Facility Notes

Renovation Of Famous "A" Expected To Be Completed By End Of September

In L.A., Doug Padilla reports Angel Stadium's "famous 'Big A' on the west side of the 57 freeway in the stadium's parking lot is in the early phases of an upgrade that is being paid for entirely with the team's money." The old one-color video board, which "hasn't been operational most of this year, will be replaced by a full-color high-definition video board." Angels Owner Arte Moreno is putting up more than $1M of his "own money to renovate the landmark." The team said that the project is "expected to be completed by the end of September" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 8/26).

BIG CROWD EXPECTED: In K.C., Pete Grathoff notes Mexican soccer clubs Chivas de Guadalajara and Club America will play each other September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, and SUM President Doug Quinn "thinks this game may break the record for the largest soccer crowd in Kansas City history." The current record is 37,319 for an '01 U.S. men's national team match against Costa Rica (K.C. STAR, 8/26).

BUILDING BLOCKS: Magic and Orlando officials indicated that 35% of the Amway Center construction contracts awarded so far "have gone to businesses owned by minorities or women -- an apparent nationwide record." Magic COO Alex Martins: "We are setting new benchmarks for professional sports facilities that have never been reached before." In Orlando, Mark Schlueb notes with "three-quarters of the contracts awarded," 9.8% have gone to Hispanic firms, 9.2% have gone to African-American companies, while another 7% have "been awarded to companies owned by women" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/26).

ROOF REPAIRS: In Vancouver, Austin & Mercer report B.C.'s "budget-deficit problems may delay" the re-roofing of B.C. Place Stadium. B.C. officials "promised a retractable roof as part of" a C$365M upgrade that Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger yesterday indicated is "behind schedule." The "promise of an open-air stadium played a strong part in the Whitecaps' aim to land a new franchise in MLS" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 8/26).