All of the talk in St. Louis involving stadiums has been focused on the St. Louis Rams and their crazy/insane/ridiculous situation with the Edward Jones Dome and a potential new stadium. Meanwhile, another conversation has been taking place involving a major renovation of the Scottrade Center.
Comments from Blues owner Tom Stillman were recently published in the St. Louis Business Journal and outline the needs for significant work to be done at the Scottrade Center.
Stillman:
“All around the league, particularly in the NBA and NHL, arenas around the 20-year mark tend to go through a major renovation and that is going to be necessary at the Scottrade Center — probably even more so (in St. Louis) than in other markets. We are in the early stages of planning a renovation… Obviously part of the aim is to be the best possible home for the NHL and the St. Louis Blues, but Scottrade plays a key role in bringing other big events to St. Louis, like major concerts and other sporting events like NCAA March Madness. We’re not going to continue to draw those events unless we upgrade the arena significantly.”
Details as far as cost, financing and what a renovation would include haven’t been discussed publicly. Realistically, the Blues would likely focus on the areas not usually seen by the public – player areas, interview areas – while enhancing their suites. If you’ve ever seen the dressing room for the Blues, you’re aware that it’s far from being glamorous compared to the other rooms around the NHL. No word on whether any money would ensure the reliability of the arena’s escalators (seriously, when do they work?).
Blues fans who have followed other arena projects (like Tampa Bay) may get carried away with possibilities for the Blues, but the harsh reality is that this team isn’t a financial juggernaut. Thank the old owners for locking the Blues into some ugly contracts which provide little in revenue. Regardless, a renovation might be coming but it appears to be in the preliminary stages.
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