| Consol Energy Center | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1001 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| Broke ground | August 14, 2008 |
| Built | August 2008 – August 2010 |
| Opened | August 18, 2010 |
| Owner | Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County |
| Operator | Pittsburgh Arena Operating LP/SMG |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Scoreboard | 15x25 Mitsubishi "Black-Packaged LED" |
| Construction cost | USD $ 321 million ($328 million in 2012 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Populous (formerly HOK Sport)[2] |
| Project Manager | Oxford Development |
| Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti/Raudenbush |
| General Contractor | Hunt Construction Group[3] |
| Main contractors | Pittsburgh Arena Development, LP |
| Capacity | 18,387 (Ice hockey) 19,000 (Basketball) 14,536 (End stage) 19,758 (Center stage)[2] |
| Field dimensions | 720,000 square feet (67,000 m2) |
| Tenants | |
| Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) (2010–present) Pittsburgh Power (AFL) (2011–present) |
|
Consol Energy Center is an arena in the Uptown area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania near the intersection of Interstate 376 and Interstate 579. The arena is home to both the Pittsburgh Penguins, the city's National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, as well as the Arena Football League's Pittsburgh Power, which began play in 2011. Construction was completed on August 1, 2010,[4] and opened in time for the 2010–11 NHL season.[5] The arena replaced the Penguins' former arena, Mellon Arena (currently known as Civic Arena), which was completed in 1961. A ceremonial ground-breaking was held on August 14, 2008. The arena is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-certified arena in both the NHL and AFL.[6] As soon as the center opened it was lauded as one of the best arenas in the world, winning both for "Best New Major Concert Venue" [3] and the best NHL arena [4] for 2010-11. The arena is named for Consol Energy, which purchased the naming rights in December 2008.
Contents |
The Lemieux Group explored options to build a replacement for Pittsburgh Civic Arena, the oldest arena in the NHL, since its purchase of the Penguins in 1999.[7] In an attempt not to use public funding, the Penguins filed for a slots license under the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The Penguins were granted the license, though the decision of which casino company would receive approval was the Gaming Control Board's decision.[8] The Lemieux Group reached an agreement with Isle of Capri Casinos, which offered to fully fund a US$290 million arena, if Capri could also construct a $500 million casino nearby.[8] Other casinos, including Majestic Star Casino and Forest City Enterprises, also agreed to partially contribute to the arena's funding.[9] On December 20, 2006, the Gaming Control Board awarded the license to Majestic Star Casino, who agreed to pay $7.5 million for the first 30 years,[10] in addition to the Penguins paying $4 million per year.[11][12] The casino experienced financial difficulty, which could have led to taxpayers financing the entire project. However, on August 14, 2008 the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board selected Neil Bluhm to take ownership of the casinos, which pulled the casinos out of risk of bankruptcy.[13]
The arena's funding plan was agreed upon by Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell on March 13, 2007, after much negotiation.[14] During negotiations, the Penguins explored moving the franchise to Kansas City or Las Vegas; after the deal was made the Penguins agreed to stay in Pittsburgh for at least thirty more years.[14] Lemieux later stated that relocating the franchise was never a possibility, but instead it was a negotiation tactic to help the team get funding for the arena from both state and local officials.[15] The arena was originally scheduled to open for the 2009–10 NHL season; however, this was pushed back to the 2010–11 NHL season.[16][17] The arena was expected to cost approximately $290 million, but rose to $321 million due to increased cost of steel and insurance.[18][19] The Penguins agreed to pay $3.8 million per year toward construction, with an additional $400,000 per year toward capital improvements.[14] After $31 million cost rise, the Penguins pledged an additional $15.5 million, while the State and Sports and Exhibition Authority split the difference.[18][19] In September 2009, the State contributed an additional $5.08 million from the "Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund" to cover a rising "interest on variable rate bonds".[20]
The arena is expected to help the surrounding area grow financially; plans are in place to construct a bar and a grocery store nearby.[21][22] In October 2008, the Penguins reached an agreement with the Horizon Properties Group to build a 135-room hotel adjacent to the arena.[23][24] A "nationally-franchised hotel" is expected to open in August 2010.[23] A 15-foot montage of pictures inspired by the works of August Wilson will be created for Fifth and Centre Avenues.[25]
Populous, formerly HOK Sport, designers of PNC Park and Heinz Field, designed the building, while the ICON Venue group and Oxford Development oversaw the building of the arena.[26] More than a dozen buildings were razed in order to create room for the new arena.[27] On April 8, 2008, Populous presented design renderings to the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission, receiving negative feedback.[5] Local architect Rob Pfaffmann went so far as to say, "If I put a Home Depot sign on that, it looks like a Home Depot."[5] Populous returned on May 6 with new plans, which were unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission.[28][29]
"This is going to be, technologically, one of the most advanced buildings in the country."
