In case you have been living under a rock for the last month or so, the next Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises” film will be filmed in Pittsburgh this summer. That’s right that means that the “Batmobile” will be cruising the streets of Pittsburgh and Batman will be jumping from buildings. The other big rumor coming from this film is that the Civic Arena, formally known as Mellon Arena, could be used for an explosion scene in the epic sequel. Blowing up the Igloo? Yes this is only a rumor but they will not just be blowing up a random building, they would be blowing up a piece of Pittsburgh history.For the last year since the Penguins moved into the Consol Energy Center, the topic of what to do with the Igloo has been the talk of the town. Many people and groups have tried to come up with ideas for keeping the Igloo and reusing it and city officials have wanted to knock the building down and rebuild. To be rebuilt or not to be rebuilt? That is the question. If the rumors of blowing up the Igloo are true, it would be killing two birds with one stone for the city. They will not have to knock it down and they will have the space to develop.My take on this matter is that the city should try and keep the Igloo standing and reuse it. The plan for the 5-acre land that the Igloo sits on is to build apartments, a shopping complex, and possibly a park. Being a Downtown resident for the last four years, I think that it would be a great idea to extend Downtown and be able to offer something like that, but not for the price of knocking it down. Though I am not a “Pittsburgher”, I have a lot of great memories in the Igloo and it kills me to think that the silver globe will not be there one day. I had the chance to see bad hockey during the Rico Fata days and great hockey with the Sidney Crosby era. It was the home for Penguins hockey for more than 40 years and was also home to guys like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Crosby, and the many that played during the late sixties and seventies. It also witnessed three Stanley Cup victories.Now that I have been to the Consol Energy Center a few times this season it is a major step up from the Igloo, but the memories of seeing great hockey at the Igloo are unforgettable.We will have to wait and see if the rumors are true that Batman wants to blow up the Igloo and I know it will be cool to see that happen especially for a movie like this. It has had its share of big screen moments in movies such as She’s Out of My League, and did have action star Jean Claude Van Damme in the film Sudden Death jump through its open roof. It has had its time in history, sports and on the big screen and getting blown up by Batman might be the best way to go.Your time is up in the penalty box, you can head back onto the ice.
Holy Igloo, Batman!
Written By Doug Andiorio
June 29, 2016
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