Two years have passed since it was first rumored that a professional hockey team may be headed to the Coachella Valley. Since then, the American Hockey League has officially named the valley the home of the new Seattle Kraken NHL affiliate and a $250 million arena has been approved for construction by Riverside County. Groundbreaking for the arena is Wednesday, June 2. The arena will be built on 43.35 acres of unincorporated leased land owned by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, adjacent to Classic Club golf course north of Interstate 10 near Palm Desert. The arena, which will be privately funded by Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment company Oak View Group, is expected to be completed within 17 months, with a goal of being finished prior to the start of the hockey season in October 2022.