arena at the time of its opening. The Alaska legislature first approved funding to cover a portion of the arena's cost. Alaska voters approved a bond issue to cover additional expenses. Although the initial cost estimate for the arena was around $90 million, the final price came to $109 million. The arena is 196,000 square feet and has an impressive grey zinc panel exterior, reinforced by concrete. The use of zinc was notable as it is not a commonly used building material in Alaska. The zinc siding, particularly durable, is well suited to Anchorage's subarctic climate. The silver color recalls an unfinished aircraft, an homage to the unique role that flight has played in Alaska's history. Large glass windows provide the arena with an airy feel and allow natural light from the south to flow more freely into the building. The roof is curved in such a way as to prevent the accumulation of snow, a heavy substance that has caused problems atop domed structures elsewhere in Anchorage. The primary north and south entrances connect to one another through an open concourse that displays the university's academic trophies and commemorative banners. Refreshments and bathrooms are conveniently located on this concourse, easily wide enough to allow visitors to make their way to their seats unimpeded, even during well-attended events.  

The main seating bowl of the Airlines Center includes up to 5,400 seats that are situated around a playing surface or stage. The upper-level seating is steeper than the main seating bowl; this provides a more intimate space to view games and performances. The AAC is also equipped with an 800-seat auxiliary gym, a state-of-the-art sports medicine suite, an indoor two-lane walking and jogging track that rings around the upper deck of the seating bowl, a gymnastics training area, a competition gym, and a separate training and strength conditioning facility. The Varsity Sports Grill, a cafe that serves lunch and dinner along with local beers and wine is located on the upper level and looks over the arena's playing surface. Parking for the AAC also accommodates visitors and patients who are going to Providence Medical Central, Alaska's largest hospital and medical facility, located adjacent to the arena and the university. 

The AAC has received recognition for its design features since its completion. The AAC received honorable mention in College Planning & Management Magazine’s Educational Design Showcase in 2017, the Len Mackler Award, and an award for Merit in design. The AAC sustained limited damage during the November 30, 2018 earthquake. The gymnasium flooded when several pipes ruptured amid the quake. There was also limited damage to some trophy and display cases in the arena's concourse. The University of Alaska has sustained significant budget cuts between 2015 and 2020, leaving the future of athletics in question. Still, the AAC will remain a fixture in Anchorage as a venue for sports and entertainment. 

The sporting events that regularly occur within the center include men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, and women’s volleyball. In addition to its primary role as a sports venue, the AAC hosts many of the performers who travel to Southcentral Alaska. The AAC connects students and faculty with the local community through its showcase of athletics and performances. Some of the past performers include comedians such as Kevin Hart and Howie Mandel; musical acts to have played at the AAC include the classic rock group, Mötley Crüe, and Portugal. The Man, a Grammy-award-winning rock group with roots in Alaska. The AAC also hosted the Great Alaskan Shootout, a collegiate basketball tournament, for its final years between 2014 and 2017. The arena has also hosted events associated with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics. It also hosts commencement ceremonies for graduates of the University of Alaska Anchorage.