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Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Oct. 9, 2008

The man behind the Spectrum

Ed Snider is the man who brought his vision for the Spectrum to life more than 40 years ago. As chairman of Comcast-Spectacor, he is saying a bittersweet goodbye to the arena to make way for the expansive Philly Live!

Review: How much tougher will it be saying goodbye to the Spectrum compared to other arenas?

Snider: "With the Vet, JFK and other venues, everyone has their memories about them; the Spectrum was my baby. It was something that got built at a time when no one was even thinking about it. The Spectrum, to me, really helped the City of Philadelphia transform by the virtue that we really didn't have an arena. We had a venue every bit as good as, in some instances bigger and better, than Madison Square Garden. We are all saying goodbye to this wonderful venue, which brought so many great events to the city."

Review: Why did you decide to bring it down?

Snider: "Basically, most cities that built new arenas in the last 15 years have torn down the original arena. For example, in Boston they built a new arena and tore down the old Boston Garden. We are the only ones who kept the Wachovia Center and the Spectrum going as long as we did. When this year is over, it will be 13 years since we built the Wachovia Center and basically it's time. It would take an awful lot of money in the future to keep the structure the way we like it."

Review: Was it a tough decision?

Snider: "The way I look at it, basically, is that we will always have the memories. The physical building will be gone, but the memories will always be there because we have the Wachovia Center, which is state-of-the-art in today's world. I am going to have the memories forever and ever, despite the fact that I am not looking at the building any longer."

Review: What about the coming project at the Sports Complex?

Snider: "I think it is going to be an exciting addition to South Philadelphia. I think we are taking advantage of a great location. It will be more choices for all the residents of the city, particularly down in South Philadelphia. I think it's going to be a fun place. I can't wait."

Review: What are your thoughts on the final year and are there certain events you are looking forward to?

Snider: "I am looking forward to sitting in my old seat in the Spectrum. Seeing a regular-season 76ers game is going to be a lot of fun and also all the concerts we have coming in. It is going to be a year-long celebration. We have a lot of plans, many of which we haven't even thought of yet. Everybody is trying to be creative and come up with all kinds of wonderful things."