Image Credit: Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
In lieu of the Carolina Hurricanes’ 20th anniversary in Raleigh, the organization is hoping to add numerous upgrades to PNC Arena. New Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon had requested that a new scoreboard be added first and in time for the start of the 2018-2019 NHL season. The new scoreboard is expected to be so large that it “stretched from blue line to blue line” in reference to the markings on the ice below. However, structural changes would need to be made to PNC Arena before a new scoreboard could be added. It appears Carolina Hurricanes fans will be left waiting another season before a new scoreboard will be added to PNC Arena.
The construction of the 50,000 lb. scoreboard is estimated to exceed $6.6M and the Carolina Hurricanes will cover any costs that exceed that dollar amount. Other upgrades that have been proposed include the construction of a new storage warehouse connected to the arena, the replacement of nearly 7,000 seats on the upper level, a 3D projection system and a new lighting system. All improvements to PNC Arena would need to be approved by the Centennial Authority, the venue’s landlord. The scoreboard’s pixel display has also come into discussion. The budgeted $6.6 million will only cover the addition of a scoreboard that offers 1080p HD technology. Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon would like for the scoreboard to feature 4K Ultra HD technology which can currently only be found at the Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings) and the Prudential Center (New Jersey Devils). The addition of a 4K Ultra HD scoreboard would easily exceed $12M.
Just last season, the Carolina Hurricanes were doing their best to fight off relocation rumors. The team had consistently appeared at the bottom of the NHL’s attendance standings for the last several seasons and owner Peter Karmanos Jr. was anxious to sell the team to a new owner. Since new owner Tom Dundon has taken the reigns, however, he has breathed fresh air into the struggling franchise. It’s been clear that both the Hurricanes fan base and PNC Arena were largely neglected by the team’s former owner. PNC Arena has already lost out on many large acts and events that opted for Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets.
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