Visit The Consol Energy Center The New Home Of The Pittsburgh Penguins

By Author: William Hauselberg
Total Articles: 816
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At the start of the 2010-2011 hockey season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have moved into their new home, the Consol Energy Center. The brand new arena is located across the street from the Penguins old stomping grounds, the Mellon Arena.

A Long Time Coming

When Mario Lemieux and his group of investors acquired the Penguins in 1999, they were promised a new arena to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. The promise was kept, and ground was broken for the building on August 14, 2008. With main entrance gates located on Centre Avenue and Fifth Avenue, the structure cost an estimated $321 million to build.

The Consol Energy Center seats 18,087 hockey fans, 19,100 basketball fans, and 20,000 fans for a center stage performance. All seats in the center provide unobstructed views of the ice, something the old Mellon Arena could never claim. The center offers 1,950 Club Seats and 263 Loge Box Seats. There is also an impressive executive club level that accommodates four over-sized party suites for unsurpassed luxury.

Featuring an open concourse, it is impossible to miss one moment of action on the ice. Each level ...
... is ADA Accessible, and housed with family restrooms. The enormous HD center-ice scoreboard is magnificent for viewing the game and replay action. Located throughout the center are over 800 HD Televisions.

To accommodate hockey paraphernalia shoppers, located on the main concourse is a 4,000 square foot Pittsburgh Penguins store. There are also several other stores located throughout the center.

When bringing the entire family to a hockey game, take advantage of one of the hotels near the Consol Energy Center. At the game, be sure to take the kids to check out the Highmark Kid's Zone and Highmark Wall of Champions. Located in the main concourse, the Highmark Kid's Zone contains a play area with interactive activities that will be sure to please even the youngest of hockey fans. Adjacent to the Highmark Kid's Zone is the Highmark Wall of Champions. This two-story display of Western Pennsylvania hockey is certainly a sight to behold.

The Lap of Luxury

The home and visitor locker rooms are also the epitome of luxury. The new locker rooms are spacious and provide the latest advances in technology. The players' fitness rooms now provide more training equipment and hot and cold spas for the players. There also is a carpeted 25-yard sprinting track for the players to use to warm-up before games. Finally, the Penguins have their own luxury players lounge complete with several HD televisions and a bubble hockey game. When you come for a game, spend the night and take advantage of the luxurious downtown Pittsburgh lodging available to out of town guests.

When it comes to hotels near the Consol Energy Center there are many specialties to list. The author of this article is in close association with the best downtown Pittsburgh lodging as well.