Golden Knights announce plans for new arena for future AHL affiliate

The Vegas Golden Knights are planning for a 6,000-seat arena to be the new gameday home for their future AHL affiliate, the team announced Thursday.

Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and president Kerry Bubolz confirmed at the Henderson State of the City address that the newly-purchased American League affiliate will practice and be headquarted at Lifeguard Arena — the facility built on Water Street — but gamedays will take part at this new arena to be built at Henderson Pavilion.

📢 BREAKING NEWS: 📢 We are thrilled to share with you the vision the @GoldenKnights family has for the Henderson Pavilion! #HendersonSOTC #GoKnightsGo pic.twitter.com/ryAhai6UzV

— City of Henderson (@cityofhenderson) February 13, 2020

The Golden Knights purchased the San Antonio Rampage on Feb. 6 with plans to file for relocation following this season, pending approval from the AHL Board of Governors. The new AHL affiliate, which is reported to be named the Henderson Silver Knights, will play the 2020-21 season at Orleans Arena, the team confirmed Wednesday.

Foley confirmed that ‘Henderson’ will be in the team name.

“The Golden Knights and the City of Henderson have demonstrated a commitment to bringing major professional sports to this great community and growing the game of hockey in our region,” Foley said in a statement provided by the team. “The City has been an outstanding partner on both of these ambitious projects and we look forward to our shared vision becoming a reality.”

Lifeguard Arena will have an interior much similar to City National Arena — two NHL-sized rinks with a restaurant overlooking the ice.

Get ready for @GoldenKnights youth and adult hockey leagues, public skating and game viewing parties indoors and outdoors on the newly designed plaza. In addition, the facility will have two NHL-sized rinks along with a restaurant overlooking the ice. #HendersonSOTC #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/cIaPDxMzzs

— City of Henderson (@cityofhenderson) February 13, 2020

Lifeguard Arena is still tentatively scheduled to be opened and running for business this July.

Foley said he has received at least 5,300 deposits for season tickets starting next season. Deposits are $50, and season tickets will start at $10 per game.

Speaking of tickets, there’s still time to get tickets to tonight’s Golden Knights game against the St. Louis Blues. You can go to Stubhub right now and get last-minute tickets; some are going for as low as $75. Not bad for a game against the reigning Stanley Cup champs.