A proposed Henderson AHL arena for a potential Vegas Golden Knights affiliate is drawing concerns from some residents, who fear it would create traffic problems and other issues.
The Golden Knights recently announced plans to work with officials in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas, to build a new arena at the site of Henderson Pavilion. That announcement came after it was revealed that the organization had reached an agreement to purchase the San Antonio Rampage franchise membership from Sports Sports & Entertainment and relocate it to the Las Vegas area after this season, pending AHL approvals.
Plans for the arena in Henderson are not finalized, but some supporters in the city have pointed to the proposed venue as a way to settle the long-term future of the troubled pavilion while potentially building a stronger partnership with the Golden Knights. In at least some circles, however, the planned venue is drawing its fair share of skepticism. Roughly a dozen residents spoke out against the plan at a city council meeting last week, with concerns raised about traffic and other quality of life issues. Discussions over the arena will continue, with a public presentation set for March 9. More from the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
The pushback comes on the heels of the Vegas Golden Knights announcing at Henderson’s annual State of the City address that it has plans for its future minor league affiliate to play in Nevada’s second-largest city. Mayor Debra March has said the city would pay for half the arena with up to $40 million.
The City Council last week heard from the public on the council’s plan to issue bonds to pay for multiple projects, including improvements to the pavilion.
Many attending the meeting took issue with the prospects of increased traffic in the neighborhood. Cole Sondrup told council members that he is concerned more traffic will bring crime. The area is already congested, he told elected officials.
“It is a part of our town that, by all accounts, does not need economic development,” he said.
If the planned purchase and relocation of the Rampage moves forward, the AHL club would play the 2020-21 season at Las Vegas’s Orleans Arena, though that venue is not intended to be its permanent home. The long-term facility plan calls for the proposed Henderson arena to host home games once it is completed, while the currently under-construction Lifeguard Arena would serve as the club’s practice facility and headquarters. Lifeguard Arena will be located in downtown Henderson, but is being built as part of a project that is separate from the proposed arena at the Henderson Pavilion site.
RELATED STORIES: Henderson AHL Arena Planning Continues; Golden Knights Planning Henderson AHL Arena;Planned Golden Knights AHL Affiliate to Play at Orleans Arena; Golden Knights to Buy, Relocate San Antonio Rampage; Vegas Golden Knights Could Buy, Relocate AHL Team
