The City of Saint Paul and Minnesota Wild have significantly scaled back the immediate scope of proposed renovations to the Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex in an effort to reduce funding needed from the Minnesota State Government.
The City and the NHL franchise have now elected to prioritise a $488m (£366.5m/€429.3m) upgrade to the 25-year-old Xcel Energy Center, temporarily putting on hold Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium updates.
The project still includes an entire renovation of Xcel Energy Center, with a state contribution of $50m intended to help expand the arena’s north wall to improve the northeast entrance security area, increase Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, reduce congestion in corridors and update restroom plumbing.
City and local partners will provide $200m, with the Wild liable for the remaining $238m, plus any cost overruns for the rest of the renovation.
By contrast, a plan put forward in March was valued at $769m, with the City asking the Minnesota State Government to fund half the cost. This is said to have been met with a negative response, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, which added that the revised proposal could also be opposed.
Several lawmakers are said to have expressed concerns during initial presentations from Mayor Melvin Carter and Wild owner Craig Leipold, citing the state’s forecasted budget crunch, economic headwinds and uncertainty about federal funding.
Carter yesterday (Thursday) said the revised plan remains in alignment with the city and Wild’s long-term strategy to revitalise the downtown entertainment district, improve player and customer experiences at the arena, and welcome more residents and visitors to Saint Paul while respecting the state’s current financial realities.
He added in a statement: “We recognise the serious financial decisions ahead of our lawmakers, which is why it’s important to make strategic and timely investments that move our state forward.
“Renovating the Xcel Energy Center protects one of our most valuable assets, all while setting Saint Paul and our region up for job creation, revitalisation, and economic growth.”
In the first quarter of 2025, the Xcel Energy Center welcomed one million visitors and now, in its 25th and final intended year of service, the City has argued that the arena is operating beyond capacity.
“Since 2000, the Xcel Energy Center has been the economic engine of downtown Saint Paul, and we’re excited for the opportunity to build on this success,” said Leipold.
“Saint Paul is uniquely positioned to become a gleaming example nationwide of forward-thinking revitalisation. The Wild is committed to our home in the capital of the state of hockey, and we’re proud to invest in the future of Saint Paul.”
The two parties said renovations to the 27-year-old Saint Paul RiverCentre and the 93-year-old Roy Wilkins Auditorium remain a key component of the project, with the City and Wild likely to seek additional funding in the coming years.
