Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum — Attraction in Knoxville

The icebear team is a great group of guys and hockey players. Unfortunately, their home rink staff is less than sufficient. On more than one occasion we’ve had issues with the staff. We are not the kind of people to cause problems and are very respectful. However, on one occasion, my mother (who is a heart patient and stroke patient) had a heart attack at the facility - the staff couldn’t even react sufficiently enough to take her blood pressure. They insisted she lay down to wait for the ambulance to arrive. There was an ambulance on site, however, we were told that was for the players and couldn’t be used. Her lungs filled up with fluid. When the ambulance finally arrived, they didn’t know how to enter the building and it took them 15 minutes to get her in the vehicle. Then decided to stroll over to the hospital, no lights. When questioned, they responded with “this isn’t an emergency”. Luckily my dad was with to talk some sense into them because it was determined later that evening she had a heart attack and had fluid on her lungs. Luckily, mom survived. Fast forward a year later. 3/9/19. After the game, we were leaving the building, mom started up the stairs to use the restroom. We were stopped from helping her up the stairs because we had stepped out of the building (like directly out of the doors, right in front of the staff member). Despite our efforts to help mom up the stairs, staff members repeatedly told us we are not allowed back into the building and forced us to leave. Meanwhile, let another guys walk right through claiming he worked there — didn’t look like a staff member to me - no badge, no ID.

I try to make a few home games a month per season to support these guys; they work very hard to play the game we all love. I’m very disappointed in the morality decisions of the collesium staff on both occasions. That building isn’t safe. I’ve decided I won’t be back to an Icebears game. Sorry boys (Icebears) - We wish you all the luck in the world on...

I recently went to the Civic Auditorium to see a wrestling event. I hadn't been here in years as I live in Nashville. The first thing I noticed was that people who were coming for wrestling were required to walk completely around the building instead of entering the front entrance. This wasn't an issue early in the evening, but it became an issue when the show got out and there was a torrential downpour. Staff kept us inside but encouraged us to go out when it was still lightening because they wanted to clean.

The venue is intimate but not set up for an event where people stand. Ushers were confused about seating, seated people in the middle of matches which blocked views every five minutes or so. There were not many bathroom stalls and I saw none that were wheelchair accessible.

The wheelchair accessibility was a major issue. People who couldn't fit into their chairs on the balcony were not offered a metal chair despite there being plenty of places on the balcony where space was available. Security was there but did not mediate the crowd when people would go into the aisles and blocking the view of others. A group of four in the third row stood for 3 hours taping (copyright infringement) while the six rows behind them craned necks to see as did the 8 rows to their right. Ushers were useless.

My biggest issue was that there were two kids in wheelchairs which they placed 12 rows back. Every time thoughtless people stood in the middle of matches these kids couldn't see. Manners aren't the responsibility of the venue but if they don't put up signs or video wall requests to please not block the view of others, they share in the thoughtlessness of the crowd.

I loved the show and the intimacy of the venue. I didn't love missing half the show because of I'll educated ushers and lack of accessibility. I don't believe I...

Fix the AC! I re-read reviews going back years and this has been an issue for years. I purchased tickets for my wife and I to see the Knoxville Orchestra (who did an amazing job) do Harry Potter months ago. We paid to get a baby sitter, so we could have a date night, and much like this winter(see below) it was unbearably hot. My wife was so disappointed, as she’s a huge Potter fan. I was prepared to tough it out but she actually suggested we leave. Not enough bathrooms, no handrails upstairs, no elevator. This place is not ADA compliant. You should be absolutely embarrassed and ashamed of yourself.

The family and I went to see The Nutcracker, this was our second year attending. Last year was such a wonderful time, however this year was quite the opposite. Parking was a nightmare, there was evidently a comedy show in the other half of the building, of course there were no obvious signs differentiating the 2, and no staff to alert patrons. So, after waiting in line for 20 minutes, thankfully a group of patrons to the comedy show let us know there was another line for the other even around the corner. This ridiculous lack of communication by the venue caused us to be late, and once inside, staff was so overwhelmed there was nobody to direct us to our seats, in the dark, as the show had already started. The first 20 minutes after we finally got in were completely blocked by other patrons trying to find their seats. Clearly the start of the show should have been postponed. But hey, at least there was no AC… I know you can do better Knoxville Civic, I’ve...