TBN: KeyBank Center upgrades

[Beerz]

RWS was built in the 70s

Right but they renovated it a couple years ago and is now being replaced.

Waste of money in my eyes.

I'd rather them hammer out a new arena

Given the connection to HarborCenter, I expect that they are much more likely to try and renovate KBC as opposed to tearing it down and replacing it somewhere else.

Probably right but if I were billionaire I'd tear it out and expand HarborCenter and have new arena wherever

 

[TehDoak]

Right but they renovated it a couple years ago and is now being replaced.

Waste of money in my eyes.

I'd rather them hammer out a new arena



Probably right but if I were billionaire I'd tear it out and expand HarborCenter and have new arena wherever

The real estate investment the Pegula's have made ensures the arena stays downtown. You could simply build a new one next to it if you wanted...but I doubt that is what will happen

The reason they finally built the new bills stadium was structural issues that would have cost several hundred million to fix. For all the issues that we see, that is mostly just a failure in general upkeep by the owners.

Either way, we will know the plans when the Sabres lease is up in 2025. I don't think they are re-doing the roof/new scoreboard unless they were planning on staying in this arena for the immediate (re: 10-15 more years) The major Bills stadium costs should, essentially, be paid by then, which will in turn mean higher revenue for the Pegulas out of the Bills stadium.

 

[Dingo44]

I've said it a few times but I've been to 15 NHL Arenas both old and new and Key Bank Center has some of the best sightlines and I don't get the hate for the layout. Sure it needs new seats and some things could be refreshed/redone but it's not falling apart and it's easy to get to and get around.

I will tell you - sitting in some of the new seats in new arenas are a lot less comfortable than the old seats at KBC. The cheap seats at Little Caesar's Arena are almost unusable. And most places have worse sightlines.

Maybe it's because I only go to KBC once or twice a year but it does not deserve the bashing it gets.

 

[May Day 10]

The site lines there are awful. The grade is as gradual as you can get, and there are little to no overhangs/decks. I have also been to about a dozen NHL arenas and they all seem closer to the action and you can see the game much better from areas of the 100-level. Corners of the 300-level have a Rochester area-code. Add in a bubble roof and there is little ambiance.

They also decided to cram way too many seats in the bowl. It is very uncomfortable, and some areas, normal-sized humans cannot comfortably fit in a seat. The seats I had last year, I couldnt keep my legs straight or else they would be in contact with the people in front of me.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Tsujimoto]

The mural looks nice, but f*** Ticketmaster.

 

[TehDoak]

Our rebuild has reached 'Flip or Flop' levels, we're slapping on a new roof, throwing up some wallpaper, and mounting a new big screen TV.

 

[Dingo44]

Here's the full new mural - swipe to see it all...

 

[MOGlLNY]

Our rebuild has reached 'Flip or Flop' levels, we're slapping on a new roof, throwing up some wallpaper, and mounting a new big screen TV.

Replace the seats and we are cooking with gas

The site lines there are awful. The grade is as gradual as you can get, and there are little to no overhangs/decks. I have also been to about a dozen NHL arenas and they all seem closer to the action and you can see the game much better from areas of the 100-level. Corners of the 300-level have a Rochester area-code. Add in a bubble roof and there is little ambiance.

They also decided to cram way too many seats in the bowl. It is very uncomfortable, and some areas, normal-sized humans cannot comfortably fit in a seat. The seats I had last year, I couldnt keep my legs straight or else they would be in contact with the people in front of me.

I'm sorry but if you really believe this I can't take your opinion seriously. I know you're staunchly anti Pegula but I've been to nearly every NHL arena and while the arena needs a lot of work in a lot of different ways (atmosphere, vendors, etc.) it is one of the only arenas in the entire NHL where it was only made to watch hockey in. Not a bad seat in the entire house.

 

[Jacob582]

Here's the full new mural - swipe to see it all...

Hawerchuk

 

[markpenske]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

 

[Jacob582]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

I bet they're big cans though

 

[MOGlLNY]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

woooof that's MSG level pricing. Guess Skinner buyout isn't paying for the new jumbotron after all.

 

[Satan81]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

I hate the prices (won't get into politics...) but I paid $19 for a tall boy beer at the Syracuse amphitheater. It's not only Buffalo and/or KBC.

 

[Willgamesh]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

This is why you chug Labatts after parking.

 

[yahhockey]

I research if a venue has water fountains or bottle refill stations then bring an empty bottle to fill. I don't know who these people are that make repeated trips to purchase overpriced concession items but I can't justify paying those prices unless I am at an all day event and require food and have felt that way for years. If someone truly wants to drink there are ways to consume alcohol before the event then coast during the event. I find concessions to be a waste of money but I am also someone who rarely eats out for the same reason. Not that restaurants and concessions are an apples to apples comparison.

Pro tip if you truly need to drink during the game but want to save money - now that security at most venues is only metal detectors my (idiot friend or genius friend) began copying someone he witnessed who put liquor in a ziplock bag in their pocket. Purchase a beverage to mix with your liquor, go to the bathroom to dump out some of the drink and pour in the liquor. Profit.

p.s. You should test the bag at your house to ensure it doesn't have a leak and it may be worth paying for a heavier duty bag to reduce the likelihood of an accident before you want to consume your contraband. Realistically any plastic bottle or container that fits in your pocket could be filled with alcohol so you could find safer methods than a baggie. Maybe my friend is an idiot after all, lol.

