Located in the heart of Flint, Michigan, the Dort Financial Center has been a cornerstone of entertainment, sports, and community gatherings in Flint and Genesee County for more than five decades. The facility opened in October 1969 as the IMA Sports Arena, constructed by the Industrial Mutual Association (IMA).
The Nilsen Era
A significant new chapter in the facility’s history began in December 2014, when Rolf Nilsen purchased the arena. A longtime businessman and lifelong hockey enthusiast, Nilsen saw an opportunity to revitalize the facility while bringing high-level hockey back to Flint.
Following his purchase, Nilsen made significant investments in the arena. During his first year of ownership, more than $4 million was invested in improvements, including new hockey boards and glass, a high-definition center-ice scoreboard, LED lighting, and a new professional-style locker room, player lounge, video theater, and weight room for the Flint Firebirds. Additional improvements over the years have included upgrades to the second arena, renovated suites and the Blue Line Club, upgraded video technology, and improvements throughout the facility.
Nilsen also played a major role in bringing Ontario Hockey League hockey to Flint. After purchasing the arena, he pursued an OHL franchise, and the relocation of the Plymouth Whalers to Flint was approved by the OHL Board of Governors on June 16, 2015. The franchise became the Flint Firebirds and began play during the 2015–16 season.
Today, the Firebirds remain the anchor tenant of the Dort Financial Center. Nilsen’s ownership group also operated Flint Iceland Arenas, which was recently sold. His investment has helped modernize the arena while preserving its role as a gathering place for Flint and the Mid-Michigan community.
The Early Years
When the IMA Sports Arena opened in 1969, it was considered one of the finest and best-equipped ice facilities in North America. The complex was originally built with two sheets of ice and has continually evolved to meet the needs of the community. The secondary arena was converted to artificial turf in 2006 and has hosted a variety of field sports, while the facility as a whole has accommodated hockey, basketball, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, conventions, trade shows, and other events.
The arena’s reputation was recognized early on, with hockey legend Gordie Howe and 1964 Olympic gold medalist Terry McDermott both praising the facility’s design and capabilities.
In 1979, the IMA gifted the facility to the City of Flint, which operated the arena until its sale in 2002. In 2003, the facility became Perani Arena and Event Center following the acquisition of its naming rights by Perani’s Hockeyworld. In July 2015, Dort Federal Credit Union acquired naming rights, and the facility became the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center. The venue was renamed the Dort Financial Center on September 16, 2020, following the credit union’s rebranding.
A Home for Hockey
Professional hockey has been part of the arena’s identity since its opening in 1969, creating a tradition that has continued across multiple generations of Flint teams. The original Flint Generals began play at the arena that year, beginning a tradition that would continue through the Flint Spirits, Flint Bulldogs, later generations of the Flint Generals, Michigan Warriors, and eventually the Flint Firebirds.
The facility has also hosted teams including the Flint Fuze, Flint Flames, Flint Phantoms, Flint Monarchs, and Flint United across basketball and indoor football.
A Stage for Legendary Entertainment
The Dort Financial Center has welcomed some of the biggest names in music and entertainment throughout its history. Legendary performers including Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Rush, Santana, James Brown, Deep Purple, Grand Funk Railroad, Styx, KISS, Journey, Lil Wayne, Korn, Ted Nugent, Theory of a Deadman, Skillet, Halestorm, Puddle of Mudd, Seether, 10 Years, All That Remains, and Red have taken the stage at the facility.
The venue has also hosted nationally recognized organizations and productions such as WWE, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Sesame Street Live.
A Gathering Place for the Community
Beyond sports and entertainment, the arena has served as an important gathering place for the Flint community. For decades, it has hosted graduations, fundraisers, conventions, trade shows, family shows, and annual traditions including the Flint Shrine Circus, MARVAC RV & Camper Show, Chrome and Ice, Really Cool Comic Con, WXC, and the Mid-Michigan State Wrestling Meet.
Today, the Dort Financial Center is Genesee County’s largest event center, featuring two versatile arenas. Arena 1 offers seating for approximately 4,000 guests for hockey and up to 6,500 for concerts, while Arena 2 features 27,206 square feet of flexible event space for trade shows, conventions, sporting events, and other gatherings.
From its beginnings as the IMA Sports Arena in 1969 to its current role as the Dort Financial Center, the facility has remained a gathering place for Flint and Mid-Michigan—creating memories and hosting generations of fans, athletes, performers, students, and families.