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Perani Arena and Event Center, originally known as the IMA Sports Arena, opened in 1969, and was constructed by the Industrial Mutual Association (IMA). The arena was ahead of its time and considered by many to be the finest and best equipped ice arena in North America. The legendary Gordie Howe once commented on the arena, “We are proud of our Gordie Howe Hockeyland Ice Arena but definitely would trade it for the IMA Sports Arena.” U.S. Speed Skating Champion and 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist Terry McDermott said after visiting the arena, “The IMA Sports Arena complex is the most complete ice arena that I have ever seen.”
In December of 1979, the IMA gave the arena to the City of Flint as a gift. The City of Flint owned and operated the facility until 2000 when they contracted with Sunshine Management, Inc. to operate the facility under a lease agreement. In September 2002, the City of Flint sold the arena to K.M.S Properties, L.L.C, an entity owned by Dr. Khaled Shukairy, who also owns and operates Sunshine Management, Inc. In September 2003, the naming rights to the arena were sold to Perani’s Hockeyworld, and the IMA Sports Arena was renamed Perani Arena and Event Center.
Professional sports have been associated with the facility since the beginning.
The arena has been home to professional hockey since the inception of the original Generals, of the International Hockey League in 1969. The facility has also been home to a professional basketball team, the Flint Fuze of the Continental Basketball Association and a professional arena football team, the Flint Flames of the Indoor Football League.
Perani Arena and Event Center continues to bring quality entertainment to Genesee County. The arena hosts a wide variety of sporting events, children’s shows, expos, trade shows and graduations. Annual events held at the arena include the Flint Shrine Circus, Flint Home Builders and Garden Show, Flint Journal Women’s Expo, and the Flint Camper and RV Show.
Driving Instructions:
From I-69 Eastbound: East on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139.
South (right) on Center 1/4 mile to Lapeer Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile
to arena. The arena is on the north (right) side of the road. Parking entrance
is on the east side of the building.
From I-69 Westbound: West on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139.
South (left) on Center 3/4 mile to Lapeer Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile
to arena. The arena is on the north (right) side of the road. Parking entrance
is on the east side of the building.
From US-23 Northbound (south of I-69): North on US-23 to I-69
East exit 117A. East on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139. South on Center 1/4 mile
to Lapeer Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile to arena. The arena is on the
north (right) side of the road. Parking entrance is on the east side of the
building.
From US-23 Southbound (north of I-69): South on US-23 to I-69
East exit 117A. East on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139. South on Center 1/4 mile
to Lapeer Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile to arena. The arena is on the
north (right) side of the road. Parking entrance is on the east side of the
building.
From I-75 Northbound (south of I-69): North on I-75 to I-475
North. North on I-475 to I-69 East. East on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139. South
on Center 1/4 mile to Lapeer Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile to arena.
The arena is on the north (right) side of the road. Parking entrance is on
the east side of the building.
From I-75 Southbound (north of I-69): South on I-75 to I-69
East. East on I-69 to Center Rd. exit 139. South on Center 1/4 mile to Lapeer
Rd. West (right) on Lapeer 3/4 mile to arena. The arena is on the north (right)
side of the road. Parking entrance is on the east side of the building.
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