Facility Notes

Qwest Center Omaha Will Host '12 Swimming Trials

CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS' Bill Shea reports Red Wings Owners Mike and Marian Ilitch Friday indicated that they “won’t renew their lease with Joe Louis Arena.” However, the announcement does not indicate that they “will build a new arena," as not renewing the current deal will "allow them to pursue a new lease at Joe Louis.” The Ilitches said that they “chose not to extend the current lease, which they were required to tell the city by Tuesday either way, to help the city resolve” the Cobo Arena situation (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 6/26).

POOL PLAY: USA Swimming has reached a deal to hold the '12 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at Qwest Center Omaha. The meet will run June 25-July 2, "overlapping at least one day, and possibly two, with the 2012 College World Series," which will be played in a new ballpark on the Qwest Center Omaha grounds. The events overlapping "was the biggest hurdle in negotiations that started in January." Qwest Center Omaha also hosted the '08 trials (OMAHA.com, 6/25).

YELLOW FLAG: In Daytona Beach, Jim Witters reports the Kansas Lottery Commission (KLC) "delayed its recommendation Thursday on a contract for a $400[M] casino and entertainment complex," a contract ISC and Cordish Co. "hope to win." ISC and Cordish "sought changes this week in contracts they are negotiating separately with Kansas Lottery staff members," who "asked lottery commissioners to petition the governor for a 60-day extension of the June 30 deadline" to award a contract. The KLC "agreed to ask Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson to extend the deadline" to August 28 (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 6/26).

TAX BURDEN: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reports sales tax receipts for the renovation of Lambeau Field are 6% "behind last year, but still are sufficient to pay off the remaining bonds in 2011." However, Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Exec Dir Patrick Webb said that if lower collections continue, they "might delay the retirement of the tax in 2014" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 6/26).

PEACH OF A DONATION: Georgia Tech AD Dan Radakovich said that a "donation that could reach" $15M has been given to the school and will be "used to renovate the seating at Alexander Memorial Coliseum." The name of the donor "has been withheld until the board of regents meets in August to formally approve the terms of the gift, which will involve some form of naming rights," and renovations "won't begin for at least two years" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/26).