Bojangles Coliseum Roof Leak Disrupts Checkers Game as Charlotte Council Nears Renovation Discussions
Roof leak forces last-minute schedule change at a 70-year-old city-owned venue
A roof leak at Bojangles Coliseum in east Charlotte disrupted operations on Sunday, prompting the Charlotte Checkers to reschedule their home game against the Hartford Wolf Pack to Monday at noon. Fans were already in the building when the change was announced, and trash cans were placed to catch rainwater inside the venue.
Workers were visible on the roof Monday morning as repairs were underway. The rescheduled game proceeded without further facility issues, and the Checkers won 9–0.
Who operates the building, and who pays for fixes remains unresolved
Bojangles Coliseum is owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), which is responsible for day-to-day facility maintenance. After the weekend leak, the CRVA began evaluating the source and circumstances of the water intrusion and is leading the immediate response to keep the facility safe and operational.
As of this week, it remained unclear who will bear the cost of repairs tied to the leak. The CRVA indicated the situation was still being assessed as the evaluation continued.
Leak lands ahead of expected City Council discussions on long-term upgrades
The incident comes as Charlotte City Council is expected to take up renovation planning for Bojangles Coliseum in the near term. City leaders were previously slated to receive a briefing during the council’s budget retreat, but discussions are now expected as soon as two weeks from the leak.
City officials said the City and CRVA have ongoing conversations about long-term capital planning and possible future improvements. Any major work would proceed through the city’s standard council processes.
Recent renovation history and what the city is saying now
The most recent renovation project at the coliseum was completed in 2020 and included construction of a 35,000-square-foot connector facility between Bojangles Coliseum and the adjacent Ovens Auditorium. The addition expanded hospitality space, increased restroom capacity, and added other operational improvements, effectively unifying the venues as a single entertainment complex.
In the city’s statement following the leak, officials said a roof replacement is not anticipated as part of a future city-led effort at this time.
Key facts at a glance
- Bojangles Coliseum opened in 1955 and is a city-owned facility in east Charlotte.
- A roof leak on Sunday led to postponement of a Checkers game until Monday at noon.
- CRVA, as operator, is evaluating the leak and leading necessary repairs.
- City Council is expected to discuss renovation planning in the coming weeks.
- The most recent major renovation was completed in 2020, centered on a 35,000-square-foot connector to Ovens Auditorium.
City officials said the operator is addressing the leak, while longer-term capital planning and potential improvements remain under discussion.