Pittsburgh Civic Arena Roof Open

Spectators watch a pittsburgh triangles tennis match under the open roof of the civic arena in 1975.

Pittsburgh civic arena roof open.

The building was constructed in 1961 for use by the pittsburgh civic light opera at a cost of 22 million which would equal 171 million in 2012 dollars. The civic arena opened on september 17 1961 with a symphonic concert by members of the pittsburgh symphony. The civic arena formerly the civic auditorium and later mellon arena was an arena located in downtown pittsburgh pennsylvania the civic arena primarily served as the home to the pittsburgh penguins the city s national hockey league nhl franchise from 1967 to 2010. It s maximum opening would be about 75 open with the roof leaves under the support arm.

It was opened for the arena s first act an ice capades show on sept. Opening the roof would be a fitting end for the building. 19 1961 but then closed after 22 minutes because of fears that the. Constructed in 1961 for use by the pittsburgh civic light opera clo it was the brainchild of department store owner.

It was crazy looking to me since it drastically changed the appearance of the arena. 66 mario lemieux place at sunset. The hydraulic jacks never functioned properly so the roof was kept permanently closed after 1994. After an extended run of the ice capades and the pittsburgh home show the first ever pop.

It was a sellout. You could see the orange upper seats from outside. Images of the civic arena with the retractable roof open in 1964 left and 1974. Its roof which was supported by a 260 foot long cantilevered arm.