4-19-2019
SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) — Renovations of the former Key Arena for Seattle’s new NHL franchise won’t be completed until late spring or summer of 2021 but that shouldn’t have any impact on the expansion team’s first season.
Team President Tod Leiweke told a news conference yesterday that the delay could end up affecting some other plans for the franchise, including the hopes of hosting the 2021 NHL draft.
KOMO reports the cost of the project has also risen from $650 million to over $900 million, but Leiwike isn’t apologizing.
“We didn’t value engineer this project, we didn’t cut things out, and they didn’t ultimately cut corners,” he says.
The team was hoping to have the building open by early spring 2021, but design delays and a change in general contractors have delayed the project.