Allentown Arena Won't Be Ready Until 2014, According To Report

The $234 million hockey arena being constructed in Allentown will not be ready for the 2013-14 season, as was originally anticipated, due to delays in construction, according to a report by The Morning Call.

Citing documents used to sell bonds to prospective buyers, the report states that the arena should be ready sometime after Aug. 1, 2014.

The delays had largely been the product of legal issues that had risen with the community in March, when 18 municipalities and one school district sued to challenge the use of suburban tax collections to aide in the payment of the arena. By June, a law was put into place that removed the suburban money.

While the legal battle ensued the city was unable to sell bonds to fund the construction, which slowed progress considerably.

The Philadelphia Flyers minor league affiliate club, the Adirondack Phantoms, are the prospective tenants of the new building. While ownership declined to comment, the club has reported a great deal of interest in prospective season ticket buyers and is still preparing for a 2013 start.

"People are excited. Interest is high," said Erik Hansen, Phantoms vice president of ticket sales. "We're still selling season tickets for 2013 until someone tells us otherwise. We are telling people that they will not be charged for any games that aren't played on Hamilton Street."

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