In San Antonio, W. Scott Bailey notes the city is "expected to reap" $42M in revenue from the next Alamodome concessions contract "that includes SMG Food and Beverage LLC's SAVOR division and San Antonio-based Black Tie Affairs Catering." The city has "calculated its cut from the sale of beer, soda and snacks at the 65,000-seat stadium will be approximately" $2.8M annually over the life of the contract, which runs through Feb. 28, 2031. The new brands "will give the Alamodome more local flavor and include some popular eateries." San Antonio will host the '18 Final Four (SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/5 issue).
PHOTOSYNTHESIS: VICE SPORTS' John Lott reported the Blue Jays "are paying" the Univ. of Guelph in Ontario $600,000 to "figure out whether they can grow and maintain natural grass" at Rogers Centre. Guelph's experts will "deliver their first major status report in April," but they "already have identified their first big challenge." Guelph's experts say that they "can keep grass alive under the dome for roughly 10 weeks," but after that, "it needs sunlight." Blue Jays VP/Building Services Kelly Keyes said the team is starting to experiment with "special lighting and heating" to see if they can extend its life to reach the roof-open stage. Meanwhile, Lott noted the entire system that opens and closes the ballpark's roof "is being replaced." One benefit "is that the roof may open earlier than in the past, letting in the light" (SPORTS.VICE.com, 2/10).
IN DA CLUB: In Baltimore, Jonathan Munshaw noted the Maryland Jockey Club on Monday "announced that a new LED high-definition board has been installed on the infield" of Pimlico Race Course, which hosts the Preakness Stakes. The screen "is 21-feet high and 32-feet wide." Pimlico has also "installed a new water pump to prevent another water main break." Last year, a "loss of water pressure forced the racetrack to close bathrooms across the facilities on Preakness day" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/8).
