the Sports Arena.
At this meeting the question of the proper seating capacity arose. The president of the Fort Wayne Federation of Labor, E. Robert Leach, speaking for his organization, advocated fifteen thousand seats to accommodate Fort Wayne’s anticipated population growth. But the business manager of the Zollner teams, Carl Bennett, expressed the opinion, based on his individual experience, that a far smaller capacity would suffice. If the capacity should consistently prove greater than the need, the Coliseum would burden the taxpayers for maintenance costs. On the other hand, the Coliseum should be adequate in size to accommodate larger audiences as the population increased over the years. In order to ensure the most authoritative professional opinion, the commissioners consulted the New Buildings Consulting Board of the International Association of Auditorium Managers. After conferring with that board the commissioners agreed on a capacity of ten thousand. Judging from past attendance records in Fort Wayne, it was decided that this size would be more than adequate for most events but would not create an extravagant community white elephant. The Memorial Hall was also discussed during this time. The War Memorial Commission appointed a committee of five clergymen to work with the architect in planning this important room. It was to be impressive and dignified.
The War Memorial Act provides that the Coliseum shall be supervised by a five-man board of which no more than three members may be affiliated with the same political party. The board members shall serve without remuneration. Appointed for a four-year term, they may be re-appointed at the end of that period. The terms are staggered so that all do not expire in any one year. Three members shall be appointed by the county commissioners; two by the circuit judge. The original board, appointed in June, 1949, consisted of Otto H. Adams, James R. Fleming, Chester V. Kimmell, Ramon S. Perry, and Alfred L. Randall. It was the responsibility of the board to supervise the construction and the operation of the building.
In December, 1949, the general construction contract was awarded to the Hagerman Construction Company, who submitted the low bid of $1,959,921. Bids were also accepted for the heating and plumbing, electricity, seating, sewerage, ice floor and refrigeration, and lockers. In each case the low bid was accepted, and the aggregate amount was under the three million dollar limit. All the awards were made tentatively, pending the issuance of bonds.
In January, 1950, the commissioners announced that the bid of the Chicago National Bank had been accepted for the bond issue. The bank formed a syndicate with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Beane; the Mercantile Commerce Bank and Trust Company; Harris Hall and Company, Incorporated; and the Fletcher Trust Company. A representative of the Chicago banking house said that the excellent credit and tax collection record of Allen County made the $27,445 premium possible. The interest rate is 1½ per cent.
At long last the finances were arranged, the architect’s plans were approved, and the contracts were awarded; now construction could begin. On January 24, 1950, just three weeks after the bond issue had been floated, the ground-breaking ceremony took place. Chester V. Kimmel, then chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Coliseum, presided. All county commissioners and trustees were present, and representatives of various veterans and civic organizations attended. The cornerstone was laid in November, 1951. In the spring of 1952, the massive structure was nearly completed. On Memorial Day the Allen County Council of Veterans Organizations held a flag-raising ceremony to mark the initiation of the final phase of construction.
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees began the arduous task of compiling complete and accurate lists of the deceased in order that the names might be inscribed on the plaques in the Memorial Hall. No official list was available. Otto H. Adams, the secretary of the Board of Trustees, searched the records of the War Department and the veterans organizations. The completed list was published in both Fort Wayne newspapers; relatives and friends were earnestly requested to notify the board of any corrections or omissions. The roll of honor listed the names of 643 men and women. The total has since been increased by the casualties of the Korean conflict.
the entrance to the Memorial Hall.
The Board of Trustees had the responsibility of choosing a manager for the Coliseum. The duties of the manager were to include the administration and operation of the building, the supervision of personnel, and the scheduling of events. The choice fell upon Don Myers, who had been a most active promoter of the Coliseum since its inception. The NEWS SENTINEL published an editorial commending the choice and praising Mr. Myers: “When others insisted that it probably could not be done, he kept insisting that it could be done and that he for one wasn’t going to give up trying. He didn’t. He kept talking about the Memorial Coliseum night and day, week in and week out.” Mr. Myers has proved an able manager; his work has won him recognition in his profession, and he was awarded the trophy at the Auditorium Operators Convention for his outstanding record during the 1952-53 season.