Consol Energy Center's Evolution To Ppg Paints Arena

when did consol energy center become ppg paints arena

The Consol Energy Center, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, was renamed PPG Paints Arena in 2016. PPG Industries purchased the naming rights from Consol Energy, which had originally signed a 21-year agreement with the Penguins in December 2008. The Consol Energy Center was completed in 2010 and replaced the Penguins' former arena, the Civic Arena (formerly known as the Mellon Arena). The new arena was designed to be a state-of-the-art venue for athletic events, concerts, and family shows in Western Pennsylvania, hosting more than 150 events annually.

Characteristics Values
Original name CONSOL Energy Center
Year of renaming 2016
New name PPG Paints Arena
Year of completion 2010
Year of groundbreaking 2008
Location Uptown neighborhood, Pittsburgh, PA
Capacity 18,387
Number of levels 6
Square footage 720,000
Number of luxury suites 66
Number of club seats 2,000
Number of loge box seats 236
Number of escalators 11
Number of video screens 4

cypaint

Consol Energy Inc. signed a 21-year naming rights agreement in 2008

The Consol Energy Center, now known as the PPG Paints Arena, was the result of a naming rights agreement between Consol Energy Inc. and the Pittsburgh Penguins. On December 15, 2008, Consol Energy Inc. signed a 21-year naming rights agreement, giving the new building the name Consol Energy Center. The agreement was a significant development for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had committed to staying in Pittsburgh until at least 2040 with the construction of a new arena.

The Consol Energy Center replaced the Penguins' former home, the Civic Arena (formerly known as Mellon Arena), which was the oldest venue in the NHL, having been completed in 1961. The new arena was designed to be more inviting and showcase the energy and electricity inside during events. It was expected to be completed before the 2010-2011 season, and the Penguins opened the arena with a preseason game on September 22, 2010.

The Consol Energy Center is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, across from Duquesne University. It has a seating capacity of 18,387 and features state-of-the-art design elements, including multiple video screens, LED ribbon boards, and excellent acoustics. The arena has hosted numerous notable events, including the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four, and various concerts.

In October 2016, PPG Industries purchased the naming rights from Consol Energy, and the arena was renamed PPG Paints Arena. Despite the name change, Consol Energy remained a corporate sponsor of the Penguins in a lesser role. The PPG Paints Arena continues to be a prominent entertainment venue in Western Pennsylvania, hosting over 150 events annually and attracting national collegiate tournaments.

cypaint

The Pittsburgh Penguins committed to Pittsburgh until 2040

The Consol Energy Center, now known as the PPG Paints Arena, is a leading entertainment venue and the regional epicenter for athletic events, concerts, and family shows in Western Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Penguins, an NHL team, play their home games at the PPG Paints Arena.

On September 19, 2007, the Penguins signed a 30-year lease that committed them to staying in Pittsburgh until 2040. The Pittsburgh City Planning Commission approved the new plans for the arena on May 6, 2008, and construction began. The Consol Energy Center was completed before the 2010-2011 season.

The Consol Energy Center replaced the Mellon Arena, the NHL's oldest venue. The new arena was designed by the Penguins and HOK Sport, who made changes to the original design after feedback from the Commission officials, who had said it was "too cold and uninviting". The new design showcased the building at night, with an atrium in the front allowing people to see inside during events and offering views of the city skyscape.

On December 15, 2008, Consol Energy Inc. signed a 21-year naming rights agreement, naming the building the Consol Energy Center. The Penguins sold out all 66 suites and 32 loge boxes for the inaugural season. The official opening act at the Consol Energy Center was Paul McCartney.

cypaint

PPG Industries purchased naming rights in 2016

The Consol Energy Center was renamed the PPG Paints Arena in 2016. The Pittsburgh City Planning Commission approved new plans for the arena on May 6, 2008, and the Consol Energy Center opened in 2010. The Consol Energy Center replaced the Civic Arena (formerly known as Mellon Arena), which was completed in 1961.

