Cambria County War Memorial Arena
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Location | 326 Napoleon Street Johnstown, PA 15901 |
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Operator | SMG |
Capacity | 4,001 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1948 |
Opened | 1950 |
Construction cost | $7 million |
Tenants | |
Johnstown Jets (NAHL) (1950–1977) Johnstown Wings (NEHL)(1978-79) Johnstown Red Wings (EHL)(1979-80) Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) (1987–2010) Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) (2010–2012) Johnstown Generals (UIFL) (2011–2012) Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL) (2012–future) |
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 has been home to the Johnstown Generals of the UIFL since the league's ignaugural season in 2011. It will be home to the Johnstown Tomahawks of the NAHL starting in 2012.
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 President George W. Bush, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Senator John Edwards. Performances at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena have included recording artists Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, 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, 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 Tribune-Democrat announced in May 2010 that the War Memorial would be the home of a team playing in the Ultimate Indoor Football League for their inaugural season. The name for the team was released via a press conference at the War Memorial on July 29, 2010. The Johnstown Generals are be the 4th team to call the War Memorial their home.
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 Johnstown Chiefs relocation, the Wheeling Nailers played one pre-season game and ten regular season games in the Arena during the 2010-11 ECHL season to bring hockey back to the fans in Johnstown. The rest of their games were be played in Wesbanco Arena. The Nailers played ten more games at the Arena during the 2011-12 ECHL season.
The Johnstown Wings, a junior A hockey team, will once again play hockey in the area. The Continental Junior Hockey League announced the team's name. Other teams in the league are located in Erie, PA, Indiana, PA, Syracuse, NY and Niagara, Ontario.
The Wings will play at the arena's sister facility, the North Central Recreation Center in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.
As previously mentioned, the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League, will be moving into the War Memorial for the 2012-13 hockey season.
Renovations
In 2002 a 16.2 million-dollar 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-dollar 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