Pittsburgh Civic Arena Roof Open

19 1961 but then closed after 22 minutes because of fears that the.

Pittsburgh civic arena roof open.

You could see the orange upper seats from outside. After an extended run of the ice capades and the pittsburgh home show the first ever pop. Spectators watch a pittsburgh triangles tennis match under the open roof of the civic arena in 1975. 1964 the beatles played their only pittsburgh show at the civic arena.

It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world. 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 was opened for the arena s first act an ice capades show on sept. 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. It s maximum opening would be about 75 open with the roof leaves under the support arm.

Opening the roof would be a fitting end for the building. They opened it partway during god bless america before an arena football pittsburgh gladiators playoff game. It was crazy looking to me since it drastically changed the appearance of the arena. It was a sellout.