Rochester Opts For Plan To Renovate 61-Year-Old Indoor Arena

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Rochester officials have committed to a multistage renovation of the western New York city's fading 61-year-old indoor arena over the construction of a new facility.

Mayor Lovely Warren said the cost of a new stadium is too much for the city during the unveiling of a new marquee at Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday.

Instead, Rochester is moving forward with a plan to renovate the 1955 arena backed by $10.5 million in state funding. The state has not yet released the money to the city.

Warren said she's optimistic that additional funds will be secured within the next couple of weeks or months and work can begin this summer.

The NHL's Buffalo Sabres declined to host a preseason game at the arena earlier this year after deeming it inadequate.