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((short description|Arena in Pittsburgh))
((redirect|Pittsburgh Civic Arena|the album by The Doors|Pittsburgh Civic Arena (album)))
((About|the Pittsburgh arena|other uses|Civic Arena (disambiguation)((!))Civic Arena))
((pp-move))
((Use mdy dates|date=February 2013))
((Infobox venue
| stadium_name        = Civic Arena
| nickname            = The Igloo<br />The House That [[Mario Lemieux|Lemieux]] Built<ref>((cite web |url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=524546 |title=Mellon Arena: The House That Lemieux Built |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526032515/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=524546 |archive-date=26 May 2012 |website= Pittsburgh Penguins |publisher= Lemieux Group, LP |author1=Seidling, Jason |date=8 April 2010|url-status=live|df=mdy-all))</ref>
| image               = [[File:Pittsburgh-pennsylvania-mellon-arena-2007.jpg|250px]]
| fullname            = 
| location            = 66 [[Mario Lemieux]] Place, [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] 15219-3504
| coordinates         = ((coord|40|26|30|N|79|59|24|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title))
| broke_ground        = March 12, 1958
| opened              = September 17, 1961
| renovated           = 1986 ($19.5 million)<br />Summer 1993<ref name="mellonarena.com">((cite web |url=http://www.mellonarena.com/site41.php|title=Arena: History |website=Mellon Arena|date=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208034146/http://www.mellonarena.com/site41.php |archive-date=8 December 2008 ))</ref>
| closed              = June 26, 2010
| demolished          = September 26, 2011 – March 31, 2012
| owner               = [[Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County]]
| operator            = [[SMG (property management)|SMG]]
| surface             = 
| construction_cost   = US$22 million<br />($((Format price|((Inflation|US|22000000|1960))|3)) in ((Inflation-year|US)) dollars((inflation-fn|US)))
| architect           = Mitchell & Ritchey Architects
| structural engineer = [[Ammann & Whitney]]
| general_contractor  = Dick Corporation<ref>((cite web|title=Historic Pittsburgh Image Collections|url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/images/pittsburgh/winans.html|publisher=University of Pittsburgh|access-date=May 6, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506201951/http://digital.library.pitt.edu/images/pittsburgh/winans.html|archive-date=May 6, 2014|df=mdy-all))</ref>
| former_names        = Civic Auditorium (1961)<br />Civic Arena (1961–1999; 2010–2011)<br />Mellon Arena (December 1999 – June 2010)
| tenants             = [[Pittsburgh Rens]] ([[American Basketball League (1961–63)|ABL]]) (1961–1963)<br />[[Pittsburgh Hornets]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (1961–1967)<br>[[Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera]] (1961-1973)<br />[[Duquesne Dukes men's basketball|Duquesne Dukes]] ([[NCAA]]) (1964&ndash;1988)<br />[[Pittsburgh Condors|Pittsburgh Pipers/Condors]] ([[American Basketball Association (1967–76)|ABA]]) (1967–1968, 1969–1972)<br />[[Pittsburgh Penguins]] ([[National Hockey League|NHL]]) (1967–2010)<br />[[Pittsburgh Triangles]] ([[World TeamTennis|WTT]]) (1974–1976)<br />[[Pittsburgh Spirit]] ([[Major Soccer League|MISL]]) (1978–1986)<br />[[Tampa Bay Storm|Pittsburgh Gladiators]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]]) (1987–1990)<br />[[Pittsburgh Bulls]] ([[Major Indoor Lacrosse League|MILL]]) (1990–1993)<br /> [[Pittsburgh Phantoms (RHI)|Pittsburgh Phantoms]] ([[Roller Hockey International|RHI]]) (1994)<br />[[Pittsburgh Stingers]] ([[Continental Indoor Soccer League|CISL]]) (1994–1995)<br />[[Pittsburgh CrosseFire]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]) (2000)<br />[[Pittsburgh Xplosion]] ([[American Basketball Association (2000–present)|ABA]]) (2005–2006)
| seating_capacity    = Ice hockey: 16,940<br />Hockey [[Standing-room only|SRO]]: 17,132<br />Basketball: 17,537<br />Concert:
*End Stage 12,800
*Center Stage 18,039
| dimensions          = ((convert|250|x|120|ft|abbr=on))<ref name="mellonarena.com"/>
| scoreboard          = 
|))

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.<ref name=08media/>

Constructed in 1961 for use by the [[Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera]] (CLO), it was the brainchild of department store owner [[Edgar J. Kaufmann]]. It was the first [[retractable roof]] major-sports venue in the world, covering ((convert|170000|sqft)), constructed with nearly 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel and supported solely by a massive ((convert|260|foot|m|adj=mid|-long)) cantilevered arm on the exterior.<ref name="mellonarena.com"/> Even though it was designed and engineered as a retractable-roof dome, the operating cost and repairs to the hydraulic jacks halted all full retractions after 1995, and the roof stayed permanently closed after 2001.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2010/05/25/Mellon-Arena-roof-may-open-for-final-show/stories/201005250282|title=Mellon Arena roof may open for final show|website=post-gazette.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210113915/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2010/05/25/Mellon-Arena-roof-may-open-for-final-show/stories/201005250282|archive-date=December 10, 2014|df=mdy-all))</ref>  The first roof opening was during a July 4, 1962, [[Carol Burnett]] show to which she exclaimed "Ladies and Gentlemen&nbsp;... I present the sky!"<ref>((cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/arena-timeline-highlights-of-50-years-of-entertainment-249025/ | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Sharon | last=Eberson | title=Arena timeline – Highlights of 50 years of entertainment – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=May 30, 2010))</ref>

