Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The process of undertaking a major renovation of KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo has already begun.
Buffalo Sabres and Bills Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli told WBEN ahead Thursday's night's season opener for the Sabres that he's well aware of the perception many fans have of the aging arena. It's something the organization has tried to address in bite-sized chunks over the past two years with the installation of a new video board, roof, and sound system among other things.
However, a larger, full-scale change is on the table.
"Discussions are underway," Guelli told WBEN about negotiating a major renovation project with arena stakeholders that would include Erie County and the City of Buffalo. "I would characterize them as preliminary right now. Trying to get through the [new Highmark] Stadium project first is a priority, but we've already engaged with an architect and we're looking at potential options at the arena.
Being the oldest building in the National Hockey League yet to undergo a major renovation, Guelli knows it's long been overdue.
"There's a bunch of things we did that we thought could connect to a bigger renovation, and there's a handful of things that we can probably wait on," Guelli noted.
Guelli says those talks will likely "heat up" once the new stadium in Orchard Park is complete, but they're already making sure the spotlight isn't taken too far off downtown. He called the arena's expanded event schedule, with the goal to host 200 events next year, a catalyst to the renovation conversations.
"We want it to be more than just an arena renovation. It's something that can benefit the entire city of Buffalo," Guelli said. "We're trying to look at this thing holistically and talk about that Canalside area, and what this can do to potentially energize it. So we're thinking bigger picture.
"One thing I've found out from these discussions is everybody's head is in the same place. They want this to be something that can catalyze development in Downtown Buffalo. We're working through that right now."
Last month, the team announced they are continuing their current lease at KeyBank Center through September 2031. In July, they announced a 10-year arena naming rights extension with KeyBank.
Related
