In Philadelphia, John George notes Comcast Spectacor is "using a break in the action at the Wells Fargo Center to enhance a majority of the private suites" at a cost between $15-18M. Wells Fargo Complex President John Page said that the renovation is "taking place as the venue is getting ready to celebrate its 20th anniversary." The company has been "working on what it is describing as the first phase," which "focuses on 82 luxury, midlevel suites." The upgrades will be "completed in time" for the start of the '16-17 Flyers and 76ers seasons. Page said that Comcast Spectacor will "renovate other suites in the arena’s 44 balcony- and club-level suites in the future." Also in the "planning stages are upgrades to concession stands, arena signage and the facility’s infrastructure" (PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/10 issue).
WHAT'S NEXT? In Calgary, Annalise Klingbeil notes the company that owns the Flames and CFL Stampeders has acknowledged that it is "open to considering an alternative for its proposed hybrid arena-stadium-field house complex known as CalgaryNEXT." Calgary Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Ken King in a letter to season-ticket holders wrote the group has "accepted an offer from the City to examine a Plan B." The substitute plan would "see an arena and event centre located on the Stampede Grounds, a separate field house in the northwest near the University of Calgary and some renovation to McMahon Stadium" (CALGARY SUN, 6/14).
OPEN TO IT: In Detroit, Bill Shea noted the members at Oakland Hills Country Club will "vote later this month on a proposed restoration of the legendary South Course that would close it for 14 months" beginning in March '18. The club's management is "seeking to ensure the South Course is playable by members while also maintaining its status as one of the tougher sites for major tournaments." Oakland Hills has "hosted six U.S. Opens (the second most in the tournament's history)," and last October the club informed the USGA that it is "again formally interested in hosting a U.S. Open" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 6/12).
