A $3.7 million arena project will begin soon to get the rink ready for the Arizona Coyotes’ minor league team to move to Tucson.
After the Tucson City Council worked through a series of worst-case scenarios before approving an arena lease agreement on Tuesday, the Rio Nuevo board approved the agreement Wednesday.
The board also approved a change in scope for arena upgrades needed before the team can use the arena.
Rio Nuevo previously had approved a $3.2 million project with an option to do a second phase for an additional $3.2 million.
Now Rio Nuevo plans to get everything the team needs done in one project for $3.7 million.
The project must begin right away to be done by Oct. 1.
The project will include:
- Renovating the locker rooms for the home team, the visiting team, and the University of Arizona club team, and adding a fourth locker room area that could be used by visiting college teams
- Renovating the ice-making equipment and replacing a Zamboni
- Replacing the dasher boards
- Adding a video system to allow taping, instant replays, televising and livestreaming, and adding a press box
- Adding a small retail store in the breezeway
Eliminated from the project were offices for the team because office space is available elsewhere.
At a news conference Thursday, Coyotes officials are expected to announce season ticket presales. The team is accepting deposits for season ticket memberships.
Rio Nuevo board chairman Fletcher McCusker predicted an average of 5,000 fans per game. He said, “This is gonna be hot, hot, hot for Tucson.”