The Civic Arena hosted numerous concerts, the circus, political and religious rallies, [[roller derby|roller derbies]] as well as contests in hockey, basketball, fish tournament weigh-ins, pro tennis, boxing, wrestling, lacrosse, football, ice skating championships, kennel shows, and soccer. The structure was used as the backdrop for several major Hollywood films, most prominently ''[[Sudden Death (1995 film)|Sudden Death]]'' in 1995. Prior to its demise, it was known as Mellon Arena, named for [[Mellon Financial]], specifically American businessman and 49th Secretary of the Treasury [[Andrew W. Mellon]], which purchased the naming rights in 1999. Their naming rights expired on August 1, 2010, and the arena  once again adopted the name of Civic Arena.<ref>((cite news|first= Mark|last= Belko|title= Arena will lose Mellon name in August|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10175/1067812-28.stm|work= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= June 24, 2010|access-date= June 24, 2010|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110927214439/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10175/1067812-28.stm|archive-date= September 27, 2011|df= mdy-all))</ref>

The Civic Arena closed on June 26, 2010. The former Mellon naming rights expired soon after, and the Penguins and all other events moved across the street to the new [[PPG Paints Arena|Consol Energy Center]] (now PPG Paints Arena). After various groups declined historic status for the venue, it was demolished between September 2011 and March 2012. In its place, existing public parking lots in the area were expanded over the entire site. Two of the many streets stricken from the city's street plan when the arena was originally built were subsequently re-extended back through the site: Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street.<ref name="fullerton">((cite web|last1=Belko|first1=Mark|title=Ceremony marks reopening of link between Downtown and Hill District|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/10/07/Pittsburgh-reconnecting-former-Civic-Arena-site-with-Downtown-Hill-District/stories/201610070209|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|publisher=PG Publishing Co., Inc|access-date=12 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220175308/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/10/07/Pittsburgh-reconnecting-former-Civic-Arena-site-with-Downtown-Hill-District/stories/201610070209|archive-date=December 20, 2016|df=mdy-all))</ref> The Penguins have the rights to redevelop the property and a preliminary plan exists for residential units, retail space and office space.<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2013/12/05/Penguins-plans-for-Civic-site-hit-snag/stories/201312050191 | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Penguins' plans for Civic Arena site hit snag – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=December 4, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208224446/http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2013/12/05/Penguins-plans-for-Civic-site-hit-snag/stories/201312050191 | archive-date=December 8, 2013 | df=mdy-all ))</ref>

==Construction and design==
[[File:MellonArenaPenguins08.JPG|left|thumb|The Civic Arena during a Penguins game in 2008]]
The $22 million ($((Format price|((Inflation|US|22000000|1960))|3)) in ((Inflation-year|US)) dollars((inflation-fn|US))) arena was completed for the CLO in 1961.<ref name=Prof310/> Mayor [[David L. Lawrence]] had publicly announced plans for a "civic theater" as early as February 8, 1953<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/newslinks/timeline1946.asp | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – News Links | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211081148/http://www.post-gazette.com/newslinks/timeline1946.asp | archive-date=February 11, 2005 | df=mdy-all ))</ref> after years of public pressure had built after CLO president, civic leader and owner of [[Kaufmann's]] department store [[Edgar J. Kaufmann]] announced his intention on December 1, 1948, to find a new home for the group. Funding was provided by a combination of public and private money, including grants from Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Kaufmann.<ref name=08media/> The arena's design incorporated 2,950&nbsp;tons of [[stainless steel]] from Pittsburgh.<ref name=Prof310>((harvnb|O'Brien|1994|p=310))</ref>

To make room for the arena, the city used [[eminent domain]] to displace 8,000 residents and 400 businesses from the lower [[Hill District]], the cultural center of black life in Pittsburgh.<ref>Trotter, Joe W. & Day, Jared N. "Race and Renaissance: African-Americans in Pittsburgh Since World War II."</ref> Demolition began in 1955 and was finished by 1960.<ref name=Jones3July12>((cite news|last=Jones|first=Diana Nelson|title=The Lower Hill before the arena: A rambunctious, crowded, loud place with 'everything you needed' |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/the-lower-hill-before-the-arena-a-rambunctious-crowded-loud-place-with-everything-you-needed-293867/?p=0|access-date=July 24, 2012|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=July 3, 2012))</ref>  The last structure to be demolished was Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, built in 1908. The city charter prohibited using eminent domain on churches, but the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh]] was able to do so because it was not a city entity.<ref>((cite news|last= Kennedy|first=Kaitlyn|title=From "Citadel of Hope" to Parking Lot: Pittsburgh's Oldest Black Church Demands Reparations|url=https://www.tag24.com/justice/activism/from-citadel-of-hope-to-parking-lot-pittsburghs-oldest-black-church-demands-reparations-2305506|date=Feb 1, 2022|newspaper=TAG24))</ref> On July 21, 1959, a steel strike halted work on the arena and delayed its opening date.

The Arena was designed for the CLO, which previously held productions at [[Pitt Stadium]]. The roof, which was supported by a ((convert|260|ft|adj=on)) arch, was free of internal support leaving no obstruction for the seats within. The roof, which had a diameter of ((convert|415|ft)), was divided into eight sections. Six of the sections could fold underneath two—in 2½ minutes—making the Civic Arena the world's first major indoor sports stadium with a retractable roof.<ref name=Coo323/> A total of 42 trucks mounted on 78 wheels, 30 of which were individually driven, supported and moved the six moveable sections. The trucks, gear motors and 480-volt AC motor drive that moved the roof sections were designed and manufactured by [[Heyl & Patterson Inc.]], a local specialist engineering firm.<ref>[http://www.heylpatterson.com/case_view.aspx?article=41&page=1 Moveable Civic Arena Roof Rolls on Wheels Designed by Heyl & Patterson] ((webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317173625/http://www.heylpatterson.com/case_view.aspx?article=41&page=1 |date=March 17, 2012 ))</ref>

The arena's capacity fluctuated depending on the event being hosted, but was increased due to additions between 1972 and 1991.<ref name=Coo323/> The arena originally consisted only of lower bowl seating, but over time, upper decks were installed in the arena's "end zones" to increase capacity. In December 1999, [[Mellon Financial]] purchased the Arena's naming rights in a 10-year, $18&nbsp;million agreement, which renamed the arena Mellon Arena.<ref name=official>((cite web|url= http://www.mellonarena.com/site41.php|title= Arena History|access-date= December 15, 2008|work= Arena Info|publisher= Mellon Arena – Official site|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081208034146/http://www.mellonarena.com/site41.php|archive-date= December 8, 2008|df= mdy-all))</ref>

The original center scoreboard was an electromechanical Nissen scoreboard with digital clock display, which appears in the 1979 movie ''[[The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh]]''. That board was replaced during the 1986 renovations by an American Sign and Indicator scoreboard with a black-and-white three-line matrix animation/messageboard on each side, which appears in ''[[Sudden Death (1995 film)|Sudden Death]].''  White Way Sign created the arena's final center scoreboard, this one with a Sony [[JumboTron]] videoboard on each side, which remained for the arena's final sixteen years of use.

