Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)
Stadium Former Pittsburgh arena noted for its retractable roof
The former home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, once noted for a retractable roof; demolished in 2012, it remains a reference point for sports history and local memory.
The Civic Arena, later known as Mellon Arena, was an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that opened in 1961 and served as a major sports and events venue for the city.
The building was best known for its circular, domed profile and a retractable roof, a notable engineering feature for arenas of its era. While it no longer exists, the site was long associated with professional hockey and large concerts and was a visible element of Pittsburgh’s skyline while standing.
The arena opened in 1961 and was the home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins from the team’s arrival in 1967 until the franchise moved to a new downtown arena in 2010. The building was closed and demolished in 2011-2012 after decades of use and changing ownership and naming rights.
The arena sat in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District immediately north of the city’s downtown core, on the rising ground above the Allegheny River. The site is within the urban core of Pittsburgh and was directly adjacent to other sports and civic facilities.
- Nickname and roof: The arena's distinctive domed structure had a retractable roof and was commonly nicknamed the "Igloo" during its use as a sports venue.
- Capacity: Seating capacity for hockey and similar events was about 16,000 spectators.
How to Get to Civic Arena (Pittsburgh) #
The Civic Arena site is in central Pittsburgh (the downtown/Lower Hill area) and is within walking distance of downtown transit hubs. Pittsburgh Regional Transit light rail (“the T”) and numerous Port Authority buses serve downtown; the arena site is a short walk from central downtown stations.
From Pittsburgh International Airport the site is roughly 20 miles by road (typically about 30-40 minutes by car or taxi, depending on traffic).
Tips for Visiting Civic Arena (Pittsburgh) #
- The Civic Arena (the Mellon Arena or 'Igloo') was demolished in 2012; there is no arena to tour-visit the North Shore site to see where it stood and combine that with nearby attractions such as PNC Park and the riverside walk.
- If you're researching its history, plan to visit local museums (e.g., Heinz History Center) or the Carnegie Library archives in Pittsburgh for photographs and exhibits rather than expecting an on-site visitor experience.
Best Time to Visit Civic Arena (Pittsburgh) #
The Civic Arena (Mellon Arena) was demolished in 2012; there is no standing indoor arena to visit.
Weather & Climate near Civic Arena (Pittsburgh) #
Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)'s climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (963 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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