The Penguins have contacted the Pittsburgh Technology Council, which includes 1,400 businesses, in order to find new technologies to implement into the arena's design.[31] On demand replays from touch-screens will be available in luxury suites, while "Yinz Cam"—a system developed by Carnegie Mellon University students—will allow any fans to view instant replays from multiple angles on their cell phones.[30] The arena's capacity will be 18,087 for hockey, in honor of Sidney Crosby's number 87,[7] and 19,000 for basketball games.[32] The venue will hold 14,536 to 19,758 for concerts, depending on the layout. The venue will also include 2,000 box seats and 66 suites, in honor of Mario Lemieux's number 66.[32] Ticket prices will range from $115,000 to $150,000 per season for luxury boxes to individual game tickets at $22.[33] Ken Sawyer, Penguins' chief executive officer, has asked that the interior be modeled after Jobing.com Arena in Phoenix.[34] "I was just taken aback by their seats," said Sawyer, "Even when I was up in a high level, I had a great view."[34] NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called the building "very well designed."[35] Bettman liked the size of the concourses and the view offered of Pittsburgh's skyline.[35]
Mario Lemieux along with officials from the state and local governments ceremonially broke ground on a new hockey arena on August 14, 2008.[36] Shovels, with shafts made from team captain Sidney Crosby's used hockey sticks, were used for the ground-breaking ceremony.[37][38] Erection of structural steel took place from January 2009[34] to August 2009.[39]
The arena is named for Consol Energy, the largest producer of bituminous coal in the United States,[40] which signed a 21-year agreement with the Penguins in December 2008.[41] Secondary sponsors of the arena will be PNC Wealth Management, UPMC, Verizon, American Eagle Outfitters, and Dick's Sporting Goods, the last three being existing sponsors carrying over from the Civic Arena.[42]
Consol Energy Center is one of the only major sports venues whose soft drink contract isn't with Coca-Cola or Pepsi. (Coca-Cola previously held the contract with Civic Arena.) Instead, Dr Pepper Snapple Group holds a contract, and serves its own products such as RC Cola, Diet Rite, Cherikee Red, and Sunkist Orange Soda, in addition to its more popular brands such as Dr Pepper, 7 Up, and A&W Root Beer that are typically sold alongside Coke or Pepsi products in other venues. As Heinz Field sells Coke products and PNC Park sells Pepsi products, this makes Pittsburgh's three major sporting venues each selling different soft drinks.[43]
Team owner Mario Lemieux and captain Sidney Crosby officially christened the new ice on July 27, 2010, the same day as the official press conference to announce the 2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field. The two skated for about five minutes before being joined on the ice by a group of young hockey fans all wearing Lemieux's #66 or Crosby's #87 jerseys.[44]
The Penguins opened the arena with a preseason game on September 22, 2010 with a 5–1 win over the rival Detroit Red Wings. Penguins' forward Mike Comrie scored the very first goal in the new arena, 81 seconds into the game.[45] The team also added a third home preseason game to the schedule. Team president David Morehouse said, "Our feeling is that more fans will want the chance to see and experience Consol Energy Center, so we thought it made sense to add the third preseason home game."[46]
The Penguins officially opened the building on October 7, 2010 against their cross-state rivals Philadelphia Flyers, with the Penguins falling 3–2. The first goal was scored by the Flyers forward Daniel Brière at 2:51 in the 2nd period, a power play goal. The first Penguin goal was scored by forward Tyler Kennedy 44 seconds into the 3rd period. The stars of the game were awarded to Kennedy, Claude Giroux and Flyers rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who made 29 of 31 saves in his NHL debut.[47] The Penguins earned their first win at the arena on October 15, 2010 against the New York Islanders, prevailing on an overtime power-play goal by defenseman Alex Goligoski. It was also the first overtime game at the new arena. Goaltender Brent Johnson earned the win for the Penguins, making 22 saves.[48] The first playoff game in the Consol Energy Center was against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 13, 2011. The first playoff goal in the building was scored by Alex Kovalev. The Penguins would go on to win the first playoff game by a score of 3–0. Marc-Andre Fleury had a 32 save shutout. The Penguins would go on to lose in seven games. [49]
On July 13, 2010, the arena was selected to host the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four, scheduled for April 11 and 13, 2013. The Penguins along with Robert Morris University will mark the first NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey championship held in the state of Pennsylvania and also the first major team sport in NCAA history to hold its national championship game in the city of Pittsburgh. "We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to host the 2013 Frozen Four at the Consol Energy Center," RMU head men's ice hockey coach Derek Schooley said. "The Frozen Four will be a major showcase for the city of Pittsburgh as well as our emerging hockey program. This is one of the NCAA's premier events, and Robert Morris and the city of Pittsburgh will be an excellent host."[50]
The first collegiate event at the Consol Energy Center was the fifth-annual College Hockey Showcase on October 17, 2010, hosted by Robert Morris. In the events first game the Lady Colonials were defeated by the women's Northeastern Huskies, 4–3. The Colonials ACHA club team beat Pitt 6–4. In the arena's first NCAA men's game, the Colonials men's team defeated Air Force, 3–2.[51]
In conjunction with the 2011 NHL Winter Classic, held on January 1 at nearby Heinz Field, a collegiate game and an American Hockey League game were contested at the Consol Energy Center on December 30, 2010. The first game matched the RIT Tigers men's ice hockey team against the Robert Morris Colonials; RIT won 4–3. The second game matched the top-level affiliates of the two Winter Classic teams (the Penguins and the Washington Capitals), the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hershey Bears; the Bears won 1–0.
