Bills, Sabres, Amerks, and Bandits owners Terry and Kim Pegula are taking over the Knighthawks starting next year.
This news comes following after an announcement this morning that Knighthawks owner Curt Styres will leave after the upcoming season to bring his National Lacrosse League franchise to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Styles has owned the Knighthawks since 2008.
NLL COO Dave Rowan was in Rochester for today's news conference to announce they have awarded an expansion franchise to the Pegulas that will keep lacrosse in Rochester.
"We are truly honored, excited, that Kim and Terry will continue again the legacy of 25 years of the National Lacrosse League in the City of Rochester" Rowan said.
The Pegulas were joined at today's news conference by Mayor Warren who announced major upgrades at the facility totaling more than $18 million dollars.
Specifics on the sources of funding and what they will be used for can be found in the statement from the Mayor's Office below the renderings.
From the Mayor's Office:
Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) has pledged to invest up to $1.5 million to install a new scoreboard at the Blue Cross Arena (BCA). State Senators Joseph Robach and Richard Funke have also secured $3.5 million in State funding for BCA upgrades.The Senate funds bring the amount of State funds committed to the BCA to $13 million. Governor Andrew Cuomo has pledged to spend up to $6 million for BCA upgrades under the ROC the Riverway Program, and Rochester Assemblymembers Joseph Morelle, David Gantt and Harry Bronson have already secured $3.5 million for the BCA.
The City of Rochester has committed $3.3 million to the BCA for a number of capital projects, including the new marquee and a roof replacement. And the New York Power Authority has pledged $275,000 for lighting upgrades.
The ROC the Riverway funds will be used to enhance the facility’s position on the Genesee River by re-defining the River Terrace to give visitors a riverfront experience. The improvements will complement other ROC the Riverway projects, including the Broad Street Aqueduct, the Rundel Library North Terrace and the Riverside Convention Center renovations. It will also raise the visibility of the War Memorial Eternal Flame.
The Senate and Assembly funds will be used to create an addition along the Exchange Boulevard side of the building, which will include a new side entrance, a reconfigured office suite, an additional locker room and a larger concession area to optimize the fan experience. Also included within these funds are much-needed restroom upgrades and improvements to bring the audio-visual infrastructure into the modern age.
All these investments will set the stage for future upgrades totaling $22 million, which will make the BCA more competitive on a national level to bring in bigger events and acts.