Consol Energy Inc. signed a 21-year naming rights agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 15, 2008. The arena was originally named for Consol Energy, the largest producer of bituminous coal in the United States. However, on October 4, 2016, PPG Industries purchased the naming rights from Consol as the company was struggling financially due to low energy prices. Consol remained a corporate sponsor of the Penguins in a lesser role.

The PPG Paints Arena is home to the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and has hosted more than 150 events per year, including athletic events, concerts, and family shows. The arena was the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-certified arena in both the NHL and AFL. It has a capacity of 18,387 and features six levels, 66 luxury suites, 2,000 club seats, 236 loge box seats, one full-service restaurant, and 11 escalators. The arena also features four video screens, two circular displays for advertisements or fan encouragement, and a pair of LED ribbon boards.

The PPG Paints Arena has hosted several notable events, including the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four, the first and second rounds of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, and the 2011 NHL Winter Classic. The Penguins opened the arena with a pre-season game on September 22, 2010, with a 5–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The arena also served as the home of the Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball team for several games during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons while their regular arena was under construction.

cypaint

The Civic Arena closed in 2010

The Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, also known as the Mellon Arena, closed on June 26, 2010. The arena was the oldest and third smallest in the NHL by official capacity when it closed, seating fewer people than the Islanders and Oilers arenas.

The Civic Arena opened on September 17, 1961, and was originally budgeted to cost $19 million, but a change in plans to include a retractable roof drove the price up to $21.7 million. The Pittsburgh Hornets played their first game at the arena on October 14, 1961, in front of 9,317 fans. The Civic Arena hosted numerous events over the years, including concerts, the circus, political and religious rallies, roller derbies, hockey games, basketball games, and boxing matches. The arena was even used as the backdrop for several major Hollywood films, most notably the 1995 film Sudden Death.

In its later years, the arena's staff had to use space for multiple purposes that were not intended in the building's original design. The Pittsburgh Penguins played their last game at the Civic Arena on May 12, 2010, losing 5-2 to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. The final WWE event at the arena was a Monday Night Raw episode on May 10, 2010.

The Penguins had already agreed to a deal with city and state officials to fund a new home arena in March 2007, and construction on the new Consol Energy Center began in 2008. The naming rights for the Civic Arena expired on August 1, 2010, and the arena officially closed soon after. The Penguins moved across the street to the new Consol Energy Center, now known as the PPG Paints Arena, which has a higher seating capacity and a standard seating layout.

cypaint

The Consol Energy Center opened in 2010

The Consol Energy Center was the result of a partnership between the Pittsburgh Penguins and real estate developer Horizon Properties Group. On September 20, 2007, the Penguins formally signed a lease committing them to staying in Pittsburgh until at least 2040. On December 15, 2008, Consol Energy Inc. signed a 21-year naming rights agreement, securing the name Consol Energy Center for the new building.

The Consol Energy Center was designed by the Penguins and HOK Sport, with a focus on showcasing the building at night and creating an inviting atmosphere. The arena features an atrium in the front, allowing passersby to see the energy and excitement inside during events. It has a capacity of 18,387 and offers six luxury suites, 2,000 club seats, and 236 loge box seats. It also includes one full-service restaurant and 11 escalators.

Soon after its opening in 2010, the Consol Energy Center was named the "Best New Major Concert Venue" in the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards and the "Best NHL Arena" in the Sports Business Journal reader poll. The arena hosted its first NHL game on September 22, 2010, with the Penguins winning 5-1 against the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins forward Mike Comrie scored the first goal in the new arena, just 81 seconds into the game.

In October 2016, the arena's name was changed to PPG Paints Arena after PPG Industries purchased the naming rights from Consol Energy. Despite the name change, Consol Energy remained a corporate sponsor of the Penguins in a lesser role.

Frequently asked questions

The Consol Energy Center was previously known as the Civic Arena, and before that, the Mellon Arena.

The Consol Energy Center became the PPG Paints Arena in October 2016 when PPG Industries purchased the naming rights.

Consol Energy wanted to get out of the naming rights deal due to financial struggles caused by low energy prices.

The secondary sponsors of the PPG Paints Arena are PNC Wealth Management, UPMC, Verizon, American Eagle Outfitters, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment