Facility Notes

Tressel, Players Approve Of New FieldTurf At Ohio Stadium

Vancouver Arena Ltd. Partnership plans to build a 22-story office tower that will connect to GM Place. Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Chris Zimmerman was “uncertain about the project’s cost and potential opening date,” but said that the new building “will enhance the fan experience by providing new amenities like restaurants and retail shops.” Office tower tenants will be able to walk from their lobby onto the arena concourse for games or concerts (VANCOUVER SUN, 8/18)....Members of the Ohio State Univ. football team gave the new FieldTurf at Ohio Stadium “a unanimous thumbs up.” The $1M project was completed May 25, ten days ahead of schedule (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 8/20)....The Vikings extended their deal to hold training camp at Minnesota State Univ.-Mankato.  The current pact was set to expire in '09, "but the additional years were added as part of the upgrades the university did to the practice fields this year as well as other renovations."  The Vikings paid about one-quarter of the $400,000 cost (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/18)....A private investment group plans to build a wind tunnel in Charlotte by ’09. Wind Tunnel eXtreme “would be available to customers on a membership basis” (USA TODAY, 8/20).