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Philadelphia says “goodbye” to The Spectrum

HKY-SCHULTZ

Philadelphia Flyers’ Dave Schultz (right) is shown in this April, 1975 photo catching up to Kansas City Scouts’ Brent Hughes. The U.S. is about to let a bunch of former Bullies become citizens. Four members of the Philadelphia Flyers championship Broad Street Bullies teams of the 1970s, including Shultz, are close to getting their citizenship. (AP Photo,File)

AP

It’s a sad day in Philadelphia as the city says goodbye to a landmark of sorts. Today, demolition of The Spectrum began and while some tears are shed for the loss of an iconic building that saw championships won by both the Flyers and 76ers, the Philadelphia landmark has seen its last days.

Today, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania dignitaries gathered outside The Spectrum to pay their final respects to the venerable old place and amongst the attendees were Broad Street Bullies Bobby Clarke and Bernie Parent as well as Flyers executives Peter Lukko and Ed Snider.

As you might expect, the tone of the day was bittersweet for those in attendance and for Clarke and Parent alike it meant saying farewell to a very friendly home. Adam Kimelman of NHL.com was on the scene and got word from those sad to see The Spectrum go.

“I understand the building has gotten old and has to be replaced,” said Clarke. “We’re all old enough to understand that buildings get old and have to be replaced. We love that building. But you move houses sometimes; it’s time to move buildings.”

While the Spectrum may be gone, the memories made in the building one Philadelphia-area columnist once derisively called “The Fish Can on the Delaware Flats,” will live on.


Who knew that Bobby Clarke could be poignant? Here’s some video from the demolition today thanks to NBC Philadelphia. Flyers fans might want to think twice before checking it out.
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