Local leaders to discuss future of KeyBank Center with lease set to expire next year
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The future ownership of KeyBank Center is up in the air as Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said his goal has always been to get the county out of the arena business.
KeyBank Center's lease is set to expire in September 2026, according to the county. Poloncarz said this is not something where he's concerned about losing the Sabres, saying Buffalo is a great hockey market.
The team has through this September to give the county notice on whether they want to extend the lease or re-negotiate it, Poloncarz said. He also said the lease is a very complicated formula involving the county, city, state and other agencies.
Poloncarz said the county owns the shell of the building, while the city owns the land, and the team is responsible for interior upkeep.
When asked why Poloncarz would want to get the county out of the arena business, he said it's because the county is responsible for liability. He said they delayed the KeyBank extension or re-negotiation notification last year because of construction at the new Bills stadium.
"They have the power under the current agreement to give us notice that they either want to extend it, want to renegotiate it, and they can extend it for five year terms, but they have until September two to give us that," Poloncarz said. "We delayed it. It was supposed to be last year, but we delayed it one year because the team wasn't ready. Why? Because the owners are building a football stadium in Orchard Park and that's their primary focus. I expect the team to stay here for many, many years to come. I don't expect the team to leave."
“I don't think we should. I don't think that's in our purview," acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon said. "I think we continue to work with our partners, Erie County, the Sabres, to make sure that the stadium is there, the arena is there for years to come and a great experience for residents.”
Scanlon said he doesn't think the city should get into the arena business and that he will be sitting down with the county and the Sabres organization soon for further discussions.
“We have always maintained an exceptional relationship with Mark Poloncarz and Erie County and we have been in consistent contact on the future of KeyBank Center," Pete Guelli, COO of the Bills and Sabres, said in a statement. "The current lease provides a number of options that will allow us to find a solution for everyone involved that will ensure the long-term success of the Sabres and KeyBank Center.”
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.