Multipurpose Arena in Built in Just Two Years

A NEW multipurpose sports venue has opened to the public in Milwaukee this summer.

Called the Fiserv Forum, the 17,500 seat arena will be the home of NBA team the Milwaukee Bucks and its completion is a key milestone in the revitalisation of the city's downtown area.

Designed by stadium specialist Populous, the new, USD $524 million venue features a flexible layout that can also be used for ice hockey games and concerts.

Above: The new Fiserv Forum was built next to Milwaukee Bucks' former home, the Bradley Center (image courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks).

The need for a new stadium became apparent in 2013, after an NBA official announced that the Bucks' former home, the BMO Harris Bradley Center, could no longer meet today's space standards and did not offer enough visitor amenities.

Above: The 17,500 seat arena will host basketball and ice-hockey matches, as well as concerts and other events (image courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks).

In 2014, a deal was struck transferring the ownership of the basketball team to a New York-based hedge fund, with the new and old owners deciding to donate USD $200 million towards the construction of a new arena.

Above: The new arena was built in two years (image courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks).

The remaining funds were provided by the State of Wisconsin in order to retain the team's presence.

Construction began in June 2016 and the scheme completed in June 2018; the official opening ceremony of the Fiserv Forum was held on 28 August.

The Bradley Centre, located opposite the new venue, had been used for all sporting and other events until then. It is set to be demolished next year.