The redesign of the back of the XL Center is "the latest component of a proposed, top-to-bottom makeover and expansion of the 40-year-old arena," a $250M project that "would be spread across several fiscal years and paid for almost entirely by the state" of Connecticut, according to Kenneth Gosselin of the HARTFORD COURANT. The Capital Region Development Authority, which oversees the arena and renovation, will have to "marshal the political support from both Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the state legislature to secure funding." The project will have to "compete with a myriad of other projects." The first chunk of funding -- perhaps as much as $50M -- "could get the project fully underway next year." If legislative approval is secured, construction "could start the following year and be completed" by '19. The plans "envision a dramatic change that would essentially create a new arena: a second concourse to relieve congestion and irritating waits at concessions; more 'premium' seating lower in the arena; and more amenities and restrooms." Physical changes "could make the XL Center more competitive with promoters of concerts and other events -- and increase profits both for promoters and the XL Center." The venue historically has "been a money-loser," about $3M annually in recent years, a loss that "typically was all or at least partly covered by the state." The makeover and expansion now being contemplated would come on top of $35M "already spent in the past two years." That work "spruced up a drab interior, opened up a 'fan club' facing the arena and added premium seating lower in the bowl." But those improvements were "only intended to carry the XL Center through the end of the decade, or possibly a bit longer." The elimination of skyboxes, which would be "converted to restaurants and clubs, and other changes throughout the structure could make room for another 2,000 or so seats, increasing the total to about 18,000 from the current 15,800" (HARTFORD COURANT, 11/15).
