Seattle NHL Expansion Cost Rise

When we think of hockey we think of the teams presently in the league and given the hype that the Vegas Knights have brought to a new level that has been unmatched in any sport.

Pro sport teams as well as many of the Junior teams in various areas could learn the art of promotion for their team rather than continue on the route they are currently on.

Living in the lower mainland we continue to hear about how Seattle will out draw the Canucks as well as entice fans from north of the 49th to their city, which isn’t a real surprise.

Keeping the community and the general public informed we hear that Tod Leiweke (Seattle President and CEO) gave members of the media the first public tour of the massive sized KeyArena construction project.

It’s reported that the cost is expected to exceed $900 million and mentions that the developers won’t skimp on the additional upgrades.

It was reported by The Seattle Times that the privately funded project’s cost had reached $900 million and possibly somewhat more.

Also that the reopening is delayed by some several months now expected to be June 1, 2021 moving the late-May start of the WNBA Seattle Storm.

He (Leiweke) mentioned that the costs have escalated to “between $900 (million) and $930 million” and that “the schedule has slipped a bit” but the project should be delivered by the summer of 2021.

After the tour he (Leiweke) mentioned “The project is definitely costing more than we thought, it’s taking a little bit longer, but it’s with great satisfaction that we’re here today saying ‘We are building something special,”

We are hearing that The Seattle Times filed a public-disclosure (April 1st) request with the City of Seattle seeking monthly documents on the updated time frame for the arena’s completion date.

Oak View Group (OVG) developer from Los Angeles is required to file as per its development agreement.

As per the State Law, the City replied April 5th (within the five days) that it was exercising its right to notify OVG of the request and would then provide a update April 25th.

CEO Alisha Valavanis, the Storm President mentioned that she had been “in close contact and communication” with Leiweke on the estimated June 1, 2021 closing date.

For the time being the Storm will play the majority of 2019 home games at the University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena followed by the remainder at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.

On a sad note we are hearing that former Storm Coach Dan Hughes, who coached the to the WNBA championship last season, has been diagnosed with cancer.

OVG has an office inside the same Queen Anne building as NHL Seattle, and both companies share investors and have worked closely on transforming the 57-year-old venue into a state-of-the-art, expanded facility with nearly double its current footprint while preserving its historically protected roof. NHL

During the tour, Leiweke and Ken Johnsen (project executive) indicated various construction complexities explaining why costs have risen substantially.

We’ll keep you posted with further updates on the project!!