==History and events==
((Main|List of entertainment events at Civic Arena (Pittsburgh, PA)))
On September 17, 1961, the [[Ice Capades]] hosted the arena's first event. Globally televised figure skating was hosted by the arena three times: The [[1983 United States Figure Skating Championships]], [[1994 Skate America|1994]] and [[2004 Skate America|2004]] editions of [[Skate America]] all having nearly week-long competitions.

===Political events===
Major political rallies were part of the early history of the arena. Former President [[Dwight Eisenhower]] appeared at a Republican rally on October 12, 1962. President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] delivered a campaign address on October 27, 1964, and [[Barry Goldwater|Sen. Barry Goldwater]] on October 29, 1964.<ref>((cite web|url=http://pgdigs.tumblr.com/post/32453023659/oct-29-1964-barry-goldwater-campaigns-in|title=The Digs: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Oct. 29, 1964: Barry Goldwater campaigns in...|website=The Digs: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette))</ref> On April 26, 1964, the 2-week long International Conference and Debate of the Methodist Church opened at the Arena.<ref>((cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vqFIAAAAIBAJ&dq=pittsburgh+segregation&pg=4881,6914971|title=The Morning Record - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com))</ref> [[Richard Nixon|Vice President Nixon]] visited for a campaign rally at the arena on October 28, 1968. [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Frank Borman]], and [[Li Choh-ming]] visited for the [[University of Pittsburgh]] commencement on April 27, 1969.

===Boxing matches===
[[Muhammad Ali]] KO'ed Charley Powell on January 24, 1963, to a global television audience from the Civic Arena. [[Sugar Ray Robinson]], [[Sonny Liston]] and [[Floyd Patterson]] also participated in boxing matches at the arena. On November 6, 1981, the globally televised [[World heavyweight boxing championship|World Heavyweight Title]] was fought at the arena between [[Larry Holmes]] and [[Renaldo Snipes]] with an undercard bout between [[Buster Douglas]] and [[David Bey]].

===Professional wrestling===
* WWF [[SummerSlam (1995)|SummerSlam]] – 1995
* WWF [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]] – 1998
* WWF [[Unforgiven (2001)|Unforgiven]] – 2001
* WWE [[No Way Out (2005)|No Way Out]] - 2005
* WWE [[Armageddon (2007)|Armageddon]] - 2007
* WWE [[Bragging Rights (2009)|Bragging Rights]] - 2009

King of the Ring in 1998 is remembered for the [[Mankind vs. The Undertaker|Hell in a Cell match]] between [[Mick Foley]] and [[the Undertaker]], where Foley would fall from the top of the cell, suffering multiple injuries. Journalist [[Michael Landsberg]] called it "maybe the most famous match ever."<ref>((Cite episode|title=The Undertaker interview|series=[[Off the Record with Michael Landsberg|Off the Record]]|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=March 29, 2002|minutes=9))</ref> In 2011, this incident was named as the number one "[[wikt:OMG|OMG]]!" incident in the WWE history.<ref>((cite AV media notes |title=OMG! - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History DVD |publisher=[[WWE|WWE Inc]] |year=2011 ))</ref> The final WWE event was a [[Monday Night Raw]] episode on May 10, 2010. The future events would now be taking place at [[PPG Paints Arena]].

===Basketball===
America's first high school basketball All-Star game, The Dapper Dan [[Roundball Classic]] was held at the arena annually between 1965 and 1992.<ref>IT'S A BASKETBALL TOWN. ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'' (PA) – Friday, March 14, 1997. MARINO PARASCENZO</ref> The men's basketball programs of both of the city's [[NCAA Division I]] institutions, the [[Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball|University of Pittsburgh]] and [[Duquesne Dukes men's basketball|Duquesne University]], frequently used it either as a primary or secondary home court, and the last basketball game played at the arena was the two schools' [[City Game|annual rivalry game]] in 2009.<ref>((cite news|first= Ray|last= Fittipaldo|title= Duquesne, Pitt will return to Mellon Arena for City Game|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09245/994791-142.stm|newspaper= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= September 2, 2009|access-date= September 3, 2009|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090905073033/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09245/994791-142.stm|archive-date= September 5, 2009|df= mdy-all))</ref> Among the two schools, Duquesne made the most extensive use of the arena, using it as their home from 1964 until 1988.<ref>((cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/duqu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/Records.pdf |title=Records |access-date=18 February 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519003011/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/duqu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/Records.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all ))</ref> From 1984 to 2002, Pitt used the arena for select games against popular opponents.

