The Colisée in Lewiston, seen in 2018, was put on the market Wednesday for $4.9 million. Reached early Friday, city staff said they were unaware of the listing, and were attempting to obtain more information. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — The Colisée, one of the city’s most storied buildings, is on the market for $4.9 million.

The 54,547-square-foot arena, most famous for hosting the Ali-Liston heavyweight bout in 1965, has also played a central role in Lewiston’s long ice hockey tradition.

The property was listed by SVN the Masiello Group on Wednesday, stating the proposed sale includes 9.47 acres, made up of the arena, newly built accommodations for more than 50 hockey athletes and coaches, and a preengineered utility building.

The Colisée, at 190 Birch St., is the home of the Maine Nordiques NAHL hockey team and the former home of the Nordiques Academy for student-age elite players, which is now based in Greer, South Carolina.

The Colisée in Lewiston, seen Friday, was listed on the market Wednesday for $4.9 million. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

The property has been owned by former Nordiques owner Darryn Antonacci since 2020, when he purchased the building from longtime owners Firland Management.

Last year, Antonacci transferred ownership of the Nordiques franchise to Shift Sports & Entertainment but retained ownership of The Colisée and the Nordiques Academy organization.

He told the Sun Journal last year that he “accomplished his objective” of renovating The Colisée, which included a replay system and scoreboard and a bar at the top level of the arena. The arena was built in 1959.

At the time of the sale, Shift Sports & Entertainment was also slated to be in charge of bringing other events to The Colisée.

The city’s property record for 190 Birch St. still lists Firland Management as the owner, and assesses the property at $1.79 million.

According to city records, the property sold in 2008 for $1 million.

Reached early Friday, city staff said they were unaware of the listing, and were attempting to obtain more information.

The listing from SVN the Masiello Group states the capacity is 3,000, with parking for 500 vehicles.

“In addition to providing an ice surface, it can host various events such as concerts and tradeshows,” the listing states.

In 2021, the owners built dormitories and bathrooms at the property in modified cargo containers for Nordiques Academy student athletes.

Mayor Carl Sheline, who often attends Maine Nordiques games, said Friday that The Colisée “matters a lot to Lewiston in terms of economic potential.”

“The Nordiques played really well this past season and that definitely drove ticket sales resulting in a positive economic impact on our city,” he said. “Whatever happens with this sale, we have a vested interest in making The Colisée a success.”