CIVIC / MELLON ARENA

 

 
   Since their inception in 1967, the Penguins have played their home games in a building nicknamed "The Igloo" - originally known as the Civic Arena and renamed Mellon Arena on December 20, 1999 after the formation of a long-term partnership with Mellon Financial Corp. (currently Bank of New York Mellon).
   Originally built for the Civic Light Opera in 1961, the arena quickly evolved into a site for sporting events and concerts. It was home to the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League, as well as Duquesne University basketball and a series of pro teams ranging from indoor soccer to world team tennis. The Pittsburgh Pipers and Pittsburgh Condors of the old American Basketball Association also called it home in the 1960's and 1970's.
   Hockey seating capacity originally was only 12,580 when the Penguins were born in 1967, but a series of expansions and modernization programs over the past three decades have increased the capacity to its current 16,940.
   The Penguins are Mellon Arena's anchor tenant and feature attraction, playing more than 40 home games each season.
   During its lifetime, the arena has hosted the Stanley Cup Final four times (1991, 1992, 2008 and 2009), the NHL All-Star Game (1990), the NHL Entry Draft (1997), the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, the Harlem Globetrotters, professional wrestling, ice skating and gymnastics competitions and popular acts as far back as The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
   Featuring a retractable stainless steel roof, the arena was financed by a combination of public and private funds, including outright grants from the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and Edgar Kaufmann. The Sports & Exhibition Authority oversees Mellon Arena on behalf of the City and County. The Regional Asset District (RAD) also has provided funding.
   The arena, now in its 47th year of operation, is the oldest facility in the National Hockey League - but there is a new building on the horizon. In March, 2007, Penguins officials reached an agreement with city, county and state leaders on a funding plan for a new arena that will be located across the street from the current site. Ground was broken on August 14, 2008 and the new arena is scheduled to open at the start of the 2010-11 NHL season.

CONSOL ENERGY CENTER

   On December 18, 2008, CONSOL Energy, Inc. and the Pittsburgh Penguins announced a 21-year deal for naming rights to the new Pittsburgh multi-purpose arena.

   Consol Energy Center will be home to the Pittsburgh Penguins and is scheduled to open in time for the 2010-11 National Hockey League season. The facility will also serve as a centerpiece for year-round entertainment in the region, including world-class concerts, family shows and a wide variety of other events.

   In addition to keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the new facility will also be an economic generator for the region. Consol Energy Center has already created construction jobs and due to the improved performance space, seating and technology it is anticipated to attract more events and spur development.

   The new, state-of-the-art facility is expected to attract more shows and events because of improved performance space, seating and technology. Consol Energy Center will seat 18,087 fans for hockey games, approximately 1,100 more than Mellon Arena. The development will also include a 500-car parking garage, surface parking lot and event staging area.
   On August 14, 2008, the ceremonial groundbreaking took place at the future site of "center ice" of the Consol Energy Center, which is being built across the street from Mellon Arena between Centre and Fifth avenues.