Sabres acquire land, start work on hockey complex near arena

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have the deed in hand, giving them the go-ahead to develop a $172 million hockey-themed entertainment complex across from their downtown arena.

Sabres chief development officer Cliff Benson and Mayor Byron Brown officially signed the paperwork to transfer the former parking lot in exchange for $2.2 million on Friday.

Construction crews have already broken ground, with work scheduled to be done by spring 2015. Once completed, the complex will include two ice rinks, a 200-room hotel overlooking the city's harbor front, a parking ramp and retail space.

Called HARBORcenter, the complex will serve as home to the Buffalo Regals, a local minor hockey association, which the Sabres acquired this week. The Sabres also hope to acquire national and international hockey tournaments.