The renovation of Jeld-Wen Field, the home of the MLS Portland Timbers, has won the Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture by the S.F. chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The $40M renovation, completed in time for the Timbers’ inaugural season in '11, was praised for “balancing contemporary architecture with the historic character of the iconic downtown stadium.” The stadium was originally built in '26. AECOM was the architect of the project. ICON Venue Group served as project manager and Turner Construction was the general contractor. The Timbers have sold out every game at Jeld-Wen Field (Christopher Botta, SportsBusiness Journal).
TEXAS HOLD 'EM: In Dallas, Robert Wilonsky reported the Univ. of Oklahoma “has agreed to keep playing the University of Texas at the Cotton Bowl through 2020.” Dallas Parks & Recreation Department Facilities Manager Louise Elam said that OU has “sent the contract to the State Fair of Texas.” State Fair of Texas Sports Committee Chair Pete Schenkel said, “They’ve both indicated we’ve got a deal, I’m just waiting to get them signed up.” Wilonsky noted the city “is about to spend $25.5 million on rehabbing the Cotton Bowl, yet again, in an effort to keep the Red River Rivalry in Dallas.” UT and OU’s current deal with the State Fair of Texas “expires in 2015” (DALLASNEWS.com, 5/3).
TRACK MEET: In London, Tom Cary reports an American consortium financed out of New York and working with partners including Virgin Group “is back in the running to take over a long-term lease" at the Silverstone Circuit, site of the F1 British Grand Prix. The British Racing Drivers' Club, “which owns the circuit, agreed [to] a period of exclusivity last autumn with a mysterious group, believed to be Qatari-backed, and a deal was expected to be concluded over the winter.” Cary notes that deal “appears to have fallen through, however, with the BRDC releasing a statement yesterday saying the period of exclusivity was over and it was keen to speak to ‘interested parties’” (London TELEGRAPH, 5/4).
