The Sabres have begun preliminary talks with the State and County about renovations at KeyBank Center, which are expected to cost at least $400M.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The renovations that are needed at the KeyBank Center are expected to cost at least $400 million, according to sources with direct knowledge of ongoing conversations happening. 

Buffalo Sabres COO Pete Guelli confirms that conversations among the organization, state, and Erie County have begun. However, those conversations are in the preliminary stages. 

“That’s where I would categorize it,” Guelli said. “Obviously we’re working through the stadium project, and we know that’s going to open up on time over the summer, and need to get through that, but we have to start planning. So it’s been more just discussion.”

According to Guelli, those conversations have been wide-ranging in scope. 

“I’ve met with everybody,” Guelli said. “We literally have talked to [Senator] Sean Ryan, I’ve talked to Mark Poloncarz. We’ve talked to the governor, we’ve sat down with the people from Erie Canal Harbor Development.”

Guelli says one of the goals of the renovations is ensuring not only the KeyBank Center flourishes, but the area around the arena benefits as well. 

“How can we be a better partner there?” Guelli said. “We’ve talked to people on the private side. So there’s a lot of moving parts, but I think if you’re going to do it right, you’ve got to try to align all these constituencies to do it.”

The Sabres organization has had conversations with architecture firm Populous about designs for the renovated KeyBank Center, according to Guelli. Populous was the design firm responsible for the new Highmark Stadium. 

KeyBank Center has not had grand renovations since it opened nearly 30 years ago. While there have been upgrades throughout the years, nothing to date has been upgraded to the scale of what’s being discussed amongst the state, county and Sabres. 

Sources indicate the renovations will be substantial and touch every aspect of the facility, including the infrastructure itself, team areas and fan-facing experiences. 

“The dream scenario would be this super high-performing arena that had 200 events a year, and 2 million people coming to it, and an absolute beautiful mixed-use property on the waterfront in Buffalo,” Guelli said. “I think that’s a vision that everybody could get behind.”

There is mixed reaction in amongst Albany lawmaker, however, especially since the possibility remains that any renovations that are planned at KeyBank Center could only become a reality if the state itself puts up some of the money. 

The appetite to give taxpayer dollars to the Sabres might not be there, particularly with ongoing cuts in Washington. 

One of the leading voices in the legislature, Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes doesn’t see funding renovations for the arena as a priority right now. 

“Federal cuts to health care and food (SNAP and universal lunch) will take precedence over all budget issues for the foreseeable future,” the majority leader said in a statement. 

2 On Your Side reached out to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office for a comment, but have not yet received a response.