The [[Philadelphia 76ers]], [[Pittsburgh Pipers]], [[Pittsburgh Condors]], [[Pittsburgh Rens]], [[Pittsburgh Piranhas]], and the [[Harlem Globetrotters]] hosted regular-season basketball games at the Arena. The first and second-round games of both the [[1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1997]] and [[2002 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]]s were held at the Arena.<ref name=official/>

===Tennis===
The [[Pittsburgh Triangles]] of [[World TeamTennis]] hosted three Eastern Division Championships at the arena from 1974 through 1976 and the Bancroft Cup finals in 1975, winning the title on August 25, 1975, with paid attendance of 6,882.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other/20000910triangles5.asp|title=Love Triangles: Pittsburgh adored its World Team Tennis franchise|website=www.post-gazette.com))</ref>

===Indoor soccer===
The [[Pittsburgh Spirit]] [[Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992)|Major Indoor Soccer League]] team also hosted matches at the Arena.<ref name=08media>((cite book|url= http://penguins.nhl.com/ext/pdf/PghPenguins0809MediaGuide.pdf|title= Pittsburgh Penguins 2008.09 Media Guide|access-date= December 15, 2008|publisher= Pittsburgh Penguins|page= 7|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090117101945/http://penguins.nhl.com/ext/pdf/PghPenguins0809MediaGuide.pdf|archive-date= January 17, 2009|df= mdy-all))</ref><ref name=Prof312>((harvnb|O'Brien|1994|pp=312–3))</ref>

===Roller derby===
[[Roller Derby]] featuring the hosting New York Chiefs took place at the Arena as well.

===Gymnastics===
[[1984 Summer Olympics|Olympic Gold Medal]] winner [[Mary Lou Retton]] performed at the Arena as part of the "Tour of Champions" event on November 2, 1990.<ref>((cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gGRKAAAAIBAJ&dq=convention+center+pittsburgh&pg=890,226172|title=The Vindicator - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com))</ref>

===Notable musical events===
The first rock concert at the arena was emceed by [[Porky Chedwick]] on May 11, 1962, as a [[DiCesare Engler Productions|DiCesare Engler]] production and featured [[Jackie Wilson]], [[The Drifters]], [[The Coasters]], [[The Castelles]], [[Jerry Butler (singer)|Jerry Butler]], [[The Flamingos]], [[The Angels (American group)|The Angels]], [[The Blue-Belles]], and [[The Skyliners]].<ref>((cite web|url=http://dicesare-englerproductions.com/DiCesare_s_First_Concert.php|title=Site Suspended - This site has stepped out for a bit|website=dicesare-englerproductions.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928103318/http://dicesare-englerproductions.com/DiCesare_s_First_Concert.php|archive-date=September 28, 2013|df=mdy-all))</ref>

On September 14, 1964, the Beatles played the arena during their first United States tour. Opening acts were the Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and Jackie DeShannon. A sell-out crowd of over 12,000 paid $5.90 to attend

Motown came to the arena on March 6, 1969, with a Temptations concert.

On July 11, 1971, the world's first "authorized" production of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' opened at the Civic Arena.

[[Black Sabbath]] played the arena on February 1, 1974.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/black-sabbath/1974/civic-arena-pittsburgh-pa-6bdca636.html |title=Black Sabbath Setlist |website=Setlist.fm  |date=1 February 1974| location= Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, USA))</ref> ''[[Circus (magazine)|Circus]]'' reported, "They broke the existing box office record by grossing $76,000."<ref>((cite magazine|first=Cathy|last=Napierala|title=California Rock Jam Draws Huge and Peaceful Crowds|magazine=[[Circus (magazine)|Circus]]|date=July 1974))</ref>

On August 14, 1974, Canadian rock band [[Rush (band)|Rush]] played the first show on their debut US tour with new drummer [[Neil Peart]] at the Civic Arena.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/740814story.htm |title=Civic Center Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1974 |access-date=2014-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324040858/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/tours/740814story.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all ))</ref> They were opening for [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] at this show.

[[Elvis Presley]] played his final New Year's Eve show at the Civic Arena on December 31, 1976, and played to a sellout on June 25 and 26, 1973. The arena has hosted other major concerts by every act from [[Frank Sinatra]]<ref>((cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JFoqAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,3651355|title=The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com))</ref> to [[Garth Brooks]] to [[Jimmy Page]] and [[Robert Plant]].

By the mid-1970s the arena was among the premier venues in the nation, with Billboard magazine naming it the 9th best in the U.S. on December 30, 1976.<ref>((cite web|url=http://dicesare-englerproductions.com/uploads/North_Hills_News_Record__1976-12-31.pdf|title=Site Suspended - This site has stepped out for a bit|website=dicesare-englerproductions.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710124403/http://www.dicesare-englerproductions.com/uploads/North_Hills_News_Record__1976-12-31.pdf|archive-date=July 10, 2011|df=mdy-all))</ref>  Sly and the Family Stone, The Steve Miller Band, Grand Funk Railroad, Boz Scaggs,  and The Beach Boys all played the arena in 1974.<ref>((cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19740517&id=5wYOAAAAIBAJ&pg=7517,387119|title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com))</ref>

The [[Bee Gees]] performed two concerts here on September 4–5, 1979 during their [[Spirits Having Flown Tour]].

[[The Jacksons]] performed at Pittsburgh Civic Arena on August 13, 1981, during their [[Triumph Tour]].((citation needed|date=May 2022))

Guitarist Randy Rhoads played one of his final shows here with Ozzy Osbourne on February 2, 1982. He would die 45 days later.

[[Duran Duran]] performed February 28, 1984, during a snowstorm and their Grammy win was announced onstage.((citation needed|date=May 2022))

Pop superstar [[Michael Jackson]] performed three concerts at Pittsburgh Civic Arena on September 26, 27 and 28, 1988 during his [[Bad (tour)|Bad World Tour]].((citation needed|date=May 2022))

Pop singer [[Britney Spears]] performed at the arena once in 2001 on her [[Dream Within a Dream Tour]] and in 2009 to a sell-out crowd as a part of her [[Circus Tour]].((citation needed|date=May 2022))

Then country singer [[Taylor Swift]] played a show in the arena during her [[Fearless Tour]] on October 1, 2009.

[[The Doors]] recorded their May 2, 1970, concert at the Civic Arena. This would be released 38 years later as ''Live in Pittsburgh 1970'' aka [[Pittsburgh Civic Arena (The Doors album)|''Pittsburgh Civic Arena'']]. It is considered by most music critics to be The Doors very best live recording.

