Letting Go Of The Joe

By Charlie Pena, CBS 62/CW50 Intern

After nearly four decades of prime time entertainment, the Joe Louis Arena is closing. The Joe has done a fantastic job of bringing families together and for that, it will always have a special place in our hearts. It's safe to say that seeing the arena close is bittersweet. The Red Wings have been very successful in their history at the Joe including four Stanley Cup victories.

The Joe's downtown location and convenient people mover access have made it one of the most notable destinations in Detroit. Despite the arenas history and sentimental value, the Wings were due for an upgrade. The seats aren't the most comfortable, the bathrooms are outdated and the overall cleanliness of the stadium was subpar. The energy from the Joe will carry over to the new arena and live on in the hearts of fans forever.

Luckily for the Red Wings, the Little Caesars Arena will be one of the newest and most technologically advanced stadiums in the NHL. It will hold 19,600 with 10,500 seats in the lower bowl alone. The Joe only had forty percent of its seating in the lower bowl. The seats are supposed to have more legroom and the new ice-lighting system should really amplify the experience. There will be an indoor/outdoor dining and shopping area that will remain open to the public all the time. One feature that is getting people excited is the new over-the-ice gondola seating that allows you to watch the game from overhead.

To welcome the Little Caesars Arena to Detroit, Kid Rock is going to be performing. This four day music fest is sure to break in the new stadium and get people used to it. The Palace of Auburn Hills is closing its doors this season as well so the Pistons and Red Wings will share the same arena. Once the Pistons move back home, Detroit will be one of the only cities in the United States that is home to all four major sports leagues.

Even though the Joe has been around forever, Red Wings fans deserve a better experience. Now going and watching a game can be an all-day event filled with shopping, dining and entertainment. The Red Wings are one of the greatest NHL teams and they have the best fans in the world. Saying goodbye to the Joe will be sad but it will never be forgotten.

Charlie Peña is a Digital Media Specialist working as an Intern at CBS 62/CW50. He enjoys filming and editing video and has a special interest in recording and editing audio.