In K.C., Mike Hendricks in a front-page piece reports yesterday's switch of the annual American Royal barbecue to the Truman Sports Complex "brings yet another event" to Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs "have been trying to book more concerts and other activities through the team’s Arrowhead Events business unit." The move "also could ease some of the tensions surrounding the reuse of Kemper Arena." No events will be at Kauffman Stadium, "although the parking lots around it will be available" (K.C. STAR, 5/6). Chiefs President Mark Donovan said that the team "asked the NFL for road games" during the weekend of the event (K.C. STAR, 5/6).
HELLO WISCONSIN! Road America will now have four new networked HD LED video display boards. Currently, one videoboard is in place in Turn 5, and the additional videoboards will be permanently placed at Turns 1, 3, between 7 and 8 and 12. In addition to the new videoboards, the four-mile racetrack was resurfaced in several areas (Road America).
FEELIN' BUFF: In Buffalo, Dan Miner reported the Univ. at Buffalo "has changed course on a signature capital improvement to its football facility." The East Club project "will be downsized considerably and moved to the other side of UB Stadium, between the 30-yard-lines, displacing some suites and the press box." About 10 existing suites will remain. Meanwhile, the West Club will consist of an "indoor lounge for anyone in the club area." The East Club was a proposed $10M, while the West Club will cost $700,000-900,000 and "should be complete for the start of football season this fall" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/5).
ICE VICE, BABY: In St. Paul, Chad Graff reports the Xcel Energy Center ice crew "faced a tall task in the early hours" yesterday morning because of an overnight power outage. About 12 hours before puck-drop for Wild-Blackhawks Game 3, the ice sheet "had melted into a slushy mix." Xcel Energy Center "has a reputation around the league for typically having one of the best-kept ice sheets." Blackhawks C Andrew Shaw said of Xcel's ice, "It is still better ice than the [United Center], so guys are excited to play on something like that" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 5/6).
