Facility Notes

FA, Multiplex Say Wembley Stadium Nearing Completion

The English FA and construction company Multiplex announced that “after eight years of delays, rising costs and legal wrangles, the new Wembley Stadium will finally be completed within a few months — and will definitely host next year’s FA Cup Final.” Multiplex, which “spent the last four years rebuilding” the venue, “recently warned that the ground might not be ready until 2010” (Denis Campbell, London OBSERVER, 10/15).

DYER’S EVE: In Orlando, Mark Schleub reports Orlando city commissioners yesterday agreed to buy the “favored site for the Magic’s new downtown arena for $35.5[M], despite concerns the purchase is premature.” Their agreeing to buy the 9.4-acre site came “at Mayor Buddy Dyer’s request.” The council approved the purchase “even though the City Council and Orange County Commission have yet to” approve agreements to pay for the new arena and performing-arts center and Citrus Bowl renovation. Also, the city has still not negotiated a lease with the Magic (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/17).

CAUSEWAY COGS: TD Banknorth Garden President John Wentzell said that the arena’s Boardroom luxury seating area, “where memberships go for $15,000 a year,” is sold out. Seventy memberships were sold and a waiting list has been created. The arena has also sold 30% of the roughly 1,000 memberships “to the much larger Sports Deck, beating its first-year estimates.” That area features a “bar-like atmosphere for roughly 260 fans to mingle and watch the action” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/17).