Cambria County War Memorial Arena
| Location |
326 Napoleon Street Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901 |
|---|---|
| Operator | SMG |
| Capacity | 4,001 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1948 |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Construction cost | $7 million |
| Tenants | |
|
Johnstown Jets (NAHL) (1950–1977) Johnstown Wings (NEHL) (1978-1979) Saint Francis Red Flash (NCAA) (1970-1972) Johnstown Red Wings (EHL) (1979-1980) Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) (1987–2010) Johnstown Jackals (IFL) (2000) Johnstown J-Dogs (NIFL) (2001) Johnstown Riverhawks (AIFL) (2005–2007) Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) (2010–2012) Johnstown Generals (UIFL) (2011–2012) Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) (2012–present) | |
The Cambria County War Memorial Arena is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that is managed by SMG Entertainment. It was built in 1950, for the Johnstown Jets of the Eastern Hockey League. The film Slap Shot, based on the Jets, was filmed in this arena.[1] The arena was the home of the Johnstown Chiefs (Ice hockey) for 22 years, but they were relocated in 2010 to Greenville, South Carolina. A banner was hung at the final home game on April 4, 2010 stating "The Greatest Fans in Hockey." It was the alternate venue of the Wheeling Nailers for the next two seasons. The arena is home to the Johnstown Tomahawks of the NAHL and the Pitt-Johnstown Ice Cats of the College Hockey East.
Events
The arena plays host to a variety of events throughout the year. Showcase For Commerce, held annually, is one of the largest business and industry trade shows in the nation and a nationally renowned defense contracting exhibition. Many local high schools and youth leagues also use the arena for their games. The arena hosts the annual PIAA Southwest Regional Wrestling Tournament, the Pennsylvania Cheerleading Championships, and basketball championship games for PIAA District 6 and the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. The arena has featured political rallies with Presidents John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Senator John Edwards. Performances at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena have included recording artists Kiss (band), Alice Cooper, Blue Öyster Cult, Foghat, Boston, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Bob Dylan, Brad Paisley, 98 Degrees, Matchbox Twenty, Brooks & Dunn, Bruce Springsteen, Josh Turner, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Lonestar, Martina McBride, MercyMe, Meredith Andrews, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Sara Evans, REO Speedwagon, Judas Priest, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie, Skillet, Styx, TobyMac, Trace Adkins and Willie Nelson. Other events have included Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney On Ice, Sesame Street Live, Harlem Globetrotters, comedy shows featuring Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Dunham, and WWE SmackDown Wrestling.
Teams
The Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League moved into the War Memorial for the 2012-13 hockey season.
The other primary tenant at the arena, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Icecats hockey team, is currently the longest-serving tenant at the arena, having played at the arena since 2009.
With the Chiefs' relocation, their former archrivals Wheeling Nailers played one pre-season game and ten regular season games in the Arena during the 2010-11 ECHL season, and ten more games at the Arena during the 2011-12 ECHL season.
Renovations
In 2002, a $16.2 million grant from the commonwealth was approved for an entertainment complex in downtown Johnstown. As part of the grant, the Cambria County War Memorial Arena has undergone an $8 million renovation. Renovations included new seating, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, dasher boards, an elevator to the second floor, and general building enhancements. The project was completed in August 2003. The arena capacity for hockey is 4,001
Hockeyville
In 2015 the Cambria County War Memorial Arena was nominated to the top 10 of the first ever Kraft Hockeyville USA contest with Pullar Stadium (Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan), HealthyZone Rink (East Aurora, New York), Highgate Sports Arena (Highgate, Vermont), and the Quincy Youth Arena (Quincy, Massachusetts). With winning round 1 the War Memorial moved to round 2 with Pullar Stadium. Johnstown won round 2 also with advancing to the Finals against Decatur Civic Center (Decatur, Illinois). In the final round, Johnstown won and the War Memorial was given $150,000 in upgrades and hosted an NHL Preseason Game on September 29th, 2015. The match up included the Pittsburgh Penguins defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-2.[2]
References
- ↑ The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Capturing the spirit of "Slap Shot" ... 30 years later
- ↑ "Johnstown, PA wins title of first-ever "Kraft Hockeyville USA"". NHL.comk. May 2, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
External links
Coordinates: 40°19′23″N 78°55′22″W / 40.32296°N 78.922654°W