Upgrades Sought At XL Center

The 41-year-old arena needs $250 million for a full-scale renovation, according to the Authority, but Gov. Dannel Malloy didn’t include it in his capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Several improvements will likely now be made in piecemeal.

The CRDA, which oversees operations for the former home of the NHL’s Hartford Whalers, plans to seek approximately $3.5 million in state bond funds to replace the arena’s ice-making system under the hockey rink and an inoperable elevator. The CRDA also expects sports leagues to soon require metal detectors at all fan entrances, according to the Hartford Courant. There has been $35 million in state-funded improvements at the arena over the past two years.