In Houston, Joseph Duarte reports the Univ. of Houston System Board of Regents "gave the 'green light' Monday to move forward with the design phase for the renovation and expansion of Hofheinz Pavilion." The next step is for UH to "come up with a design" for the 43-year-old arena, the home for both the men's and women's basketball programs. The school also needs to "present the cost of the two-phase project to the university's finance committee this summer." UH AD Mack Rhoades said that construction "could begin as early as the end of this year, with the target date for completion" in '15 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/14).
BACK STROKE: In Miami, Linda Robertson reports the Int'l Swimming HOF may "move its medals and memorabilia to California if an agreement on its future cannot be worked out with the city of Fort Lauderdale." The organization, which has had its HQs and museum in Ft. Lauderdale since '65, is "leaning toward relocation as the clock ticks down" to the '15 expiration of its lease with the city. The group's leaders are "dissatisfied with the planned redesign of the aging Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex and its pools." Santa Clara "has been recruiting ISHOF with financial incentives" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/14).
HERDING CATS: In Charlotte, Eric Frazier noted a recent poll of the city's voters on "whether the Panthers should get taxpayers' help in renovating Bank of America Stadium" showed that 64% voiced opposition, while 30% were in support. Most poll respondents "voiced little sympathy for helping the Panthers with public money" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/12).
SIDE KICKED: A Brazil court on Friday "temporarily suspended a contract won Thursday by Consortium Maracanã SA" to operate Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/10).
