Mayor Denny Magruder:
Did you know? Back in the early 1990s, when you were the general manager of the Wheeling Civic Center?
Is this what you imagined when you were busy being instrumental with bringing professional hockey to your beloved city? Did you believe that one day there would be thousands of fans at ECHL playoff games wearing Wheeling jerseys? With rally towels? AND cowbells?
Did you envision all of the advertising inside the same civic center you managed for nearly 40 years? What about the variety of vendors along the concourses, the Jumbotron and video boards, the mascot making his way to every section, and the affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins?
We do know you believed the Wheeling Thunderbirds would be good for the city of Wheeling and for the longevity of the arena since the country’s most popular bands and performers upgraded to newer and bigger venues like Star Lake Amphitheatre in Burgettstown, Pa. in the late 1980s.
But you recognized the obvious, didn’t you? You knew the more the building sat empty and silent, the faster its lifespan would dwindle. But with a primary tenant, like an ECHL franchise? Sure, attendance isn’t always “loud and raucous” crowded for every game, but hey, here we are today with a very viable Wesbanco Arena, and thanks to today’s executive director, Kelly Tucker, and her staff, the big house hosts more events than ever before.
Last night the Nailers won another night of life in the Eastern Conference Finals against Florida, so – that’s right – we’ll be right back in our seats again rooting for our team.
You read that right … OUR. TEAM.
And you helped do that, and we’re grateful, sir.
Sincerely,
A Thankful Nailers Nation
p.s. LET’S GO NAILERS!!
