Wild in Advanced Talks with Tim Walz, Others on Major Renovations for Xcel Energy Center

The Minnesota Wild have played at Xcel Energy Center since their arrival on the Minnesota sports scene back in 2000. You wouldn’t know that, if you visit the multi-talented downtown St. Paul venue today, and that’s a testament to those who designed it 25-ish years ago.

Major renovations coming for Xcel Energy Center

But, owner Craig Leipold has the city scrambling to plan, approve and execute major renovations the the Wild’s home arena. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), Leipold met with city officials last week, including mayor

“[At the end of October] Melvin Carter, the Mayor of St. Paul; Governor Tim Walz and Wild officials met to talk about renovations to Xcel Energy Center. Craig Leopold wants renovations done sooner, rather than later. So those meetings are starting to ramp up.”

Darren Wolfson (SKOR North – Mackey & Judd)

Unfortunately, Doogie didn’t have any details on what exactly the renovation would entail, but when pressed by Mackey & Judd co-host, Judd Zulgad, Wolfson made it clear the project will be an extensive one. He said he would expect updates to anything that may need it, including seats, concourse, upper level, suites, boards, etc.

Let’s be real, if this was a small project, Craig Leopold wouldn’t be meeting with the mayor and governor about it in hush hush fashion. If curious about what might be in the plans, Wolfson said he would look at what has gone into some of the state of the art arenas built in recent years.