By R.V. Baugus
Ah, KeyArena. The green and gold of the Seattle SuperSonics and some of the loudest fans in the National Basketball Association who were crazy about their team. Jack Sikma, Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, and, hey, even Kevin Durant for a year before the team relocated to Oklahoma City.
But now work continues on the old Key for a new National Hockey League arena that is ongoing in the midst of 
COVID-19. The development project led by Oak View Group is slated for a 2021 opening and will also serve as home to the Seattle Storm of the WNBA. The NHL awarded the franchise in December 2018 and, other than an iconic roof, fans will see a new venue inside the old venue. The original opened n 1962 for the World’s Fair and had a major renovation in 1995.
Now, 35 years later, the $930 million New Arena at Seattle Center moves along s the venue’s square footage will double to 855,999 for state-of-the-art back of house, hospitality, loading and concessions areas.
About that roof. The removal of the temporary roof support has now started and, once finished, the new roof will appear as though it is floating. On the north and west sides of the complex, foundation excavation, new foundation placement, waterproofing and shotcrete work is continuing during daytime hours only, while on the south side, lagging, tieback, foundation placement and excavation work is also going ahead. On the east side, construction work including waterproofing, shotcrete, foundation excavation and new foundation placement continues.
The roof of the former KeyArena has been designated as a historic landmark, having been a part of the Seattle skyline since the facility opened in 1962. Given its status, it was decided that the roof would remain in place during the revamp.
Other projects around the country are in various phases of construction during the pandemic. Two of the biggest and most anticipated new football stadiums are also moving forward with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, for the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, as well as the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the Raiders.
One new arena that is on hold due to the pandemic is for the NHL New York Islanders, who are building a 19,000-seat venue as part of a $1.3 billion Belmont Park redevelopment project. The team broke ground on the area last September.
