Suns fans weigh in on debate surrounding renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- The talk over whether to renovate the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Downtown Phoenix continues, as a public meetings on the plan are scheduled.

A proposal to spend $230 million to renovate the arena was delayed in December 2018 by the Phoenix City Council. This latest proposal would call for the city to foot $150 million of the project, while the Phoenix Suns would pick up $80 million, and extending the Suns' contract to play in the arena until at least 2032, 13 years from now.

Currently, the Talking Stick Resort Arena is nearly 30 years old, and is the oldest in the NBA that is not being renovated.

As the debate continues, Phoenix Suns fans were surprisingly in support of the renovation plan, saying the Suns need all the PR help they can get. That is is very different from the online response, where the views were mixed.

Fans at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Wednesday say a new look could also boost the morale for the team.

"It needs to be done, if they want to keep getting more fans here," said one fan.

However, with the team's lackluster record, the question remains on whether the investment would be worth it. There's also speculation the Suns may move out of Phoenix, something the team's CEO, Jason Rowley, has denied.

"The reality is we have made zero threats about going to any other city," said Rowley.

Another team where relocation rumors have swirled is the Arizona Coyotes, whose contract with the Gila River Arena in Glendale is up soon. However, the team's CEO, Ahron Cohen, wrote a letter that reaffirmed the team's commitment to the Valley, reading, in part:

"Every potential investment opportunity we evaluate and every business deal we consider is predicated on making our franchise successful here in arizona for decades to come. Arizona is our home."

Could this reignite the talk of the Suns sharing the Talking Stick Resort Arena with the Coyotes?

"Kind of centralize all of the stadiums together would be nice," said one person.

Talking Stick Resort Arena public meetings

1st Meeting: Saturday, January 5, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Talking Stick Resort Arena
201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

2nd Meeting: Monday, January 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Paradise Valley Community Center
17402 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032

3rd Meeting: Tuesday, January 8, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Goelet A. C. Beuf Community Center
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85027

4th Meeting: Wednesday, January 9, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
South Mountain Community Center
212 E. Alta Vista Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85042

5th Meeting: Thursday, January 10, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Desert West Community Center
6501 W. Virginia Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85035