from Matt Calkins of the Seattle Times,

It’s finally here.

After years of political tension and city-wide debates, after exploding budgets and construction delays, after a pandemic that did whatever it could to halt the opening — Climate Pledge Arena is ready.

No doubt that the birth of the NHL’s Kraken has energized and galvanized a sports-obsessed city that finally has a pro team to cheer for in the winter. But you have to think this town is equally stoked about the arrival of a state-of-the-art arena.

After all, many probably felt like this day would never come. They saw Chris Hansen’s Sodo project repeatedly torpedoed and figured a shiny new building was nothing more than a pipe dream.

But with the renovation of the old KeyArena, customers can expect an experience commensurate with a world-class venue. At least that’s what Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke is selling.

“This building is going to change the industry,” Leiweke said. “This could be one of the top two or three buildings in the world.”

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