MassMutual Center lays out renovation plans after $93M investment announcement

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Western Mass News is getting answers after Governor Healey announced on Thursday a massive $93 million investment to upgrade Springfield’s MassMutual Center. The historic funding comes with an agreement in principle from the Springfield Thunderbirds to stay in the city long-term.

The MassMutual Center said they’re taking a phased approach installing these upgrades over the next five years.

Western Mass News spoke with MassMutual Center General Manager Sean Dolan. Dolan explained that while work is already underway for new concession stands this fall, they plan to introduce more major changes like loge box seating and a new jumbotron by next summer carefully working around Thunderbirds games, “one of the most important things about all of this is that relationship with the thunderbirds. They are so important to us and so important to the community. So, everything that we’re doing here, we’re looking to phase around their season we want to make sure they are not negatively impacted in any way, and all of this is meant to be a support to them and their operation,” Dolan said.

We also spoke with local business owner Nichole Banks, owner of ‘Go Bananas! Banana Pudding’. She told Western Mass News this investment is a historic boost for the entire city that will bring people together in a powerful way, “it’s really good for Springfield to be able to do something for the people. Because sometimes things will happen, and then they just don’t last. So, to have something in the city making sure people come together and have a good time, it’s nice,” Banks said.

MassMutual Center also told us this investment will guarantee folks keep returning to Springfield over other destination markets in the area.