Keep the arena intact - here or elsewhere

Regarding the June 9 editorial "Reality Trumps Fantasy" about Mellon Arena: The only reason the Igloo roof doesn't retract is because the Penguins hung a jumbotron from it instead of building a separate support system; otherwise it would still be working.

But enough fantasy and back to reality. What does lack of a developer have to do with keeping the Igloo? If lack of a developer were the acid test, then we wouldn't have two new stadiums or a new convention center, would we? It is obvious that those in charge don't want to keep the Igloo and conjure up any type of justification. Architect Rob Pfaffmann has some good ideas, but, unfortunately, he is up against the entrenched establishment, the Penguins and Hill residents who are still bitter from being betrayed when it was built.

So be it, but the Igloo doesn't belong just to the Hill residents - it belongs to all of Western Pennsylvania.

So what I suggest is that we just move it to another location. I have been told it is not feasible to move it. Well, then, this is not the Pittsburgh of the past, which moved entire bridges along the river. It's steel, it's already in sections, so any person with a little common sense knows it can be moved - and relatively cheaply, I might add.

If we can't find a place to put it here, then put it up for sale on eBay. What have you got to lose? You can make some money on the deal to boot. Wherever it ends up will be a new vacation spot for Pittsburghers. Hopefully it doesn't end up in China because I don't particularly care for Chinese food.

TOM GALOWNIA
Cecil