Facility Notes

In Chicago, Sean Jensen reports the Bears' home stadium "will remain" known as Soldier Field, regardless of who wins election as the city's next Mayor. Spokespersons for three of the top mayoral candidates said that they “would not consider a name change in any way, while one would be open to exploring the subject only if it included" the name "Soldier Field.” Mayoral candidates Rahm Emanuel, Carol Moseley Braun and Miguel del Valle “are adopting the same hard-line stance as Mayor Daley, who insisted the stadium name remain untouched.” Brooke Anderson, spokesperson for candidate Gery Chico, said, "He would be open to exploring creative ideas that could attract sponsors while preserving the Soldier Field name and stadium to give soldiers the respect they deserve" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/9).

THAT’S A WRAP: In London, Graham Ruddick reports LOCOG has “reinstated plans for a fabric curtain to wrap around the Olympic Stadium by asking the private sector to stump up the cash.” LOCOG “asked for expressions of interest from businesses to supply” the US$11.3M wrap, and said it will "explore possible sponsorship opportunities." Potential sponsorship opportunities are “unclear because branding is not allowed on Olympic venues during Games time.” But LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton said it is "one of the last high-profile opportunities for a corporate sponsor to gain an association with the London 2012 Games" (London TELEGRAPH, 2/9).

EXTREME ARENA MAKEOVER: In Oklahoma City, Michael Baker notes the City Council yesterday “awarded about $36 million in contracts to finish" Oklahoma City Arena improvements, the "last pieces of a $100 million overhaul.” The final phase of the project will include “two new bars, a new restaurant, completion of locker rooms for coaches and an addition to the building that will include two floors of NBA offices.” Exterior lighting, landscaping and a "new entryway on the southwest side of the building also will be part of the project” (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 2/9).