MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Report: KeyArena delays reopening, needs millions more

Apr 18, 2019, 11:38 AM | Updated: Apr 19, 2019, 3:29 pm

Key Arena demolition and renovation, construction...

Ongoing construction at KeyArena. (Michael Simeona, KIRO Radio)

(Michael Simeona, KIRO Radio)

KeyArena’s grand reopening has been delayed yet again, threatening the start of the Seattle Storm’s 2021 basketball season.

RELATED: NHL Seattle gives us glimpse inside KeyArena renovation
PHOTOS: KeyArena renovation project continues

Documents obtained by The Seattle Times show construction costs have ballooned to $900 million dollars. The first price tag put renovations at $600 million dollars, with work originally scheduled to wrap up in time for the 2020 NHL season in October.

That was initially delayed 12 months by the NHL, when it became clear that it wasn’t a feasible date for the end of construction. After that, eyes were trained on the 2021 season for the debut of Seattle’s new hockey team.

The latest estimate has the renovated KeyArena opening closer to June 2021, bumping up against the May start of the Storm’s season, and just four months before the beginning of the NHL season.

Over the last two years, funding estimates have jumped almost continuously, due to skyrocketing labor and building material costs, among other factors. The price tag sat at $800 million, back when ground first broke on the renovation back in December 2018. Then it jumped to $850 million early this year.

According to the Times, CEO Tod Leiweke told a media tour group on Thursday afternoon that costs have ballooned to “between $900 (million) and $930 million.”

The rebuild is set to include a 360-foot-long glass atrium, dedicated locker rooms for Seattle’s new NHL team, a potential NBA team, and the Storm, 50,000 square feet of storage, and a 750,000 square foot interior. Capacity for hockey games will seat up around 17,400 people, while basketball will house 18,600.

If delays cause the Storm to miss home games, the team would be reimbursed for relocation efforts. A recently-renewed lease agreement between the City and the Storm calls for the City to assume the cost of relocation due to redevelopment, up to $260,000 per game.

Even so, the City and the Oak View Group current have an agreement, that would have OVG “assume any costs should the Seattle Storm season be delayed in 2021.”

According to the Times, a new deal between NHL Seattle and OVG caps the renovation’s costs from rising any further. There are no details on whether or not the original plans for the project have been scaled back to account for delays and the need for additional funding.

Correction: A previous version of this story stated the latest price tag on the arena at $800 million, when, in fact, it increased to $850 million in early 2019. Additionally, added a statement from the City claiming that OVG would cover costs of relocation.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

3 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

4 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

5 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

5 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

7 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

16 hours ago

Report: KeyArena delays reopening, needs millions more