The [[Grateful Dead]]'s performances, on April 2–3, 1989, were recorded and later released as a live album, entitled ''[[Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 9|Download Series Volume 9]]'', as well as sparking a riot by "Dead Heads" on the final day of the concert, an event that was national news and featured by [[Kurt Loder]] on [[MTV News]] following the arrest of 500 by the [[Pittsburgh Police]].

[[The Rolling Stones]] performed three times in the arena: July 22, 1972; March 11, 1999; and January 10, 2003.

[[Josh Groban]] performed here in August 2007 as part of his 'Awake' tour.

The final event was to be a [[Maxwell (musician)|Maxwell]] concert on July 10, 2010. However, the show was canceled.((citation needed|date=May 2022)) On June 8, 2010, the arena's management group, [[SMG (property management)|SMG]], announced that [[James Taylor]] and [[Carole King]]'s [[Troubadour Reunion Tour]] concert stop would be the final event at Mellon Arena on June 26, 2010.<ref name=finalshow>((cite web | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2010/06/24/James-Taylor-and-Carole-King-close-the-Arena-with-encore-of-71-date/stories/201006240374 | title=James Taylor and Carole King close the arena with encore of '71 date | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=24 June 2010 | access-date=29 April 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211105201/http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2010/06/24/James-Taylor-and-Carole-King-close-the-Arena-with-encore-of-71-date/stories/201006240374 | archive-date=December 11, 2017 | df=mdy-all ))</ref>

===Hockey===
((Quote box
|quote= "It was beautiful, I can remember because the roof was round and white and pristine. It was like playing in a cloud. Imagine, it's almost like you're playing in the [[Vatican City|Vatican]]. It was very unique."
|source=—[[Gene Ubriaco]], former [[Forward (ice hockey)|Forward]] with the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] and the [[Pittsburgh Hornets]], recalling his playing days at the Arena<ref>((cite web |last=Gorman |first=Kevin |title=Mellon Arena stirs plenty of fond memories |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_675400.html |work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] |access-date=2010-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412101018/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_675400.html |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |df=mdy-all ))</ref>
| align = right
|width=350px 
))

====AHL Hornets====
The [[Pittsburgh Hornets]], members of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) played home games at the [[Duquesne Gardens]], located in the [[Oakland (Pittsburgh)|Oakland]] section of Pittsburgh. The team played 20&nbsp;seasons in the Gardens prior to its demolition, which made room for an apartment building.<ref name=Coo322>((harvnb|Cooper|1994|p=322))</ref> The Arena opened on September 17, 1961.<ref name=Coo322/> With the Arena available, the Hornets resumed play in the [[1961–62 AHL season|1961–62 season]] and went on to win the [[Calder Cup]] in the [[1966–67 AHL season|1966–67 season]].<ref name=Coo322/>

====Penguins====
As part of the [[1967 NHL expansion]], the city of Pittsburgh was selected to host one of six new franchises. With a hockey [[seating capacity]] of 12,508, Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena was eight seats over the NHL's minimum seating benchmark.<ref name=Coo323>((harvnb|Cooper|1994|p=323))</ref> Due to its outward appearance, the Arena was nicknamed "The [[Igloo]]" which led to the naming of the Penguins.<ref name=Coo324>((harvnb|Cooper|1994|p=324))</ref> (The connection is somewhat inaccurate, since igloos are found in the Northern Hemisphere, while penguins are indigenous to Antarctica.) The Penguins debuted at the Civic Arena on October 11, 1967, in a 2–1 loss to the [[Montreal Canadiens]]. [[Andy Bathgate]] scored the Penguins's first goal in the arena. It was the first NHL game played between an expansion team and an "Original Six" team. The Penguins won their first game at the Arena on October 21, when they became the first expansion team to beat an original NHL franchise—besting the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] 4–2.<ref name=Coo325>((harvnb|Cooper|1994|pp=325–6))</ref> On January 21, 1990, the Civic Arena hosted the [[41st National Hockey League All-Star Game]]. Pittsburgh's [[Mario Lemieux]] scored three goals on his first three shots—the first coming 21&nbsp;seconds into the game. He later scored a fourth goal and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.<ref>((cite book|title= Mario|last= Martin|first= Lawrence|year= 1993|publisher= Lester Publishing|location= [[Toronto]]|isbn= 1-895555-45-0|page= [https://archive.org/details/mario0000mart/page/186 186]|url= https://archive.org/details/mario0000mart/page/186))</ref> The arena also hosted the [[1997 NHL Entry Draft]],<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.nhl.com/futures/drafthistory.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010128131400/http://nhl.com/futures/drafthistory.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2001 |title=NHL Draft History |access-date=January 6, 2009 |work=NHL Entry Draft |publisher=NHL.com |df=mdy-all ))</ref> as well as games of the [[1991 Stanley Cup Finals|1991]], [[1992 Stanley Cup Finals|1992]], [[2008 Stanley Cup Finals|2008]], and [[2009 Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref name=08media/>  The 2008 Finals marked the only occasion that the Stanley Cup was presented on Mellon Arena ice, after the Penguins were defeated by the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in six games.

The Penguins originally planned to wear a jersey patch to commemorate their final season in the Igloo, but it was later scrapped.<ref>((cite web|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_662329.html|title= Mellon Arena nostalgia kept in check|date= January 15, 2010|website= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100118084458/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_662329.html|archive-date= January 18, 2010|df= mdy-all))</ref>

The Pittsburgh Penguins played their final regular season game at the Mellon Arena on April 8, 2010, when they defeated the New York Islanders 7–3. More than 50 former Penguins were in attendance for a [[pre-game ceremony]] and "team picture".<ref>((cite web|url= http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=523981|title= More Than 50 Former Penguins To Return Thursday To Celebrate Final Regular Season Game at Mellon Arena|date= April 5, 2010|publisher= PittsburghPenguins.com|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120513113906/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=523981|archive-date= May 13, 2012|df= mdy-all))</ref>

[[File:Mellon Arena Final Regular Season Game 2010-04-08 2.JPG|thumb|450px|center|[[Pittsburgh Penguins]] players past and present were honored during a pregame ceremony prior to the final regular season game at Mellon Arena, April 8, 2010.]]

