Pittsburgh Penguins break ground on new arena

by FrankD on Aug 14, 2008 2:48 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

With shovels in hand, Mario Lemieux as his management staff initiated the first official dig on the site of the upcoming arena slated for Fall 2010. The Penguins put up some really solid pics on their site of what the new house will look like, along with some video and commentary from Lemieux and Co.

Also, if you haven't done so already, vote for your favorite jersey. Thanks to Dunman for the contribution.

Read on for more...

The "real" reason for the construction, per the commentary from Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell.

“I am delighted to be a part of this historic event,” said Rendell. “Construction of this new multi-purpose arena will provide immediate economic stimulus by creating construction jobs, but more importantly, this arena will benefit residents for decades to come. In addition to keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the arena will attract more shows and events because of improved performance space, seating and technology.”

And I can't lie, I got a little chuckle out of the last line in the article.

HOK Sport is the architect for the project and PJ Dick/Hunt Construction JV is the construction manager.

Maybe that's a new game for Wii where you hold a flash gun at the screen and shoot...well, never mind.

Pretty good article here from The Trib-Review highlighting the notion that Mellon Arena artifacts may go on sale to the public after the construction is complete and finalized on the new arena.

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely considering how much a set of Mellon Arena seats may go for. It'd look great in front of my TV on game night. Maybe I can hire the cotton candy and popcorn guy to walk up and down my hallway.

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Arena

The pictures of what the new Arena should look like are pretty impressive. It looks like it will be a great building for the Pens to play in. I have to say, when they had that deal offer to play in the Sprint Center in KC, I thought the Pens were out of Pittsburgh for sure.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 14, 2008 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eh, Kansas City is always a rumored destination for hockey clubs. There and Las Vegas. My friend brought home a Penguins jersey for me from Canada when he took a trip back home and when he crossed borders the guard, checking the bags, came across the jersey and said, “Is this yours?” My friend quickly replied, “Hell no, I’m a Leafs fan.” To which the guard said, “well, at least they’re staying in Toronto.” Then he laughed, pointed to another guard and said, “Check out this guy’s jersey.”

Practically every team of every sport at least at some point runs a chance of being the laughing spot of their respected league, especially those with strict salary caps like hockey. Football has the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, baseball has the Pirates and Royals, hockey has Phoenix and the Atlanta Thrashers and basketball has the newly acclaimed Oklahoma City Thunder. Plenty of people laughed at Pitt, but within the span of three years, a new arena was announced, a new set of stars were born and a championship was just within grasp. Not bad for a team everyone laughed at in 2003, 04, and 05.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Aug 14, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could have been the Las Vegas Hustlers.

The thought of moving a franchise to such places always causes anger. Neither Kansas City nor Las Vegas are exactly hockey hot beds. You want to move a team? Take them back to Winnipeg or Hartford. Don’t act like you don’t miss the Whale.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Aug 15, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely, great story.

The thing was that the arena in KC was already built. And, they were offering a favorable lease deal.

Anyway, I’m glad the Pens stayed.

I live in in Atlanta, so I know about the Thrashers. They worked so hard just to be a playoff team, but then they let go of all of the players that put them over the top. Their ownership group doesn’t seem very smart.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 15, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look at how the Blackhawks have turned around as of late. While I’m not saying a higher-up needs to die to solve a team’s problems, but Chicago has shown life for the first time in…well, a while.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hossa, but I'm afraid we can't be friends anymore. Why? Because I hate you.

by JDunman on Aug 15, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. That also ties in with their former owners approach to broadcasting games in the region. He was just an old guy who couldn’t conform with new ideas. Had it remained like that, the Blackhawks would have died slowly but surely. Hell, at the end of the 2006/07 season they were selling bottom level seats for $15 a pop. With Kane, Toews, Huet and Campbell, you’ll be lucky if you can get upper deck, under the jumbotron with a pillar blocking your view seats for that much.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Aug 15, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t say I’ve been keeping up with the Blackhawks, but that reminds me of the Oakland Raiders’ situation. I’ve been saying for couple of years that they’ll suck until Al Davis dies. He just has to have his hand in everything instead of hiring someone to handle the team operations.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 15, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The old-timers screw it up in every sport. Unless you manage a team in a sport with no cap like say, oh I don’t know, the Yankees. In that case, George Steinbrenner’s son single-handedly destroyed them this season.

It’s just sad to think that there are still some old-school management teams out there that can’t get with it.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Aug 15, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs