A New Hartford Civic Center: Fantasy or Reality?

It seems that ever since the City of Hartford lost the NHL’s Whalers, stories have circulated about Hartford making a play for another NHL team.  Most recently, real estate developer Lawrence Gottesdiener attempted to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins and move them to Hartford.  The NHL did not appear too excited about the prospects of bringing professional hockey back to Hartford, and the Penguins ultimately stayed put.  One of the key issues to bringing the Penguins, or any other team to Hartford, is the viability of the Civic Center.  The Civic Center, or XL Center as it is currently named, is outdated and nearing the end of its useful life.  Although there has not been much talk about bringing another NHL team to Hartford, a new Civic Center is once again a topic of serious discussion.  Below are a few articles and items of interest on this topic:

• The USA Today mentioned the Civic Center in its article concerning the replacement of aging arenas.  According to Mark McGovern, Hartford’s Acting Director of Development Services, a new arena would cost between $300 million and $400  million and would be financed with a combination of public funds and corporate sponsorships.
• Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez appointed a task force to study the feasibility of a new arena.  More specifically, the task force is charged with the task of gauging corporate support.
• The Connecticut General Assembly is considering legislation to create a Sports Advisory Board within the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.  The proposed intent of the Sports Advisory Board will be to provide advice as to “the most effective ways to utilize state resources to promote, attract and market in-state professional and amateur sports and sporting events.”

Stay tuned for more discussion on a new Hartford arena and the viability of professional sports in the state’s capital.