Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5, North Seattle) and Council President Bruce Harrell (District 2 South Seattle), Co-Chairs of the Select Committee on Civic Arenas, issued the following statements after the NHL Board of Governors approved an expansion in Seattle, which will bring a hockey team in 2021. The team will play in the soon-to-be renovated Key Arena. The Seattle City Council approved the $700 million remodel in September.
“Seattle put in the work, we were disciplined, we played the long game, and ultimately, we reached our goal of securing an NHL team,” said Councilmember Juarez. “An NHL team coupled with an Arena renovation are additions that benefit us all. Our Seattle sports ecosystem will grow even stronger with an NHL team. Our Arena renovation – which didn’t cost the public a dime – brings us a world class public asset that will be used not only for hockey, but concerts and entertainment. And, a brand new NHL hockey team training center will be built in Northgate, adding an incredible asset to District 5. I want to thank Mayor Jenny Durkan, my Council colleagues, Oak View Group and Seattle hockey fans for getting us to this point. I know all of us are looking forward to 2021.”
“We’re excited the NHL has chosen to bring a team to Seattle, something many sports fans have been looking forward to and will embrace with open arms. Sports are a great unifier, and this NHL team will bring together not only people in Seattle, but regionally and visitors. This team will also bring new energy to Seattle Center and the surrounding neighborhoods, injecting an economic boom to nearby businesses and our urban core,” Harrell said.