The Columbus Blue Jackets' current home, Nationwide Arena, needs over $60 million in repairs, and if they don't happen soon, major issues could arise.
Maintaining NHL arenas is challenging. Most modern facilities become outdated after about 25 years. To keep Nationwide Arena in good condition, it will need significant repairs costing over $60 million.
These repairs range from cosmetic to major structural fixes. Without these updates, the Blue Jackets risk their arena becoming unusable. Jason Newland of The Hockey News shared the following list of required repairs:
While this list doesn't cover all the needed repairs, it highlights some crucial updates. While a new scoreboard is a luxury, repairing the roof and ensuring proper cooling are essential. Replacing the fire alarm system is crucial for the safety of everyone in the building.
With multiple teams using the arena, the cost won't fall entirely on the Blue Jackets. However, it's important that these repairs happen sooner rather than later.