Both the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University have dedicated locker rooms in the arena for use by the schools' basketball teams.[52] Both the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University made their first appearance on December 1, 2010 in the City Game, the first ever basketball game hosted in the venue. A neutral venue, Pitt was designated as the home team for the game,[53] which the Panthers won 80–66. The first points at the arena were made by Duquesne freshman guard T. J. McConnell, with a basket at 27 seconds into the game.[54]
The arena hosted the 2010 SEC/Big East Invitational with Auburn University vs. Rutgers University and University of Pittsburgh men's basketball team vs. Tennessee, Pitt's second appearance at the Consol. The games were televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN respectively. Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon stated, "We're going to try to play there [Consol Energy Center] as much as possible."[55]
Duquesne University will host 3 home games on December 12 versus West Virginia University, University of Dayton on January 30, 2011, and Xavier University on February 13, 2011.[56] Duquesne University will host first and second round games of the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament at the arena on March 15 & 17, 2012. It will be the fourth time Duquesne plays host to games in the NCAA Tournament, previously doing so in 1997, 2001 (women's) and 2002 all at Consol's predecessor Civic Arena. "Duquesne University is proud to bring one of the premier sporting events in the nation back to Pittsburgh," said DU Athletics Director Greg Amodio. "We look forward to working with the city of Pittsburgh and the state-of-the-art Consol Energy Center in putting on a first class event."[57]
The arena has been mentioned by National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern as a possible future home for an NBA franchise should one move to Pittsburgh.[58]
The Arena Football League considered starting an expansion team in the arena,[59] but the league folded in August 2009.[60] However, after a two-year hiatus, the AFL returned and has also considered an expansion team in Pittsburgh.[61] On August 19, 2010, news sources reported that the Consol Energy Center will be the home of the Pittsburgh Power, which began play in the spring of 2011. The team's ownership group will include former Pittsburgh Steelers and National Football League Hall of Famer Lynn Swann. Pittsburgh will be the 5th city added for the 2011 AFL season, joining the San Jose SaberCats, Kansas City Command (formerly the Brigade), New Orleans VooDoo and Philadelphia Soul – who were all previous members of the Arena Football League.[62]
The arena opened on August 18, 2010, with a performance by Paul McCartney.[63] The demand for the first show was so great that tickets sold out within five minutes of going on sale. This prompted the addition of a second show, a day later on August 19.[64] Originally, Pittsburgh's own Christina Aguilera was planning to open the arena on August 3, 2010. Due to conflicts with construction, Aguilera canceled her show.
Other performers during the arena's first month included Lady Gaga, Roger Waters and Rush. George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Lee Ann Womack performed at the arena on October 14, 2010.
WWE made its debut at the arena with the WWE SmackDown World Tour on December 27, 2010. Elton John played the arena on March 23, 2011 to a sold out crowd during his Union Tour. WWE Raw made its debut at the arena on March 21, 2011. It will also be the host of WWE Night of Champions on September 16, 2012. Bon Jovi played two straight sold-out shows on February 11th and 12th, 2011. Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy performed on April 22, 2011 for an upcoming CMT special. Britney Spears is also scheduled to perform at the arena on August 19, 2011 for her "Femme Fatale tour". Jeff Dunham will be performing on December 31, 2011. The 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be held at the arena on June 22-23, 2012. [65]
Justified, an FX television drama that debuted in March 2010, used the Center's final construction phase as a filming location to depict the "new Federal Courthouse" on the show.[66]
