Penguins Break Ground On New Arena

Despite all of the problems with the construction of the North Shore Casino, the construction of the new hockey arena in Pittsburgh is on schedule.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new $290 million arena was held Thursday at the site across from the Mellon Arena between Centre and Fifth avenues.

On-hand for the groundbreaking was Gov. Ed Rendell, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

The groundbreaking took place on what would "center ice" of the new facility.

The new arena is slated to open for the 2010 hockey season. However, part of the funding for the project is supposed to come from the North Shore Casino.

Even though that project has been temporarily put on hold, Lemieux said earlier this week that the new arena project is still on schedule.

"Everything is all tied down from our end, so hopefully that gets resolved pretty quickly," Lemieux said. "But as far as the building is concerned, everything is on schedule."

The Penguins agreed to pay $3.8 million a year, and the owner of the North Shore Casino is expected to pitch in $7.5 million a year for 30 years for the construction of the new arena.

"I think it's going to be great for the city and the region being able to attract bigger acts," said Lemieux. "I think it's going to be good for all of us, the entire community."

The new arena will seat more than 18,000 fans and will include a 500-car parking garage and surface parking lot.