Pittsburgh Civic Arena Roof Open

Images of the civic arena with the retractable roof open in 1964 left and 1974.

Pittsburgh civic arena roof open.

The hydraulic jacks never functioned properly so the roof was kept permanently closed after 1994. Its roof which was supported by a 260 foot long cantilevered arm. The civic arena opened on september 17 1961 with a symphonic concert by members of the pittsburgh symphony. You could see the orange upper seats from outside.

Opening the roof would be a fitting end for the building. It was a sellout. After an extended run of the ice capades and the pittsburgh home show the first ever pop. It was crazy looking to me since it drastically changed the appearance of the arena.

1964 the beatles played their only pittsburgh show at the civic arena. Spectators watch a pittsburgh triangles tennis match under the open roof of the civic arena in 1975. They opened it partway during god bless america before an arena football pittsburgh gladiators playoff game. Constructed in 1961 for use by the pittsburgh civic light opera clo it was the brainchild of department store owner.

It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world. 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 s maximum opening would be about 75 open with the roof leaves under the support arm. 66 mario lemieux place at sunset.