The Rostraver Ice Garden has hosted local sporting events, (mainly hockey) and concerts, since it’s opening in 1965. The arena was also a training camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1970s. The Ice Garden is also famous among wrestling fans as the venue for Extreme Championship Wrestling and it served as a film location for scenes from Kevin Smith’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno“.
On February 14, 2010, after heavy snowfall, a 100-by-200-foot section of the roof of the Ice Gardens collapsed during a youth hockey tournament between Canadian and US teams. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
That summer, I was performing at one of the Comedy Buffet shows held in one of the banquet rooms. The mood was tense. Owner Jim Murphy, was worried the arena may not re-open in time for hockey season. As he stood there, giving a progress report on the reconstruction of the arena roof, I looked around and watched the concerned faces of everyone in the room. The arena meant a lot to everyone. Rostraver Ice Garden has been an integral part of the community for 50 years! That night, they really needed a laugh.
The arena reopened to the public, with a new roof, on October 21, 2010 and the Comedy Buffet Shows are back! This weekend, Slapstick Productions, and the Rostraver Ice Garden are proud to present the best of the best! A greatest hits if you will. All of the Comedy Buffet favourites on one show! David Kaye, John Knight, Greg Morton, John Stankiewicz, and Mike Wysocki. All seasoned pros in the comedy business, ready to make you laugh. Come celebrate 15 years of comedy with us, this Saturday, May 16, 2015.
GREG MORTON 