The Pittsburgh Penguins played their last game in Mellon Arena on May 12, 2010; a 5–2 defeat at the hands of the [[Montreal Canadiens]] to eliminate them from the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs]] in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This means the Canadiens both opened and closed the Penguins' career at the arena, handing out defeats at both events.

[[File:Mellon Arena.JPG|thumb|640px|center|Panoramic view of the Civic Arena from D-Level in October 2007. The balconies on either end of this photo were not part of the original structure. The lower E-level balcony was added in 1975 and the upper F-level balcony was added in 1993 season to expand [[seating capacity]].]]

====Seating capacity====
The seating capacity of Civic Arena over time went as follows:<ref>((cite web|url=http://pittsburghhockey.net/old-site/Common/CivicArena/CivicAttend.html|title=The Civic Arena (Mellon Arena) Attendance Records|website=pittsburghhockey.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505083751/http://pittsburghhockey.net/old-site/Common/CivicArena/CivicAttend.html|archive-date=May 5, 2012|df=mdy-all))</ref>
<div style="float:left; width:48%;">
*10,732 (1961–1967)
*12,508 (1967–1968)
*12,580 (1968–1972)
*12,866 (1972–1973)
*13,431 (1973–1974)
*13,402 (1974–1975)
*16,402 (1975–1976)
*16,404 (1976–1977)</div><div style="float:right; width:48%;">
*16,033 (1977–1987)
*16,168 (1987–1988)
*16,025 (1988–1990)
*16,164 (1990–1993)
*17,537 (1993–1994)
*17,181 (1994–1997); 17,355 with standing room
*16,958 (1997–2004); 17,148 with standing room
*16,940 (2004–2010); 17,132 with standing room</div>((Clear))

===Basketball===

====NCAA tournaments====
The Civic Arena hosted the first and second round regional games of both the [[1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1997]] and [[2002 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2002 NCAA men's tournament]]. The arena's successor [[Consol Energy Center]] also hosted them in 2012. It also hosted the women's first and second-round games in 2001.

====Eastern Eight championships====
For five seasons the arena hosted the [[Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament|Eastern 8 Conference men's basketball tournament]] every March. From 1978 to 1982 many of the current Big East Conference powers Atlantic 10 powers fought for their conference crown at the center. For the final season, the Mellon Arena hosted a record crowd of 16,056, the third-largest conference basketball championship crowd in the nation that year.<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07064/766969-194.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Smizik: Eastern Eight tournament was special event | date=March 5, 2007 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307122015/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07064/766969-194.stm | archive-date=March 7, 2007 | df=mdy-all ))</ref>

====NBA regular season games====
Between 1964 and 1973, the arena hosted 14 regular season [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] games, primarily as a satellite city for the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. On February 24, 1967, at the arena, [[Wilt Chamberlain]] set the all-time record for consecutive NBA field goals as well as single NBA game field goal percentage, a record that still stands.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_fieldgoals.html|title=NBA.com: Regular Season Records: Field Goals|website=www.nba.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724045308/http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_fieldgoals.html|archive-date=July 24, 2013|df=mdy-all|access-date=September 30, 2012))</ref>  On October 10, 1971, the world champion [[Milwaukee Bucks]] led by [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] played the Condors at the arena.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/FanMemories/CondorsFanMemories.html |title=Pittsburgh Condors Fan Memories|website=Remember the ABA: Pittsburgh Condors |access-date=30 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430031142/http://www.remembertheaba.com/FanMemories/CondorsFanMemories.html |archive-date=30 April 2012 |df=mdy ))</ref>  The Arena also hosted dozens of pre-season NBA contests from the 1960s until 2009, many of them hosted by the nearby [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], the closest NBA team to Pittsburgh.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/photogallery/pittsburgh_051011.html|title=Scenes from Pittsburgh - Cleveland Cavaliers|website=Cleveland Cavaliers|date=May 10, 2011 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203115651/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/photogallery/pittsburgh_051011.html|archive-date=December 3, 2013|df=mdy-all))</ref>

====ABA Pipers and Condors====
The arena was the home of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) [[Pittsburgh Pipers]] in 1967–68 and 1969–70 and the [[Pittsburgh Condors]] from 1970 to 1972. The team moved to Minneapolis for the 1968–69 season before returning. The team was disbanded following the 1971–72 season as the ABA struggled.
 
The Pipers were part of the inaugural season of the ABA in 1967–68, which quickly established a rivalry to the older [[National Basketball Association]]. On May 4, 1968, the Pipers, led by future Hall of Famer [[Connie Hawkins]], claimed the ABA's first ever championship, defeating the [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] before a Game 7 sold-out crowd of 11,457 in the Civic Arena.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Pittsburgh-Condors.html |title=Pittsburgh Condors |access-date=2 January 2013 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428061104/http://www.remembertheaba.com/Pittsburgh-Condors.html |archive-date=28 April 2013 |df=mdy-all))</ref>

==Naming==
((more citations needed|section|date=September 2017))<!--only last paragraph has a citation-->
In 1957, before the arena was opened, the under-construction building was officially known as the '''Civic Auditorium Amphitheater'''. By 1961, when it opened, Pittsburgh sign makers had decided that Civic Arena fit better on street signs, and the new, shorter name stuck. Still though, for the few years after it opened, it was sometimes referred to as the '''Civic Auditorium'''.

In the early days, '''The Pittsburgh Dome''' was also popular name choice, but nothing came of it.

In April 1988, city Councilman Mark Pollock proposed renaming it the '''[[Richard S. Caliguiri]] Arena''', after the city's popular mayor who was diagnosed with [[amyloidosis]]. Caliguiri died a month later, and nothing came of this name, either.

Allegheny County Commissioner Pete Flaherty believed that officially renaming the arena '''The Igloo''' would bring marketing potential in 1992. Again, the Civic Arena name stayed.