...I don't like unnecessary replies so I edited to highlight that part and probably shouldn't have used the world bottle. Maybe I could have added the word discreetly before fits in your pocket. My mind was thinking maybe pill bottle/container size. No one should try filling a 500ml pop/water/juice bottle with whiskey and walk in to a venue. There is potentially your groin area if you were concerned about an outline in a pocket. None of this is real advice. Use at your own risk. Your results may vary.

 

[Gras]

I research if a venue has water fountains or bottle refill stations then bring an empty bottle to fill. I don't know who these people are that make repeated trips to purchase overpriced concession items but I can't justify paying those prices unless I am at an all day event and require food and have felt that way for years. If someone truly wants to drink there are ways to consume alcohol before the event then coast during the event. I find concessions to be a waste of money but I am also someone who rarely eats out for the same reason. Not that restaurants and concessions are an apples to apples comparison.

Pro tip if you truly need to drink during the game but want to save money - now that security at most venues is only metal detectors my (idiot friend or genius friend) began copying someone he witnessed who put liquor in a ziplock bag in their pocket. Purchase a beverage to mix with your liquor, go to the bathroom to dump out some of the drink and pour in the liquor. Profit.

p.s. You should test the bag at your house to ensure it doesn't have a leak and it may be worth paying for a heavier duty bag to reduce the likelihood of an accident before you want to consume your contraband. Realistically any plastic bottle or container that fits in your pocket could be filled with alcohol so you could find safer methods than a baggie. Maybe my friend is an idiot after all, lol.

Most places require any bottle to either be empty or factory sealed to be allowed in.

 

[markpenske]

yeah, I guess as long as people are paying those prices - they'll be happy to charge them.
We had some great drafts at the Southern Tier brewery before the game for $7.00
Another thing that caught my eye: 2 foot nachos, which looked amazing.........$29.00

 

[HOOats]

I research if a venue has water fountains or bottle refill stations then bring an empty bottle to fill. I don't know who these people are that make repeated trips to purchase overpriced concession items but I can't justify paying those prices unless I am at an all day event and require food and have felt that way for years. If someone truly wants to drink there are ways to consume alcohol before the event then coast during the event. I find concessions to be a waste of money but I am also someone who rarely eats out for the same reason. Not that restaurants and concessions are an apples to apples comparison.

Pro tip if you truly need to drink during the game but want to save money - now that security at most venues is only metal detectors my (idiot friend or genius friend) began copying someone he witnessed who put liquor in a ziplock bag in their pocket. Purchase a beverage to mix with your liquor, go to the bathroom to dump out some of the drink and pour in the liquor. Profit.

p.s. You should test the bag at your house to ensure it doesn't have a leak and it may be worth paying for a heavier duty bag to reduce the likelihood of an accident before you want to consume your contraband. Realistically any plastic bottle or container that fits in your pocket could be filled with alcohol so you could find safer methods than a baggie. Maybe my friend is an idiot after all, lol.

...I don't like unnecessary replies so I edited to highlight that part and probably shouldn't have used the world bottle. Maybe I could have added the word discreetly before fits in your pocket. My mind was thinking maybe pill bottle/container size. No one should try filling a 500ml pop/water/juice bottle with whiskey and walk in to a venue. There is potentially your groin area if you were concerned about an outline in a pocket. None of this is real advice. Use at your own risk. Your results may vary.

Disclaimer: I love the spirit of this post. But... four paragraphs to conclude "sneak some booze into a hockey game" made me snort a little bit.

But this is coming from a guy who has smuggled pizzas, brooms, radios, humans, etc into games. I guess it's been an "everyone is responsible for their own good time" couple decades of hockey here.

 

[oldgoalie]

Hawerchuk

that whole panel gives me chills. well done, Sabres. well done. God damn did this team have some stars.

 

[joshjull]

My first trip this year to the arena was last night.
The score board is nice but what really caught my attention is the new prices of concessions. Outrageous! I don't know whats more mind-blowing: $17.50 for a can of beer or 30 people waiting in line to buy some.
I know I'm an old man but I'm not that old

Back when I had seasons I always tried to make sure we ate before going. But with 4 kids things could get chaotic and occasionally I’d end up rushing to the game. Like clockwork the one kid going to the game “forgot” to eat. So we’d head over to the Pour Man’s Aud club and the roasts beef stand when we got to the game. I already knew it was going to be expensive yet still winced when told the price. Then stared daggers at my kid and told them this is all we’re getting.

 

[DapperCam]

Here's the full new mural - swipe to see it all...

What I noticed:
- No slug jerseys
- Rayzor is on there but not Biron. I’m sure there will be some playful ribbing on-air about that.
- No active players
- Luke Adam is notably absent.

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842199255215137178

 

[Tsujimoto]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842199255215137178

Looks great without the Ticketmaster logo that was in the earlier rendering.

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843690136380571885

Hopefully KBC has plenty of AEDs.