Task Force Recommending A New Arena For The NBA Kings

A task force of Sacramento business leaders found that renovating Arco Arena "would prove as expensive as building a new arena," and will recommend a new arena for the city, according to Terri Hardy of the SACRAMENTO BEE. Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce President Matt Mahood said, "We will need to build a new sports and entertainment center, and there is a sense of urgency that it needs to be in about five years." The task force concluded that there is a taxpayer contribution of 70-85% for a typical arena and that "that level of public funding is appropriate for a new Sacramento arena." The group did not outline funding plans or sites, but concluded that a "regional funding plan should be considered and should include a variety of funding sources — self-imposed business assessments, sales and property tax hikes, and surcharges on hotel stays and car rentals." Kings co-Owner Gavin Maloof: "We're excited and we're glad that people are looking at a new arena sooner rather than later. Business leaders are viewing this as a positive for the community, not just a Joe and Gavin (Maloof) deal" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 5/7).