The Spectrum To Be Torn Down

Well, I’m back after being away for the past 2 weeks, and I came home to some pretty big news. It’s official, America’s Showplace, The Spectrum, is coming down after 42 years. The demolition will be scheduled to happen after the upcoming hockey and soccer seasons.

Earlier this year, Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider and President Peter Luukko announced Philly Live!, a “destination retail, dining and entertainment area adjacent to the Wachovia Center.” At the time, the fate of the Spectrum was said to be undecided, but plans showed it was probably going to be replaced.

One of the reasons given to demolish the Spectrum was that, as an aging building, much needed renovations could be too costly.

Ed Snider has made it no secret that the Spectrum holds a special place in his heart. Interviews regarding this week’s announcement reflect those emotions.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” said Snider. “The Spectrum is my baby. It’s one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, but after a lot of thinking and discussions, we all feel it is in our best interest to close the Spectrum at the conclusion of the upcoming 2008-09 Philadelphia Phantoms and Kixx seasons.”

There are plans in the works to have a Flyers preseason game and Sixers regular season game back in the old building. The Flyers have a season ticket holder base larger than the Spectrum’s capacity, the reason for a preseason game and not a regular season game. We can also expect to hear about other special events that will be held.

I, like many, have countless memories of the Spectrum. When I was younger, I would go down with my Dad on game days and collect autographs from the players as they would arrive. So while I am excited to see what the future holds, I am sad to see the building go. I am definitely going to grab tickets to a few Phantoms games this season to see the Spectrum in action one last time.