In 1997, the Penguins sold naming rights to [[Allegheny Energy]] for $5 million, which would've renamed the arena '''Allegheny Energy Dome'''. However, the Penguins did not own the building nor its naming rights – the Sports Commission of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County did, and the deal fell through.<ref>http://www.espn.com/nhl/news/1999/1220/244418.html ((bare URL inline|date=February 2024))</ref>

But, by 1999, this had changed. When Mario Lemieux bought the Penguins out of bankruptcy, the naming rights were also awarded to him. They then sold the rights to [[Mellon Financial]] for $18 million, and the arena was finally renamed '''Mellon Arena'''. The arena kept the name after Mellon merged with [[The Bank of New York]] to form [[The Bank of New York Mellon]] in 2007 and didn't go through with the "BNY Mellon" rebranding like other buildings bearing the Bank of New York or Mellon name such as [[BNY Mellon Center (Pittsburgh)|One Mellon Center]].

The Mellon Arena name was allowed to expire on August 1, 2010, with the building now vacant and the Penguins moving to the new [[PPG Paints Arena|Consol Energy Center]] (later renamed PPG Paints Arena) across the street. The closed building officially became the Civic Arena again.<ref>''Inside the Igloo'', by the staff of the ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review''</ref>

==Replacement, debate, and demolition==
At its closing in 2010, the Civic Arena was the oldest and third-smallest arena in the NHL by official capacity (the Islanders and Oilers arenas seated fewer). In later years, the arena's staff was forced to use space for multiple purposes never intended in the building's original design.<ref>((cite news|first= Robert|last= Dvorchak|title= Old Mellon Arena functional despite lack of amenities|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09113/964911-61.stm|work= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= April 23, 2009|access-date= April 23, 2009|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090426115427/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09113/964911-61.stm|archive-date= April 26, 2009|df= mdy-all))</ref> The Penguins franchise agreed to a deal with city and state officials to fund a new home arena for the franchise in March 2007. The [[Consol Energy Center|PPG Paints Arena]] is located across the street from the site of Civic Arena and has a higher [[seating capacity]].<ref name=08media/> The Penguins played their first game at PPG Paints Arena October 7, 2010.<ref>((cite video|people= Gus Rosendale|date= November 13, 2007|title= Sketches of Pittsburgh Penguins' New Arena|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1wFg840cc|medium= Television production|publisher= [[KDKA-TV]]|location= [[Pittsburgh]]|access-date= 2008-12-16|time= 0:13|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100723181655/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=UH1wFg840cc|archive-date= July 23, 2010|df= mdy-all))</ref>

[[File:Penguins 3 Stanley Cup Banners.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Penguins' 3 Stanley Cup Championship Banners displayed at the Arena in 2009–10]]
A March 2007 agreement between the SEA and the Penguins states that Civic Arena would be demolished after completion of PPG Paints Arena in July 2010. During this time, SEA conducted a historic assessment of the arena. It was  eligible to be considered for the [[National Register of Historic Places]], mainly because of its unique, retractable dome. A private consultant to SEA was hired to conduct the survey. The consultant followed the state [[Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission|Historic and Museum Commission]] guidelines to determine whether demolishing the arena, or reusing it, would adversely affect historic structures or artifacts in the area. The recommendations of the consultant to SEA were scheduled to be delivered in June 2010.<ref>((cite news|first= Jeremy|last= Boren|title= Raze or reuse? Igloo's fate studied|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_662967.html|website= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= January 20, 2010|access-date= January 20, 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101010165526/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_662967.html|archive-date= October 10, 2010|df= mdy-all))</ref>

[[File:Civic Arena 8.jpg|left|thumb|The arena undergoing demolition in January 2012. At that time, all of the dome's stainless steel had been removed.]]
On September 16, 2010, the Allegheny County Sports and Exhibition Authority voted unanimously to demolish the Civic Arena. SEA Board chairman, [[Pennsylvania State Senate|State Senator]] [[Wayne D. Fontana|Wayne Fontana]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]&ndash;[[Brookline (Pittsburgh)|Brookline]], said the board's decision will not be final unless someone comes forward with a better idea on the use of the Arena. During the summer of 2010, workers removed [[asbestos]] from the building while a demolition plan was designed. The board also decided to sell assets (handled by the auction company Asset Auctions) from inside and would later award a demolition contract in February 2011.<ref>((cite news|first=Andrew |last=Conte |title=SEA votes unanimously to level Civic Arena |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com:8007/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_699827.html |website=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=September 16, 2010 |access-date=September 16, 2010 ))((dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes ))</ref> Proponents for retaining the building opposed the demolition decision in court, and attempted to seek landmark status.

On November 24, 2010, the building's demolition was delayed due to a last-minute nomination as a [[National Historic Landmark]].<ref>((cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10328/1105804-53.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Mark | last=Belko | title=Civic Arena spared demolition for now | date=November 24, 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125135121/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10328/1105804-53.stm | archive-date=November 25, 2010 | df=mdy-all ))</ref> Also, on January 5, 2011, the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission voted 5–1 in favor for preliminary approval of the arena's historic nomination status. The vote paved the way for a formal hearing on the proposed designation on March 2.<ref>((cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11006/1115882-53.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Mark | last=Belko | title=Historic panel gives a reprieve to Igloo | date=January 6, 2011))</ref> The HRC ultimately voted against landmark status on March 2. After also failing to get historic status approval from City Planning and City Council, Preservation Pittsburgh filed a federal lawsuit in another attempt to save the arena. The 3rd appeals court denied the lawsuit saying it had no jurisdiction in the matter, and demolition began Monday, September 26, 2011. The demolition was not a traditional type of demolition for sports arenas. In November 2011, the Penguins started selling Christmas ornaments crafted from the Civic Arena's steel roof. The team used the promotion to raise money for its charitable foundation. [[Grove City, Pennsylvania|Grove City]]-based [[Wendell August Forge]], the oldest and largest [[forge]] in the United States, created two types of ornaments: one with the arena and the Pittsburgh skyline and another with the arena with the Penguins' logo.<ref>((cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/allen/story/2011-11-30/nhl-civic-arena-ornaments/51509488/1 | work=USA Today | first=Kevin | last=Allen | title=Civic Arena ornament sales go through roof | date=November 30, 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308102626/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/allen/story/2011-11-30/nhl-civic-arena-ornaments/51509488/1 | archive-date=March 8, 2016 | df=mdy-all ))</ref> The Penguins had originally planned to sell 6,000 ornaments, but due to demand, the team ended selling over 40,000 pieces.<ref>((cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11337/1194546-100.stm| work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| title=Sale of Civic Arena ornaments extended| date=December 3, 2011| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203151317/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11337/1194546-100.stm| archive-date=February 3, 2012| df=mdy-all))</ref> The arena was being disassembled over time, and originally expected to be complete in May 2012. However, demolition was finished early as the last panel of the retractable roof fell down on March 31, 2012.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/home/2012/03/31/Last-two-panels-of-former-Civic-Arena-dome-demolished/stories/201203310217|title=Last two panels of former Civic Arena dome demolished|publisher=Post Gazette|author=Michael A Fuoco|date=March 31, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2019))</ref>

