In Ft. Worth, Susan Schrock notes the '15 AT&T American Cup, a "one-day competition featuring elite gymnasts from around the world, will be held" at AT&T Stadium. USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny said that holding the "high-profile international invitational" at the "iconic stadium ... will help bring even more international attention to the male and female gymnasts preparing" for the '16 Rio Games (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/27).
COUGAR TOWN: In Houston, Joseph Duarte notes the Univ. of Houston's Board of Regents yesterday approved a $20M budget to "build a basketball practice facility for the men's and women's programs." The school said that funding for the facility, to be "built adjacent to Hofheinz Pavilion, came from private funding," including $5M in the last three weeks. Construction "is expected to begin in May and be completed in 12 to 18 months" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/27).
NEW NEIGHBOR: In San Diego, Roger Showley notes Civic San Diego yesterday approved a plan in which Petco Park "would gain" a 37-story, $250M neighbor in a high-rise apartment tower as part of the Ballpark Village project. The building would be on a 3.5-acre parking lot east of the ballpark. JMI Realty Senior VP Jim Chatfield said that construction "could start by end of the year and open about two years later; he estimated the cost" at around $250M. JMI is former Padres Owner John Moores' development company (SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE, 2/27).
POLICING ISSUE: In Louisville, Tom Loftus reports the Kentucky State Police has been "pressing the Kentucky Speedway for months to pay nearly $300,000 for security provided by troopers during four major races" from '12-13. A Dec. 27 letter to the track "put the overdue tab at $299,125.86 and requested payment in full by Jan. 15." KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer said that security and traffic control "provided outside the gate are responsibilities and costs always covered by the state." Brewer said that the SMI-owned track "had made timely payments under such agreements" through '11 (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 2/27).
