In Rochester, Jeff DiVeronica notes the Sabres "decided against playing one of their preseason games in Rochester." Sabres President Russ Brandon said Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is not "up to the standards to play an NHL game." DiVeronica: "I've heard for a few years that the Pegulas want to buy the arena so they can control Amerks dates and everything else rather than rely on the company that runs it, SMG." If the Pegulas "want a seat at the table, then buy the arena or get your check book and pay for some of the upgrades." The 61-year-old arena "needs" a $16M facelift (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 7/1).
RUB SOME DIRT IN IT: Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said that "a more permanent dirt track would not 'do anything at all' to the fan experience in the Snake Pit party area. In Indianapolis, Jordan Wilson notes the only noticeable difference "would be a slight decrease in infield parking space, in which case IMS would allow fans to park on the dirt track during major oval-track events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/1).
TURF'S UP, DUDE: In Honolulu, Ferd Lewis noted Aloha Stadium's five-year-old artificial turf "is being torn out and upgraded." Aloha Stadium Manager Scott Chan said that the $1.2M overhaul of the 110,000-square-foot surface "began May 23 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 5." Officials said that they "felt it was time for an upgrade and hoped to use the new field to help entice the NFL to return" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 6/29).
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SIZE: In Charlotte, Steve Harrison notes Mecklenburg County will "unveil plans next week" to rebuild Memorial Stadium into a soccer venue for USL club Charlotte Independence -- a project that will "involve widening the field and spending" up to $24.8M. The plan suggested the county, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and the Independence "could contribute." The venue currently "has about 20,000 seats." The county's plan "calls for a smaller stadium, with 10,870 seats." There would be "about 4,900 general admission seats, 1,100 club seats and 3,600 grass berm seats." If money is available, construction "could begin" in the middle of '18 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/1).
