KeyBank Center has fallen behind other facilities built in the NHL's building boom in the '90sGetty Images
With the KeyBank Center approaching its 22nd season, Sabres officials have "met with prominent architects in the sports design field to solicit ideas for what can be done as a renovation in Buffalo," according to a front-page piece by Mike Harrington of the BUFFALO NEWS. KeyBank Center is considered "middle age in arena years and has fallen behind the other facilities constructed during the NHL's building boom" in the '90s. Virtually all 17 of those venues have "undergone major renovation projects in recent years or are about to." Sabres officials know their arena "needs work, both in cosmetics and in major renovations that some estimates figure could cost" roughly $50M or more. Officials from Pegula Sports & Entertainment, led by Sabres President Russ Brandon, have made "several trips around the NHL the last couple of seasons, visiting other arenas to collect data and help brainstorm ideas." Brandon said, "We've had a lot of internal discussion knowing where the building is age-wise and having seen what other facilities across the country are doing that are in the same age bracket." Fans have "grown increasingly disturbed" by the condition of the building. Cracked concrete is "visible in the 100 and 300 levels." Harrington notes the Sabres "aren't just going to make major renovations of KeyBank Center on their own." While the co-Owners Terry and Kim Pegula are "anticipated to contribute," it is "likely going to have to be a partnership among the state, county and city with the owners." Erie County Attorney Michael Sirigusa said that he is "unaware of any serious conversations from Sabres leadership about the need for arena upgrades" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/4).