City Aproves XL Center Face Lift

[specialisthusky]

http://courantblogs.com/ct-real-estate/

Construction expected to begin in May.

PLANNED XL CENTER IMPROVEMENTS
Arena Bowl:
*New fan club area overlooking the bowl
*New loge boxes
*New sound system
*Upgraded video board and scoreboard
*New LED ribbon boards
*New digital advertising signs
Concourse:
*Renovated restrooms
*New wall and floor finishes
*New lighting
*Concession area improvements
*New doors and signs at entrances
*Improved disabled accessibility
Event Level:
*Renovated Wolf Pack, UConn basketball and visiting hockey and basketball team locker rooms
*New locker room for UConn hockey
*Renovated support kitchen
*New restrooms
*Improved disabled accessibility
Mechanical Systems:
*Upgraded control system
*Repaired or replaced heating, cooling and air circulation systems
*Repaired or replaced piping systems
Source: Capital Region Development Authority

EDIT: Title should say STATE not "City" - my bad

 

[OkaForPrez]

Cosmetic with the exception of the the behind the goal/basket bar. Which is cool, but I wish there was more.

 

[Husky25]

Loge boxes are new.

After visiting the Pepsi Center in Denver last fall, I think it will take a lot more than the above before any real NHL bid is feasible. I just don't see how it can be done in the current footprint.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Loge boxes are new.

After visiting the Pepsi Center in Denver last fall, I think it will take a lot more than the above before any real NHL bid is feasible. I just don't see how it can be done in the current footprint.

I'm lumping the lodge boxes in with the fan club. It's all the same

 

[OkaForPrez]

Nevermind, didn't see the lodge sections at the top and bottom:

 

[DSquiz]

We are not getting a new Hartford arena for at least 10 years so for now this looks pretty good. Especially with UConn Hockey coming in and the XL being used more the upgrades should be helpful.

How does the bar area work? Is it a special ticket or can anyone go? I could see it getting crazy.

 

[tykurez]

The concourses at the XL are like dungeons. I'm not sure a fresh coat of paint is going to help out much in that regard.

 

[specialisthusky]

We are not getting a new Hartford arena for at least 10 years so for now this looks pretty good. Especially with UConn Hockey coming in and the XL being used more the upgrades should be helpful.

How does the bar area work? Is it a special ticket or can anyone go? I could see it getting crazy.

I've heard from a few people that a new arena is going to be considered for the "NoDo" plan which is going to be an attempt to connect Downtown with area north of 84. 100% only a rumor, but something to watch moving forward.

Brief mention alluding to the possibility in this article, but no concrete plans as of now.

http://articles.courant.com/2014-01...-20140125_1_downtown-area-downtown-north-i-84

 

[Robertelamin]

The concourses at the XL are like dungeons. I'm not sure a fresh coat of paint is going to help out much in that regard.

Yeah the concourses look what I imagine buildings in soviet russia look like. I feel like I'm in a concrete tomb.