In Edmonton, Elise Stolte notes city council yesterday "unanimously approved a plan" to take back and "close Northlands Coliseum" at the end of '17. Starting Jan. 1, the coliseum, formerly Rexall Place, "will be permanently closed as a sports and entertainment venue." Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said that "saving the full building is unlikely, but it's possible some pieces of the Coliseum structure, a wall or some seating, could be incorporated into a new amateur sports venue or other facility on the site" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 9/14).
WE WILL REBUILD: Pistons VP/PR Kevin Grigg said that "nothing has been determined" about how the next act for The Palace at Auburn Hills will proceed. However, in Detroit, Kirk Pinho noted there is a "blueprint for redeveloping the Joe Louis Arena site." Financial Guaranty Insurance, who bought the property during Detroit's bankruptcy, is to "replace the soon-to-be-demolished arena with a hotel with at least 300 rooms and standing no more than 30 stories; and a mix of office, retail, recreation and residential space." Joe Louis Arena is expected to be demolished this year "under terms of the settlement agreement, but a specific date has not been set" (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 9/11 issue).
FINAL FAREWELL: In Milwaukee, James Nelson noted the final year of the BMO Harris Bradley Center will "include a fundraising campaign for 16 area organizations" that were supported by late philanthropist Jane Bradley Pettit, who donated the arena to the community. Bradley Center officials on Tuesday "announced plans for the final year of the arena's operation." In addition to home games for the Bucks and Marquette men's basketball team, there is a "busy schedule of concerts and other programs" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/13).
