After years of negotiations, the Carolina Hurricanes are extending their lease at the RBC Center. The team’s new lease with the arena is extended from 2019 through 2024.

In exchange for the longer lease, the Centennial Authority, the public agency which runs the arena, will help the Hurricanes cover rising utility bills, game day expenses and terrorism insurance.

“We’re doing things to keep the building state of the art so fans will want to come,” said Centennial Authority Chairman Ray Rouse. “That is our purpose and this longer lease will help ensure that.”

Fans should see improvements this fall because of the new deal.

A new sound system is being installed, along with a new club-level restaurant, new flat screen televisions and the ability to pay for concessions with credit cards.

Hurricanes officials believe the improvements will enhance fans’ experience and that will mean more fans coming through the doors. Although team officials admit the help was needed to maintain the bottom line there was never talk of the team leaving town.

“This is another step in our belief in the growth in the sport of hockey and the Hurricanes and we want to stay here a long time,” said Jim Rutherford, the Hurricanes’ General Manager.

The City of Raleigh and Wake County, both partners in the Authority, are both pledging more than $1 million per year from the hotel and restaurant tax to upgrade the arena.

North Carolina State University, another partner, is giving $6 million to fix up parking and basketball facilities.

The Authority pays the city and county each $1 million per year in fees in lieu of taxes.