TD Waterhouse Centre

Lore & Background

The arena opened on January 29, 1989, as Orlando Arena. It was built at a cost of $110 million, entirely publicly financed. In 1999, TD Waterhouse purchased the naming rights for $7.8 million for five years, renaming the building TD Waterhouse Centre. The naming rights expired on November 30, 2006, and after about a week as 'The arena in Orlando,' Amway became the new sponsor on December 7, 2006, renaming it Amway Arena. The arena was colloquially known as 'The O-Rena' during its entire lifetime.

In Their Own Story

The air inside is thick with humidity and anticipation as the house lights dim on a humid Florida night. Shaquille O'Neal steps onto the court, his shadow stretching across the polished hardwood under the bright arena lights. The crowd's murmur swells into a roar, echoing off the high ceilings that have witnessed so many dunks.

Reader's Guide

The arena originally seated 15,291, but seats were replaced with narrower ones between 1994 and 1995, increasing capacity to 17,519. It was voted 'Arena of the Year' by Performance Magazine in 1991. The arena's design provided an intimate atmosphere, with the upper and lower bowls split almost 50/50 and luxury suites near the ceiling. Defunct tenants included the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears, the SPHL's Orlando Seals, RHI's Orlando Jackals, MISL's Orlando Sharks, the WNBA's Orlando Miracle, and the NLL's Orlando Titans.

Did You Know?

• The arena was originally named Orlando Arena in 1988 by then-Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick.
• The naming rights with TD Waterhouse cost $7.8 million for five years.
• Amway paid $1.5 million over 4 years for the naming rights in 2006.
• The arena was demolished in 2012 after closing in 2010.

Origins and Strategic Construction

The creation of this downtown Orlando venue was driven by a long-standing municipal desire for a central entertainment hub, predating any NBA ambitions. By 1985, an agreement allowed construction to proceed without cannibalizing convention center revenue, though the site eventually expanded by fifty percent, consuming three additional blocks south of Lake Dot. The timeline accelerated dramatically in 1986 when city leaders realized that a building under construction was essential for securing an NBA franchise. Consequently, ground broke in January 1987, just four months before the league's final expansion decision. Completed in 1989 at a publicly financed cost of $110 million, the facility opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring local legends. Its design prioritized intimacy, splitting seating nearly equally between lower and upper bowls to keep spectators close to the action, a feature that earned it 'Arena of the Year' honors shortly after opening.

Naming Rights Evolution

Throughout its operational life, the venue was colloquially known as 'The O-Rena,' though its official identity shifted three times based on corporate sponsorship deals. Despite speculation that Amway would be chosen due to the team owner's connection, TD Waterhouse secured the five-year contract in 1999 for $7.8 million, renaming the facility the TD Waterhouse Centre. This arrangement ended in late 2006 when the financial firm's U.S. operations were sold and the new owners declined renewal. After a brief week of being referred to simply as 'The arena in Orlando,' Amway signed a four-year deal for $1.5 million, becoming the final sponsor before the building's closure. This contract also granted Amway an exclusive option to name the replacement facility, which eventually became the Amway Center.

Diverse Sports Tenancy

Beyond serving as the primary home for the NBA's Orlando Magic and the NLL's Orlando Titans, this arena hosted a wide array of professional teams across various leagues. It was the former residence of the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears, who folded alongside their league in 2001, and the WNBA's Orlando Miracle, which relocated to Connecticut after the 2002 season when ownership decided against retaining the franchise. The venue also sheltered several short-lived minor league entities, including the SPHL's Orlando Seals, who were evicted by the city in 2004 before eventually moving to Kissimmee and folding later. Other defunct tenants included the RHI's Orlando Jackals, the MISL's Orlando Sharks, which folded due to rent disputes, and the Titans, who ceased operations after a single season due to financial instability. This diverse roster of teams highlighted the arena's role as a critical hub for regional sports entertainment before its eventual demolition.

Design Limitations and Demise

Although the facility was built to NBA specifications in 1989, experts argued it was outdated from its inception because construction began just before luxury seating standards evolved. Despite strong attendance figures and a significant season ticket waiting list in the mid-1990s, these structural deficiencies became increasingly problematic as modern arenas introduced superior amenities. Ultimately, the inability to compete financially with newer venues led to its closure in 2010. The building was subsequently demolished in 2012, clearing the site for a modern replacement that would address these long-standing architectural and commercial shortcomings.