The Burton Coliseum, built in 1976, is located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The arena contains a domed roof and stands 105 feet from the floor to the top of the roof. It and other buildings in the Burton Complex serve many purposes. The coliseum has served as home to the McNeese State Cowboys and McNeese State Cowgirls basketball teams since 1986. In basketball configuration, the coliseum has a total seating capacity of 8,500 including 6,500-permanent seat multi-purpose arena and 2,000 in temporary seating arena].Additional uses for Burton Coliseum include rodeos, equestrian events, concerts (seating capacity up to 9,882), trade shows, and conventions. The coliseum is used for the Louisiana Region 5 Science & Engineering Fair every year. At each semester's end, McNeese State University hosts its graduation there. It is also used for graduations for some high schools in the area. It hosted the Southland Conference men's basketball tournament in 2002.Burton ComplexThe Burton Coliseum is one component of a multi-building fifty acre site. Buildings in the Burton Complex include the following: Burton Coliseum - The Chalkey Room - a banquet room in the coliseum.Burton Arena - A 50,000 sq ft building used for equestrian and rodeo eventsRV Park - 275 units with utilities The complex has been used for numerous events including education events, western events, McNeese State basketball and rodeo competition, high school tournaments, flea markets, and livestock shows. Around 200 events are held at the complex each year.
