Of course the arena will have a roof. But this is a view of how the new Red Wings Arena will look. -- Photo by Terry Foster

By Terry Foster

@TerryFoster971

Detroit — I am going to say something uncomfortable for many of you.

Detroit is no longer “Hockeytown.” It used to be. It can be again. But this is no longer the “Hockeytown” although it remains a hockey town.

The Red Wings are not in the top five in viewership in the NHL. They rank third in attendance, which is wonderful but shows a small but rabid fan base.

However, I saw something the other day that is spectacular, breathtaking and exciting and can generate enough interest to make this “Hockeytown” again.

We were given a sneak preview of the new 20,000-seat Red Wings Arena which is to open before the 2017 season on Woodward and Temple. There is no question that this is a well thought out plan that is going to give a boost to downtown, Midtown and to Red Wings fans.

And, yes my media friends, there is going to be a real press box instead of the afterthought that the working press uses at Joe Louis Arena.

There will also be relief for fans. You guys crawl around in a 30-foot wide corridor at the Joe. This one will be 100-foot wide under a glass atrium.

The JLA is so antiquated and sparse that I do not blame you for not wanting to go there. The steps outside are too dangerous. You have to hold your nose at the smell outside and once inside you are stuffed into seats that are too small and are coming apart.

You are about to be amazed at the new structure

Some of the features in the news stadium include:

** An outdoor plaza with a giant screen to view critical playoff games, enjoy the Tigers Opening Day and when the Lions finally make the Super Bowl. It will be a gathering spot for some of Detroit’s bigger days. I love to float around downtown on Opening Day. This will be a new stop for me.

** The Red Wings will have an underground practice rink. It also appears as if the rink can be rented out for groups when the Red Wings are not using it.

** The Red Wings front office will be housed in a structure that surrounds the arena.

** The suites will be larger and include a five screen television set up to view games and special messages. The refrigerators will be larger and fans can pull their beverages from eye level rather than bending over to get beers and soft drinks. Many of the suites will be closer to ice level.

It is just a model. The real arena is under construction and you can see the shell of the stadium growing from its underground roots. It does not capture what this building will be about yet. The model does.

This new arena will make this Hockey Town again because fans will feel good about the building. And it will also make Detroit a free agent destination again because the top people will want to play here.

And once again this city will sing “Hey! Hey! Hockey Town!” But this time with meaning.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)