PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Cumberland County Civic Center's trustees are weighing whether to shut down the arena during a $33 million renovation project.
Closing the arena would potentially speed up the project, but would mean giving up revenue, which would have an effect on area restaurants and hotels.
Board chairman Neal Pratt says trustees hope to pick a construction management firm by mid-February. Once that is done, they will set a project schedule and decide whether to work around concerts, hockey games and other events or shut the doors.
The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/wZOcNq) reports that the work includes changing entrances and eliminating dangerous outside stairs. It would also create premium seating areas and suites, widen the concourses, improve concession and ticket areas, and upgrade backstage facilities.
