Nearly five months after closing for a $145 million renovation, Hartford’s PeoplesBank Arena will reopen Oct. 17, when the Hartford Wolf Pack takes the ice. At first glance, longtime fans may not see sweeping changes. The overhaul is largely focused on behind-the-scenes upgrades — premium spaces for VIPs and performers, new escalators and loading areas, and infrastructure designed to make the 50-year-old venue more attractive to touring acts. “The real magic is making this building work for the industry,” said Michael Freimuth, executive director of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), which oversees the arena. “That doesn’t always translate to the guy sitting in the seat. He might say, ‘How’s it any different?’ There’s a lot of back-of-house stuff.” “Looking at ticket sales, it’s very clear the public wants to go back to that venue,” said Jim Koplik, Live Nation’s president for Connecticut and upstate New York. “The interest is definitely much greater for people coming to the PeoplesBank Arena. We are seeing it.”

https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/peoplesbank-arena-set-to-reopen-oct-17-after-145m-overhaul-upgrades-already-draw-more-shows/