The Ice Palace "just completed a successful first year"
under MI-based Palace Sports & Entertainment (PSE) and arena
& Lightning Owner William Davidson, according to Ira Kaufman
of the TAMPA TRIBUNE, who writes that construction crews
"are working briskly" to complete two projects in the
facility. A 13,000-square-foot entertainment center with
three bars, HDTVs and an interactive stage area is being
built on the main plaza, while construction is also underway
on the Nextlink Channelside Club, "an all-inclusive section"
on the south end of the suite level that will include a
cigar bar and "premier" seating for 500 patrons. There is
also a new Marriott across the street from the arena,
serving as a convention center hotel. Lightning CEO Tom
Wilson, on the developments at the arena: "We predicted when
we took over that you won't recognize this area in five
years and we're sticking to that statement. Development is
booming and we're going to keep pouring millions of dollars
into the building. On the ice, I'm optimistic we will be
much improved." Wilson said that the arena had 38 concerts
in the first year under PSE and attendance increased 38%
over that same time. Lightning President Ron Campbell said
that the arena "is still discussing naming rights with
several suitors," including Alltel, which just acquired GTE
Wireless' Tampa Bay-area unit (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/20).
