In Edmonton, Allison Salz reports an update on the progress of the Oilers' new downtown arena "has been pushed back two weeks -- while project managers try to whittle down the cost." The progress report was "expected to be presented to council July 4, but will now likely take place July 17, as planners look to ensure that the costs don’t exceed" the projected C$450M. Project manager Rick Daviss said that planners will "now make tweaks to a number of design features to see how they affect the cost" (EDMONTON SUN, 6/28).
FROZEN TUNDRA: In Green Bay, Paul Srubas notes members of the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Stadium District and area journalists yesterday toured Lambeau Field's south endzone expansion, where nearly 7,000 new seats are being installed. The tour group was "treated to a brief glimpse of highlight film footage on the 48-by-108-foot scoreboard screen on the opposite end of the field." The tour also "showed work progress on the north endzone rooftop viewing area, which not only will add to the viewing experience for up to 500 premium ticketholders at a time but also will be available to rent for weddings, corporate gatherings and other events" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 6/28).
GRAB SOME BUDS: In Ontario, Chip Martin reports John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario will "become Budweiser Gardens in October" after the brewer signed a 10-year, C$6.4M naming-rights deal. London Deputy City Treasurer Mike Turner said that the new deal "represents a 28% increase" from the 10-year, C$5M deal about to expire with Labatt. Labatt Corporate Affairs Dir Jeff Ryan said that the company "expects to keep the name Labatt noticeable at the renamed centre" (LFPRESS.com, 6/27).
DREAM ON: Meadowlands Sports Complex CEO Wayne Hasenbalg said that he "does not expect the recent lawsuit filed by the Giants and Jets to torpedo the American Dream entertainment and retail project." Hasenbalg: "I'm still convinced this project will happen. Nobody likes litigation, particularly on a project of this magnitude. But it's a complicated deal. (The teams) have certain legal rights, and they are asserting them.” The Giants and Jets indicated that opening American Dream's entertainment components on Sundays "would create 'a transportation nightmare.'" But American Dream officials say any traffic impact would be "minimal" (Bergen RECORD, 6/27).
