Pittsburgh Civic Arena Roof Open

Constructed in 1961 for use by the pittsburgh civic light opera clo it was the brainchild of department store owner.

Pittsburgh civic arena roof open. Images of the civic arena with the retractable roof open in 1964 left and 1974. The civic arena opened on september 17 1961 with a symphonic concert by members of the pittsburgh symphony. After an extended run of the ice capades and the pittsburgh home show the first ever pop. Its roof which was supported by a 260 foot long cantilevered arm.

66 mario lemieux place at sunset. It was a sellout. 1964 the beatles played their only pittsburgh show at the civic arena. The hydraulic jacks never functioned properly so the roof was kept permanently closed after 1994.

It was opened for the arena s first act an ice capades show on sept. The building was constructed in 1961 for use by the pittsburgh civic light opera at a cost of 22 million which would equal 171 million in 2012 dollars. It s maximum opening would be about 75 open with the roof leaves under the support arm. Opening the roof would be a fitting end for the building.

It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world. You could see the orange upper seats from outside. They opened it partway during god bless america before an arena football pittsburgh gladiators playoff game. It was crazy looking to me since it drastically changed the appearance of the arena.