The Mellon Arena (formerly known as the Civic Arena) is a unique shape, and the Penguins need their igloo. The retractable roof made viewing the sky possible for the Civic Light Opera performances and such things. I hope they reproduce those features in the new arena.
2007-03-13 13:17:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
Sorry but all that stuff is so 60s and 70s and everyone must make way for new technology. It served its purpose and I must admit, it lasted longer than I or most anyone would have predicted. Let's just hope the new arena is as unique and lasts as long. The Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh deserve a first class and state-of-the-art facility that they can be proud of. Go Pens and go Pittsburgh!
2007-03-13 22:33:37 · answer #1 · answered by P.I. Stingray 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They will just do away with the design. It is the oldest rink in the NHL and technology has improved for a better design. Might still get nicknamed the Igloo but that is because Penguins and Igloo go hand in hand. The new rink will be able to seat another 3 or 4,000 hockey fans and while the Mellon arena was unique, it had plenty of drawbacks-the roof was no longer functionable and it has poor acoustics. I am sure the new rink will have plenty of other things-like concerts so they will build one of these standard type of new age rinks. I have been to about 15 or 16 of the new NHL rinks and for the most part, they are the same.
Something I just thought of-with a new rink, how far off can an NBA team be locating there. Soon I would think.
2007-03-13 20:31:30 · answer #2 · answered by Bob Loblaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The people above had it correct, they won't do much to keep any of the features of the Mellon Arena in tact. It was never designed to be a facility to hold sports, and with a new design it will hold more fans, and hopefully have better acoustics. Anyone who has ever seen a concert there can attest to the fact that the sound quality was bad.
Also, the roof still opens quite easily. Two or maybe three years ago, there was an article in the Pittsburgh City Paper about the retractable roof. They said it is still functional with no problem, but they dont have much reason to open it now.
Im looking forward to what the new arena is going to be like.
2007-03-14 16:08:54 · answer #3 · answered by silent9982 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, no. The Penguins are getting an entirely new building across the street from the Mellon Arena. I really hope that they don't tear it down either; it's a National Landmark! I used to pass it everyday on my way to school and it would be a shame to see it go.
And you're right - the shape is very unique and I can happily say that I was at a concert in 1986 when the roof of the arena was opened for the last time. I was in 1st grade and I still remember how amazing it was to be sitting underneath the stars.
As I was listening to the Versus commentators talking with Mario Lemieux in between periods, the thought was that the new design could bring a little of the "old tyme hockey" back.
Can't wait to attend my first game in the new arena!!
Let's Go Pens!!! Suck it Sabres!!!
2007-03-14 00:36:09 · answer #4 · answered by Pens4Ever 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they should nearly replicate the Mellon Arena. It's uniqueness made it special. The Pittsburgh area has done well with the most beautiful baseball park in MLB, and the Heinz Stadium for the Steelers is excellent. Now isn't the time to make a cookie cutter arena for the Penguins, concerts, etc.
Oh, I almost forgot--Go Penguins, Beat 'Em Bucs and Go Steelers!!!!
2007-03-14 21:26:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, completely new building
"Even as negotiators were working on a final deal, the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority has fallen behind schedule in demolishing 11 buildings in the Fifth and Centre Avenue corridors in Uptown for the new arena"
2007-03-13 21:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by Justin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no. i think its going to be completely different. whcih i am not very crazy aout bc i love the mellon arena. ser. i would go there for three hours for a game rather tahn go on vacation.
ohh well though i hope it still has the same feel in the new arena.
2007-03-16 17:59:10 · answer #7 · answered by LISA C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a chance. To open the roof, the center ice scoreboard needed to be taken down and the arena is old and dilapidated anyway.
2007-03-13 20:27:06 · answer #8 · answered by Reno M 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they might in the future but not at this time
2007-03-17 13:22:43 · answer #9 · answered by jerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably
2007-03-13 20:21:56 · answer #10 · answered by Nolan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