Charlotte City Council to weigh $25 million package for critical repairs at Bojangles Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium

Proposal focuses on building systems after recent disruptions at the city-owned entertainment complex

Charlotte City Council is expected to consider a $25 million allocation for what city administrators describe as “critical needs” at Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium, two adjacent, city-owned venues on Independence Boulevard that anchor the Bojangles Entertainment Complex.

The request centers on building condition and reliability improvements, with the proposed spending directed largely toward heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades. The venues, which opened in 1955, host a mix of sports and entertainment events and are managed as part of Charlotte’s publicly owned tourism and event infrastructure.

Roof leaks and event impacts raise urgency

The funding discussion comes amid recent operational issues at Bojangles Coliseum. In late February, the venue experienced roof leaks that affected scheduled activity, including disruptions tied to a national curling event staged at the facility. City leaders have been briefed that multiple leaks have occurred over a short period, heightening attention on deferred maintenance and the risk of additional event interruptions.

While roof conditions and HVAC systems are separate building components, facility managers typically treat both as part of a broader “state of good repair” picture that can influence year-round scheduling, tenant confidence, and the cost of keeping older venues functional.

Part of a broader wave of public-venue reinvestment

The contemplated package at Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium would arrive as Charlotte weighs and advances multiple capital projects tied to city-owned visitor and event assets. In the past year, city leaders have considered and approved significant renovation funding for other major venues, reflecting the continuing role of tourism-related facilities in the city’s economic development strategy.

In that context, the proposed $25 million for Bojangles and Ovens is positioned as a near-term, needs-based investment rather than a comprehensive redevelopment. Previous planning work has explored options to extend the useful life of the two buildings for decades, but a full scope, schedule, and total cost for long-range modernization has not been finalized publicly alongside this request.

Key points council is expected to evaluate

• Whether the proposed HVAC and related “critical needs” work is sufficient to stabilize operations in the near term.
• How the repair package fits into the city’s broader capital priorities and ongoing budget cycle.
• Whether additional funding requests are likely as building assessments continue and as maintenance needs are fully quantified.

The decision before council is framed as an investment to address immediate, high-priority facility needs while the city continues evaluating longer-term options for the aging complex.

City Council’s action, if approved, would set the next phase of work aimed at improving reliability at two of Charlotte’s longest-running performance and sports venues.