Oakland-Almeda County Coliseum President George Vukasin said
yesterday that if the A's and Warriors leave town, the facility
will turn to the CFL, soccer and other entertainment to keep the
Coliseum and the adjacent Oakland Coliseum Arena open. Vukasin
contended the Arena can make a profit without an NBA tenant if
other professional franchises are brought to Oakland: "We can
keep the facility busy. Our goal is to keep the facility state-
of-the-art with primary sports teams as tenants." But Alameda
County Supervisor Don Perata said a CFL franchise is not an
acceptable alternative to losing the A's and Warriors: "To win a
CFL franchise is not winning. The CFL is just a little ahead of
tractor pulls, roller blade hockey and arena football -- and with
them you're just a valley town." Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris said
he plans on keeping the A's and Warriors in town: "We intend to
maintain our franchises and expand them. In addition to the NFL,
we are talking to the CFL and are constructively engaged in
conversation with the Warriors." Harris added: "We are working
to keep what we have rather than work to attract something you
don't have" (Gregory Lewis, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER, 10/14).
PARKING FEES: The '95 budget approved by the Coliseum's
board increased parking by $1. Starting October 25, parking
rates for all Coliseum events will increase to $7 for cars, $11
for limos and $12 for buses. Vukasin: "That keeps us in line
with other facilities in the area" (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE,
10/13).
