The XL Center is now People's Bank Arena. *nm*

[DSquiz]

They’ve got me hyped, place looks great.

 

[huskymedic]

Good overview:



Backstage pass

 

[BFieldHusky]

Is there another phase of the renovation?

 

[DSquiz]

Is there another phase of the renovation?

Kinda, they still have some behind the scenes stuff to do along with finishing the bunker suites and redoing the upper suites. I believe they said they aren't officaly complete until next summer.

 

[Waquoit]

What does it say about the ice surface?

 

[jostar1]

What does it say about the ice surface?

The Wolf Pack was practicing on it.

 

[Waquoit]

I just heard some potential good news for folks visiting PBA. The Russian Lady is now serving pizza made by the Hartford Pizza Garden people. I can't personally vouch for the Pizza Garden but it's been getting great word-of-mouth.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Kinda, they still have some behind the scenes stuff to do along with finishing the bunker suites and redoing the upper suites. I believe they said they aren't officaly complete until next summer.

They need another round of funding to do something with the bathrooms and exterior, among other things. Probably will take another $100 mil.

 

[John]

They need another round of funding to do something with the bathrooms and exterior, among other things. Probably will take another $100 mil.

bathrooms, concourse width

 

[jostar1]

 

[Vuce]

Did they even touch the second level or is it will the early 1990's there?

 

[DSquiz]

Did they even touch the second level or is it will the early 1990's there?

They redid the stairs, fixed the roof (dark tiled ceiling now), and took down the old press box and replaced with upper level ADA seating. So minor stuff but got at least some love.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I just heard some potential good news for folks visiting PBA. The Russian Lady is now serving pizza made by the Hartford Pizza Garden people. I can't personally vouch for the Pizza Garden but it's been getting great word-of-mouth.

Pizza Garden is great! Both New Haven style and Detroit style. Their flagship is moving to Park Rd from Farmington Avenue in addition to their satellite at The Lady so they're obviously doing it right.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[huskymedic]

 

[Ha Who]

I am wondering if the bunker suites will be like Yankee Stadium. Every time I put on a Yankee game I see empty seats.

 

[05Alum]

I went to the UConn hockey game on Saturday, sat in lower bowl. Definitely agree with Daniel Connolly's thoughts above. For the average visitor, the renovations aren't significant. What was actually (really) disappointing were the new lower bowl seats. Somehow less comfortable that the old seats with less legroom. My knees were right up against the back of the seat in front of me. Felt like I was in the bleachers at gampel.

 

[CTBasketball]

Play all games in Hartford?

 

[CL82]

Play all games in Hartford?

 

[Waquoit]

Play all games in Hartford?

Only if they want to make more money and play before a bigger crowd.

 

[CL82]

Only if they want to make more money and play before a bigger crowd.

Absolutely! I could not agree more! In fact, they should stop playing any games on campus! Sure, that means the players will stay overnight in a hotel before the game, but what the heck, they're getting paid right? Let's treat them even more like a semipro franchise. That's a successful model!

And sure it makes it more difficult for students to get to the games, but who needs them? Am I right? What's really important is that we don't make middle-age fans who live west of Hartford have to drive an extra half hour to see the team on campus. Everything else is meaningless.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Absolutely! I could not agree more! In fact, they should stop playing any games on campus! Sure, that means the players will stay overnight in a hotel before the game, but what the heck, they're getting paid right? Let's treat them even more like a semipro franchise. That's a successful model!

And sure it makes it more difficult for students to get to the games, but who needs them? Am I right? What's really important is that we don't make middle-age fans who live west of Hartford have to drive an extra half hour to see the team on campus. Everything else is meaningless.

Duuuude you’re not understanding what kind of an impact 5k more retired or almost retired ‘fans’ sitting with their arms folded like they’re watching a tennis match can make on a college basketball atmosphere.

 

[Palatine]

Duuuude you’re not understanding what kind of an impact 5k more retired or almost retired ‘fans’ sitting with their arms folded like they’re watching a tennis match can make on a college basketball atmosphere.

Dude! This is 2025, think NIL and donations. Screaming college kids don't pay the rent.