City of Charlotte OKs funding for Coliseum

The Charlotte Checkers announced on Monday that the Charlotte City Council has approved $16 million in renovations to Bojangles’ Coliseum, making it possible for the Checkers to begin play there for the 2015-16 season.

The approved funding is comprised of $12 million that the CRVA previously proposed for amateur sports and civic events. The additional $4 million is needed to accommodate the Checkers and the infrastructure demands of an American Hockey League team.

Under a 10-year agreement with two five-year options previously made between the Checkers and the CRVA, the approved funding will go towards a new video board, external digital marquees, digital ribbon boards, new seats, new premium seating areas, internal branding specific to the Checkers, new hockey-related amenities and other upgrades.

The Checkers, who occupied Bojangles’ Coliseum at various points between 1956 and 2005, will complete the 2014-15 season at Time Warner Cable Arena.