Comments on: Centennial Hall deconstruction well under way

By: Kathi Booth

Kathi Booth — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:21:07 +0000

I remember filling the main room with students and families during the Martin Luther King celebrations.

By: Brian B

Brian B — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:28:54 +0000

I’m this really sad to see the old place go. I used to work the coat check at Chamber of Commerce events there along with the art club from Hayward High, and I was at a few of the Hayward-Con comic book conventions.

By: Michael Moore

Michael Moore — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:27:40 +0000

Eric, good of you to Lazarus this and provide new life to the problem of places for concerts. This explains why the Bal is having so many issues in San Leandro. Good job.

By: qodrn

qodrn — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:15:43 +0000

Karen wrote about everything.

By: Eric Kurhi

Eric Kurhi — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:03:53 +0000

I don’t suppose anyone else went to what I believe was the first and last metal (music) show at C-Hall, back in 1989? Turned into a near riot, my friend was punched in the face by some guy with no front teeth who was wearing a swastika T-shirt, windows got broken, HPD in riot gear busted it up and as we ran away, guys on top of the parking structure rained bottles down upon us. Karen Holzmeister wrote an article about it, check it out:
http://kaosamongus.com/staged/images/vault/article-b-01.jpg

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:34:02 +0000

I remember my first field trip was to the Rock & Gem show at Centennial Hall in 3rd grade. We walked from Markham School to there.

A few friends & I passed by the other day, feels differnet with nothing there.

By: Fred Sandsmark

Fred Sandsmark — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:24:50 +0000

Of all things, what I remember most are the protests that accompanied the first few Gay Proms held at Centennial Hall. I’m glad the fuss over that benign and big-hearted event has mostly faded away. I wonder where it will be held now.

I’ve gone to several events, from Chamber of Commerce gatherings to memorial services to dances to band rehearsals, at the Hall over the years; I’m sad to see it go, especially as it is one of the last remnants of Old Hayward High. I’m glad to know (through a previous HayWord) that the Wiley murals are safe.

P.S. Fun to learn that you’re from a newspaper family (by marriage), Eric. Your uncle-in-law is one of my favorites at the Chron.

By: qodrn

qodrn — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:07:20 +0000

I don’t know about memories although I enjoyed a number of shows there and rented out space. I still don’t understand why the building that broke duringthe earthquake is still standing and the old buildng that did just fine was torn down.

By: Eric Kurhi

Eric Kurhi — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:06:15 +0000

While we’re all feeling nostalgic, anyone else have any memories they want to share of the old Centennial Hall?