Although it’s been known for some months now, the official announcement of the Spectrum’s demolition came down today which Ed Snider called “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.” From today’s Comcast-Spectacor press release, the word is the building will be torn down following the 2008-2009 Kixx and Phantom’s seasons, meaning some time after May 2009 probably. Since there was such a buildup to the implosion of Veterans Stadium in 2004, you have to imagine there will be even more hubbub around the demolition of the Spectrum since it arguably held more significant sporting events through the years … or at least more championships.

The plans for the area where the Spectrum now stands are pretty exciting, although do we really have to call it “Philly Live!,” really? But still, losing a building that has been part of Philadelphia sports for over 40 years is going to be tough … even if the place is a dump. In anticipation of the months of reminiscing, Comcast-Spectacor has set up a website, Remember the Spectrum, which has photos throughout the years of the Flyers and Sixers (although only two Sixers pictures and three Flyers), ticket stubs and back-stage passes.

Plus there is a calendar of all the events that happened in the Spectrum since September 30, 1967. Which means you can go and relive the memory of your girlfriend going backstage with Van Halen in the summer of ‘86 only to re-emerge four hours later disheveled and out of breath … good times.

So the dingy confines of the Wachovia Spectrum will be torn down in about a year and some might say “good riddance” (actually plenty are saying that I’m sure), but a question that remains unanswered is what will happen to lower teir sports teams like the Soul, Phantoms and Kixx.

This season the Soul have probably moved themselves into a solid #5 spot in Philly sports, meaning it’s very likely they would play all their games in the Wachovia Center from here on out, so the demolition of the Spectrum shouldn’t affect them at all. In fact, it’s probably a bonus. But then there are the other teams.

Obviously it has been handy for the Flyers to have their minor league affiliate literally steps away, but it is possible the Phantoms could move and it looks like the Lehigh Valley might be one of the areas in play. Developers in the Allentown area are considering building a new arena that could be the future home of the Phantoms although it’s likely a few years away, meaning the team would have to play in a temporary location until the arena is finished. But at this point the team doesn’t have a home for the 2009-2010 season anyway. And with the success of the Iron Pigs in drawing fans around the Allentown region, a trip up the Northeast Extention might work for the Phantoms.

The Kixx have much bigger problems than not having a home to play in, at this point they don’t even have a league. In June the Major Indoor Soccer League ceased operations for the 2008-2009 in an attempt to restructure the league which they claim will bring ”greater efficiencies, while also allowing long term growth and expansion of the league.” Whatevs. While the Kixx have had some popularity in the area (they won the MISL championship in 2007) they still only draw about 6,000 fans per game which is about 1/3 the capacity of the Spectrum. Another thing that hurts the Kixx is, unlike the Phantoms, they are not owned by Comcast-Spectacor, meaning they would likely have to rent the Wachovia Center if they wanted to play there. That’s not happening. So, perhaps a Phantoms move to Allentown might help the Kixx as well.

So in a few years when you’re visiting the capitalistic mecca that will be Philly Live! hopefully you’ll still remember that at one time an arena stood there which saw the likes of Dr. J and Bobby Clarke, Hulk Hogan and Bruce Springsteen, and The Philadelphia Bulldogs. Actually, let’s forget that last part … fucking Tony Danza and his damned roller hockey!