Facility Notes

David Stern Confident Nets Will Move To Atlantic Yards In Brooklyn

In N.Y., Lenn Robbins notes although there "remains some opposition to the Nets' move to Brooklyn," NBA Commissioner David Stern yesterday "seemed confident it will happen." Stern: "The Nets are going to be on this side of the river, so as a result I think the Brooklyn Nets will have a cache that's very good for the team, its fans and the NBA. I remain confident that [Forest City Ratner CEO and Nets Owner] Bruce Ratner is accurate in telling us that they're going to begin construction by the end of the year" (N.Y. POST, 6/2). Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine said he “heard a lot of things that don’t jibe with the facts” regarding Devils Owner Jeff Vanderbeek’s comments about closing Izod Center. Corzine insisted that Izod, rather than being a ‘patronage haven’ as described by Vanderbeek, actually has significantly reduced its staff in the past few years to cut costs.” Corzine said the NJSEA is “not losing money” at Izod Center (Bergen RECORD, 6/2).

THE WASTE LAND: In St. Petersburg, David DeCamp reports environmental hazards at the Toytown landfill in "could lay waste to hopes in building a new" Rays ballpark at the site. The "old landfill made the speculative list of potential sites because of its central location and considerable size." But building atop the 240-acre landfill "would mean drilling pilings through an aging stew of waste to reach clay -- while avoiding a rupture into the aquifer below." The development group hired by Pinellas County, led by Ohio-based Bear Creek Capital, "has not included plans for a new stadium at the site," and its "initial plans specifically avoided the risk of putting pilings deep into the clay" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/2).

DOWNS AFTER DARK: In Louisville, Gregory Hall notes Churchill Downs "aims to make its first night racing special with live music and new menus to go with higher admission prices." The first night of racing on June 19 "will have a $10 admission charge, and the other nights -- June 26 and July 2 -- will cost $6 each." The "normal admission outside of three days during Kentucky Derby week is $3." Among the "special offerings on the first night, Churchill will let patrons walk a red carpet and be interviewed as they arrive." The paddock area "will remain open to the general public with a Budweiser Select beer garden and normal Friday happy-hour food and beverage specials." Happy-hour pricing "will be in effect from 4 to 8 p.m." (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 6/2).

MUSICAL CHAIRS: TICKETNEWS.com's Grossweiner & Cohen cited sources as saying that musician Paul McCartney "will be the first artist to perform at Citi Field," with shows scheduled for July 17th and 18th. There also "may be a third date added on July 21" (TICKETNEWS.com, 5/29). McCartney, who played the first concert at Shea Stadium, also "appeared at the final concert held at the now demolished Shea, as a guest star for Billy Joel's series of shows there" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/30).