In Winnipeg, Geoff Kirbyson cites sources close to Thrashers Owner True North Sports & Entertainment as saying that the MTS Centre, "which opened in the fall of 2004, is currently undergoing an approximately" C$1M renovation, including a C$500,000 "upgrade to the ice plant." Improvements are also "planned for both the home and visiting teams' dressing rooms, as well as the installation of acrylic glass surrounding the ice surface." Additional "activity at the MTS Centre includes the expansion of the number of corporate suites to 57 and the virtual doubling of the number of camera positions to 37" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 6/22).
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Construction of OSU's football practice facility
is expected to take about 18 months |
COWBOYING UP: Oklahoma State Univ. AD Mike Holder yesterday announced that construction of the Sherman E. Smith Training Center, the school's indoor football practice facility, "will begin on Aug. 1." In Oklahoma City, Brandon Chatmon reports the approximately $16M venue "could take 18 months to complete, with a goal of completion in late 2012 or early 2013." It will be located "just north of Boone Pickens Stadium." OSU "does not currently have an indoor practice facility." Chatmon writes the construction of the building will give OSU football facilities that are "comparable with any football program in the nation" (DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 6/22).
CITY CONQUERS THE LIONS: In Toronto, Doolittle & Rider reported Toronto Mayor Doug Ford and his Exec Committee have "approved a city takeover of the debt-ridden Lakeshore Lions Arena, but they want the name and logo" of arena operator the Lakeshore Lions Club "stripped from the building." Toronto City Council member David Shiner said, "There has to be a price for making a mistake." The issue "will now go to council, where the takeover is expected to be approved." The city would then "assume the lease and keep operations running over the short term," and "once things have stabilized, the city would find an outside operator to take over." Doolittle & Rider noted the arena is the "practice rink" for the Maple Leafs and AHL Toronto Marlies (TORONTO STAR, 6/21).
TAKING TO THE ROAD: Castrol Raceway President & co-Owner Rob Reeves yesterday announced the "beginning of the long-proposed road course" at the track, and said that it is "purely a private enterprise." Reeves noted the construction is a C$3M venture that will include "no public money." The track is "looking at autumn as the target for the first half of the winding course." Reeves said the plan is for "half of it to be completed by September, and the other half the following year" (EDMONTON SUN, 6/22).
