It’s official: Checkers returning to hockey-friendly digs
The Story
The Charlotte City Council agreed this week to spend $16 million to renovate Bojangles Auditorium.
The Facts
– $4 million earmarked to make improvements for the Checkers, which play now at swankier but too-big Time Warner Arena
– Improvements to include ice-making equipment, new scoreboard and better seats
– Money comes from hotel and food/beverage taxes
– Checkers will play 2015-16 season there
– One day, city hopes a developer will come in and build an amateur sports complex on parking lot surrounding Bojangles
The Quotes
.@CLTMayor participating in @BojanglesCol announcement of return of @CheckersHockey. Great for Independence Corridor. pic.twitter.com/sS6DJ5P5Wn
— Mayor of Charlotte (@CLTMayor) December 9, 2014
$1.5 million to replace seating at @BojanglesCol. Assuming folding chairs will be repurposed to hit pro wrestlers. pic.twitter.com/fCGlScbWgS — Jeremy Markovich (@deftlyinane) December 9, 2014
C5’s Take
We remember fondly the days of old-school hockey at Bojangles (back then called Independence Arena and then Cricket Arena). Back then, you really felt you were at a wrestling match on ice. It rocked. Checkers will feel the love back home.
Photo: Robert Lahser / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 10, 2014 at 12:55 AM with the headline "It’s official: Checkers returning to hockey-friendly digs."