Due to "concerns" about the "structural stability" at
Alltel Arena, officials canceled last night's Lakers-Wizards
preseason game three and a half hours before game-time,
according to Kim McGuire of the ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
who writes that engineers "became worried that the
building's support beams might not support the weight of
18,000 fans." Arena GM Michael Marion said that the two
teams "will try to reschedule" the game before the NBA
regular season starts on November 2. AR-based Garver and
Garver Senior Project Engineer Willard Reese, on the
decision to cancel the game: "I really do not believe there
was a real chance of collapse or anything that would cause
loss of life. But we wanted to be cautious." While
engineers "found cracks in the concrete beam that supports"
upper deck seats three weeks ago, some wondered why the game
was canceled just hours before tipoff. Reese: "That's a very
good question." Arena construction and management officials
"would not place blame on any specific" contractor, but
"hinted legal action would be taken." Arena Board Chair Bob
Russell, when asked if he could "imagine a worse grand
opening": "Sure I can -- people sitting up there and it
falls in." McGuire reports that the Lakers were required to
pay a $25,000 license fee to the arena, plus a 20%
commission for event sponsors and other fees. The Lakers
also "agreed to pay" a $5,000 deposit. McGuire: "Arena
officials said they don't know what will become of the fees"
(DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, 10/13). In AR, Wally Hall: "Make no
mistake, to cancel was the right decision. ... [But] there
is going to be lost confidence. Especially among the masses
who will sit in the upper deck" (DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, 10/13).
