Are the Washington Capitals in need of a new home? Not a new city, but a new building?
Not surprisingly, answering that question is extremely complex and multifaceted, as the pertinent factors in determining the appropriate service life of an arena are seemingly endless. However, we can begin to draw data from past experiences to get a better grasp of where things currently sit.
Looking back, the Capitals previous home at the Capital Centre opened in 1973 and closed in 1999. That’s a service life of 26 years, and as you will see, very typical for buildings of this nature.
But before we focus on the Capitals, let’s get a sense of where the league sits with regards to overall age of arenas.
AGE OF CURRENT NHL ARENAS
The following table lists the age of the arenas for all 32 NHL teams, including the Arizona Coyotes, who will be moving into a new, but temporary facility, starting this season.
The league’s current slate of arenas experienced two significant building booms in the 1990’s – 1996 (6) and 1999 (4), which is key a factor, as this will also likely signal another similar boom in the coming years.
That’s because nearly half of the NHL’s current arenas are approaching their intended design life. 20 of the current 32 arenas were built before the year 2000 (over 20 years ago) with an average age of the league’s arena’s sitting around 21.5 years (that includes a 0 forArizona). Only nine arenas are less than 20 years old.
So what is the typical lifespan of an NHL arena you ask?
Life-span estimates for arenas take into account past building life spans as well as the service life of general components of an arena. This includes the life span of building materials (plumbing, pipes, cabling, insulation, steel, etc.), building systems (ice-making system, HVAC, lighting, public address system, etc.) and all other components contained within a sports arena. Once the replacement costs for all materials exceed 50% of the value of the facility, it’s time to move on.
As a result, planning and design guidelines and facilities estimation resources state that 25-35 years is the best range for a “design life” of an arena, with 30-year bonds being the most typical funding source.
Capital One Arena is the 15th oldest arena in the NHL at 25 years of age. That’s not bad, but it does signal that the end-of-life for the facility is approaching. Planning, permitting, design and construction for a facility such as an NHL arena typically runs anywhere from 3-5 years, so decisions regarding replacement need to be in the works if a new facility is to open in 2027.
That’s because it’s been reported that Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s lease for the current arena will expire in 2027. That would be ideal timing for a new arena to be planned, designed and constructed, IF planning has already begun. It’s likely that it has.
By Jon Sorensen
Good piece. New arena boom in 5 years.
??
The current location is so ideal, considering transportation, central to population, etc. It will be interesting to see how they eventually handle a new building. Relocated for two years, demo/rebuild at current site, might be the best option.
Ted has done upgrades. So not all of the arena is 25 years old. I think that is important. If the facility can easily be regularly updated/upgraded, it should have a longer lifespan (retooling instead of rebuilding to steal from another article).
To me, if the current arena can be upgraded in place, the two reasons for a move are to find a different neighborhood (as Snyder is doing for the WTF) or to expand beyond its current available footprint.
As you say Jon, I don’t think Ted can find a better location. I do not believe going to the suburbs would help the arena (Caps, Wizards, and other events). He might benefit from more seats but 18,000 is a good number. More seats farther away might not be good sells — especially after Ovi retires. Might benefit from more concessions but could he buy some real estate adjoining the Wallet and not have to either demolish it or move?
Lightning’s Amalie is older and I have not read any article indicating that anyone is thinking of replacing it or moving it. That neighborhood has been and is and will be moving from vacant parking lots to offices, USF School of Medicine, apartments and condos and if they were going to make any major change I think it would have already appeared in their master plans.
I think it’s important to differentiate between fan-facing elements, and the building itself. Ted has done a great job keeping the place fresh (new seats, new video displays, etc). It’s the building elements that age out.
I like the idea of demo and rebuild. It truly is a great location and that area has been built around the arena. But not sure where they would play in the interim.
Maybe they can buy land in NW and build there. Or maybe near Nats park but i wouldn’t like that as much.
Agree with you on all points, even where could they go in the interim?
Current location hits all of the marks, in my book.
I’ve forgotten what their lease arrangement is.
It’s hard to believe they couldn’t renovate the current building a lot cheaper that building a new one. There have already been some significant modernizations done.
I also can’t imagine another location.
Didn’t they just do a refurbish? It’s hard to keep up. New seats went in 5 years ago? Anyway, at some point they can’t keep refurbishing.
Yeah, it doesn’t feel that old to me. Part of it is the game day experience is still really strong. Easily accessible (unlike FedEx). Sports book, new food options. Seats are fine. But didn’t realize Jon’s point of lease being up. I’m sure that can be extended. I can’t imagine they want to make a major change like that in the Ovi years.
Lease is not up for 5 years, but as article states, that about the time it takes to get something done, whatever that may be.
GREAT piece. I was just thinking about this recently and you answered my questions or helped me realize that nobody knows. The nobody knows is obviously a big ? in all of this. I’m most interested in where they play while the new arena is being built. I’d have to assume that the Wizards would relocate to the same place. Or would they?
Regardless, we can all agree that the new arena has to be IN the city, correct? None of this MD or VA mess, right?
Thanks Harrison.
I think most would agree the current location is the best for all fans.
redevelop RFK to be the new Caps/Wizards home arena! would be so much better than having the WFT go there (not that they are going to…)
Well, part of it for me is whether or not Daisy can maintain safety standards. Last time we went up there we almost got run over by an ATV. I lived in DC for a long time and it’s become really uncomfortable for me to visit that area recently. Additionally, I don’t enjoy the fact that I have to walk around in plumes of marijuana smoke as I’m trying to get into the arena with my really small child. So, arguably it might be better to relocate to a more family friendly area.
Once the FBI relocated and the current monstrosity of a building taken down it would be a perfect spot to drop a new arena.
I didn’t realize they were relocating. That is PRIME real estate.
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