Aerial photo of Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Civic Arena was the home arena to the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins from 1967-2010. Also called Mellon Arena or "The Igloo", the Penguins won three Stanley Cup championship while playing there (1991, 1993, 2008). The venue was also the first stadium with a retractable roof in professional sports. However, the roof was permanently shut during the 2001 season. 

The arena boasted excellent sight lines and views of the ice. The only upper level seats were in the end zones. It was one of the smallest arenas in the NHL at the time with less than 17,000 seats. The very first Penguins home game was played on October 11th, 1967 vs. the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens would also be the final opponent of the Pittsburgh Penguins when they knocked them out of the playoffs on May 12th, 2010. The Penguins debuted at the Consol Energy Center, across the street, on October 7th, 2010. 

 

The arena hosted a wide variety of events including many NBA games over the years. Although the Penguins may not be as beloved as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh residents still love their Penguins and hated to see "The Igloo" torn down. We wanted to give Pittsburgh sports fans the opportunity to relive some old memories from Civic Arena. Enjoy!

 

*FromThisSeat.com does not own any of the photos below. We will gladly remove any photo upon request.* 

 

 

View from seats on the glass at Civic Arena. 

Photo of the glass seats at Mellon Arena.

 

 

Pennsylvania High School hockey jerseys used to decorate the Civic Arena concourse.

Photo of Pennsylvania High School hockey jerseys used to decorate the Civic Arena concourse.

 

 

The upper level concourse at Civic Arena. 

Photo of the upper level concourse at Civic Arena.

 

 

 

Remembering Civic Arena. 

 

 

 

Civic Arena after closing it's doors and awaiting it's demolition.

Photo of Mellon Arena before demolition.

 

 

The old Pittsburgh Penguins locker room at Civic Arena. 

Photo of the old Pittsburgh Penguins locker room at Civic Arena.

 

 

Longtime Penguins head coach Eddie Johnston. 

Photo of longtime Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Eddie Johnston.

 

 

 

The old arcade game area at Civic Arena. 

Photo of the old arcade game area at Civic Arena.

 

 

 

Walking through Civic Arena, a fan's perspective.

 

 

Jaromir Jagr, the greatest right winger in Pittsburgh Penguins history. 

Photo of Jaromir Jagr, the greatest right winger in Pittsburgh Penguins history.

 

 

The doors leading to the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room. 

Photo of the doors leading to the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room.

 

 

Mario Lemieux. The greatest player to ever play for the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Photo of former Pittsburgh Penguin Mario Lemieux.

 

 

Legendary Penguins right winger Mark Recchi. 

Photo of former Pittsburgh Penguin Mark Recchi.

 

 

Mellon Arena Time Lapse and transition to Penguins hockey.

 

 

Panoramic view of the ice at Civic Arena.

Panoramic photo of the ice at Civic Arena. 

 

 

With a capacity of 16,900 seats, Civic Arena was one of the smallest arenas in the NHL. 

Photo of the ice at Civic Arena from the upper level.

 

 

 

A rare photo of the Civic Arena roof open during a Penguins game.

The roof was closed permanently in 2001. 

A rare photo of the Civic Arena roof open during a Pittsburgh Penguins game.

 

 

Pittsburgh Penguins take the ice one last time at Civic Arena. Vs. the Montreal Canadiens.

 

 

Legendary Penguins defenseman Paul Coffey. 

Photo of legendary Penguins defenseman Paul Coffey.

 

 

Former Penguins defenseman Peter Taglianetti.

Taglianetti went on to become a Penguins broadcaster after retiring. 

Photo of former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Peter Taglianetti.

 

 

Former Penguins center Ron Francis.

Francis currently serves as the GM for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Photo of former Pittsburgh Penguins center Ron Francis.

 

 

Pittsburgh Penguins - The 2009 Stanley Cup Championship Movie.

 

 

Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy in 1991. 

Photo of Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy in 1991.

 

 

View of the ice from the upper level at Civic Arena. 

View of the ice from the upper level at Mellon Arena.

 

 

View of the uppermost seats on the top tier of Civic Arena. 

Photo of the uppermost seats on the top tier of Civic Arena.

 

 

Civic Arena demolition.

 

 

An interior view of the Civic Arena demolition. 

An interior photo of the Civic Arena following demolition.

 

 

An exterior view of the Civic Arena demolition. 

An exterior photo of the Civic Arena demolition.

 

 

The former site of Civic Arena post demolition.

The site is now a parking lot for the Consol Energy Center. 

Photo of the former site of Civic Arena post demolition.

 

  

 

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