Currently a parking lot for [[PPG Paints Arena]] occupies the space of the former arena.

==Use as a filming/recording location==
Civic Arena has served as a filming location for several major Hollywood productions including:
*''[[The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh]]'', a 1979 basketball film starring [[Flip Wilson]], [[Stockard Channing]], and [[Julius Erving]] as members of the fictional Pittsburgh Pisces NBA team.
*''[[Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 9]]'', 1989
*''[[Sudden Death (1995 film)|Sudden Death]]'', a 1995 film starring [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]] as a retired [[Pittsburgh Fire Bureau|Pittsburgh firefighter]] who tries to save his children and the [[U.S. Vice President|Vice President]] from terrorists during the pivotal Game 7 of the [[Stanley Cup]] [[1992 Stanley Cup Finals|Finals]]. In an intermission between the game's periods, the retractable-roof is opened for a fireworks show. It is opened once more in the climax of the film by Van Damme's character.
*''[[Rock Star (2001 film)|Rock Star]]'', a 2001 film starring [[Mark Wahlberg]] as a musician heading to the Pittsburgh arena for a concert in 1987.
*''[[Zack and Miri Make a Porno]]'', a 2008 [[Kevin Smith]] film; one of the final scenes is shot outside the arena.
*''[[She's Out of My League]]'', a 2010 romantic comedy; the arena and the Pittsburgh Penguins are featured as the backdrop to a date night.

Also, the Russian movie ''[[Brother 2]]'' was filmed at the arena. According to the script, the protagonist, Danila Borgov, arrived in the United States to help his friend's brother, Penguins player Dmitry Gromov (though events of the film take place in Chicago). Notable hockey players [[Aleksei Morozov]], [[Jaromír Jágr]] and [[Darius Kasparaitis]] appeared in the movie.

The arena also served as the recording location for [[The Doors]] album ''[[Live in Pittsburgh 1970]]''.

The arena appeared on [[WQED (TV)|WQED]]'s mid-1970s national production ident.

==References==
((Reflist|30em))

==Further reading==
*((cite book |title= Professional Sports Team Histories: Hockey |last= Cooper|first= Bruce C.|editor= Michael L. LaBlanc|year= 1994|publisher= [[Gale (Cengage)|Gale Research Inc.]]|location=Detroit|isbn= 978-0-8103-8862-8))
*((cite book |title= Penguin Profiles|last= O'Brien|first= Jim|year= 1994|publisher= James P. O'Brien – Publishing|location=Pittsburgh|isbn= 0-916114-16-3))

==External links==
((Commons category|Mellon Arena))
* [http://www.reusetheigloo.org Reuse the Igloo]
* [http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=56560 Pittsburgh Penguins: Mellon Arena]
* [http://www.pgh-sea.com/mellonarena.htm Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority: Mellon Arena] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228141031/http://www.pgh-sea.com/mellonarena.htm |date=December 28, 2008 ))
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwK-wXZNSYA YouTube-WQED Pittsburgh Series with Rick Sebak on the Arena]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW7fLfPcmVA YouTube – Inside the Abandoned Pittsburgh Civic (Mellon) Arena]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120427021439/http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/bobsmizik/archive/2010/04/24/fabulous-memories-of-a-great-building.aspx Mellon Arena memories from a long-time usher/manager]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Civic+Arena,+Pittsburgh,+PA&hl=en&ll=40.44157,-79.989991&spn=0.002519,0.004613&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=42.766543,75.585938&oq=civic+arena&hq=Civic+Arena,+Pittsburgh,+PA&t=h&z=18 Civic Arena view from above]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNsDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Mechanics+Science+installing+linoleum&pg=PA114 "Retractable Dome Will Cover Arena."] ''Popular Mechanics'', January 1959, p.&nbsp;114, early article on purposed dome.
* [https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/venues/civic-arena Civic Arena 50 Years of Music -Pittsburgh Music History] ((Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927162645/https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/venues/civic-arena |date=September 27, 2013 ))
*((HABS | survey = PA-6780 | id = pa4106 | title = Civic Arena, 66 Mario Lemieux Place, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | photos = 105 | color = 2 | dwgs = 61 | data = 8 | cap = 21))

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((succession box
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((succession box
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((succession box
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((Pittsburgh sports))
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((Authority control))

[[Category:1961 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American Basketball Association venues]]
[[Category:BNY Mellon]]
[[Category:Boxing venues in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor arenas in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor ice hockey venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor lacrosse venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues]]
[[Category:Defunct retractable-roof stadiums]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1961]]
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Music venues in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Condors]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Hornets]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Panthers basketball venues]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Pipers]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1961]]
[[Category:Sports venues demolished in 2012]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Event venues on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Phantoms (RHI)]]
[[Category:Demolished sports venues in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Basketball venues in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Penguins]]

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