"One of the key elements that we took into consideration during the design was sides… So we'll have a true 40-foot cube that creates an equal perspective and experience for everyone inside the bowl," said Alex Rodrigo, Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Operations. "Not only that, but when you think about the resolution, the definition, the technology behind it…we're buying things off the top of the shelf, not the bottom of the shelf."
While it's no secret that in today's sports world bigger is better, every detail was considered when designing the new board that will debut in September.
"This isn't just about hockey," Rodrigo said. "We have to go back out to our partners and talk about the digital elements and needs that they have now for basketball, wrestling, concerts, things of that nature. Size is one thing, but all the needs extend well beyond hockey."
Further increasing the versatility of the arena will be upgrades to the ribbon boards, allowing things like digital signage, public safety messaging and logos of corporate partners to be easily changed to fit each event.
"One of the things we have to do in our building at times is convert from one element to the next. So what is ultimately going to happen in the arena is that with the click of a switch, we'll be able to incorporate those different elements," Rodrigo said.
Seventeen total projects are expected to be completed during Phase One of the renovation process, including a new state-of-the-art ice plant, lighting upgrades and locker room improvements.
