Lamont unveiled a revised fiscal year 2021 budget plan that sets aside $55 million in bond funding in the current fiscal year and the next to renovate and improve the arena. Both chambers of the General Assembly and the State Bond Commission would need to approve the proposed borrowing for the venue. The proposed public funding option, though, would fall short of addressing the long-term future of the facility, and state lawmakers in recent years have been unwilling to back major investments there. The nearly 200-page study by Texas-based consultancy Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL) recommends adding 1,000 “event level” and “concourse club” seats, 52 “loge” seats and 42 small group boxes and luxury suites at the XL Center. Implementing the modernized, luxury seating closer to the floor could generate an additional $3.6 million in gross revenue for the 16,000-seat arena, the study says.
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/study-investing-in-hartfords-aging-xl-center-would-lift-the-arenas-finances-but-not-a