WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- The D.C. Armory arena will host its second major sporting event in 10 years when a night of ESPN-aired boxing matches takes place at the 60-year-old facility.
The bouts Friday at the D.C. Armory will likely be viewed as unexceptional but symbolically, the event marks a turning point for the future of the facility, The Washington Times reported.
Washington's sports commission plans to spend around $10 million to remodel the 10,000-seat Armory into a full-time live sports venue, as well as hold other large events.
Similar events may include professional lacrosse games, volleyball games and both college and professional basketball games.
"The Armory is revenue-producing, but we feel like we can push that," said Allen Y. Lew, chief executive officer of the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission. "But we have to invest the money in it."
The Armory was built in 1941 as the headquarters of the D.C. National Guard, which used the facility's 64,000-square-foot main hall for drills.
