The Inaugural Downtown Classic, featuring southern Colorado rivals UCCS and Colorado State University-Pueblo, will open the 2013 programming for the historic Colorado Springs City Auditorium on Jan. 5.

The basketball doubleheader will raise funds for the redevelopment of the structure on the corner of Kiowa and Weber in cooperation with the Downtown Partnership.

“We’re excited to join the Downtown Partnership in creating a unique opportunity and atmosphere for our student-athletes and fans,” said Steve Kirkham, director, Athletics. “This is a terrific chance to be a part of restoring this historic facility for the long-term future of downtown Colorado Springs.”

The women’s game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s game to follow at 7:30 p.m. The game is part of the Steel & Silver Series between UCCS and CSU-Pueblo, and will include the presentation of the trophy from 2011-12 to the administration of UCCS for a seventh consecutive year.

“We’re thrilled to bring a contest like this downtown to the City Auditorium and to showcase the building,” said Hannah Parsons, interim director, Downtown Partnership. “We’re expecting a great game and looking forward to renovating and better using this historic space.”

The auditorium will be converted in the week leading up to the Downtown Classic into a regulation basketball facility. All of the funds raised from the event, including ticket sales and sponsorships, will be directed to the redevelopment of the venue.

The Colorado Springs City Auditorium opened in 1922 after a general election vote in 1921 approved a $390,000 bond measure. The Strategic Plan for the Revitalization of the City Auditorium has identified the most needed upgrades to the facility to enhance the future use of the building and establish it as a viable public events venue in downtown Colorado Springs.