In Edmonton, Gordon Kent reports a Northlands committee recommends Rexall Place "be torn down unless a deal can be reached with the Katz Group to make it Edmonton’s secondary arena." Former Northlands President Richard Andersen "insisted two years ago that Rexall would go head-to-head with Rogers Place for concerts once the new venue opens" in '16. But a report released yesterday "calls on the non-profit society to extend an olive branch, saying the current 'conflict-oriented and competitive' approach has stalled progress." It suggests "reducing the size of Rexall and making it Edmonton’s secondary venue, working with the Oilers Entertainment Group to attract big events that need two locations" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 4/16).
EYE IN THE SKY: The NATIONAL POST's John Lott cites a source as saying that MLB is “'keeping an eye' on the way the new turf" at Rogers Centre "affects play." But the source "stressed that MLB is not concerned at the moment and is monitoring the situation as it would any other design change that might impact play at any stadium." Players, coaches and fans this week have seen that the new turf "slows down batted balls after the first bounce, making it easier for infielders to collect grounders and forcing outfielders to charge base hits for fear that a speedy runner might turn a routine single into a double" (NATIONAL POST, 4/16).
WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT: In Jacksonville, Webner & Bauerlein report three local companies with "totally different visions for developing the Shipyards beat" yesterday's deadline to submit their proposals for the property. Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan is competing with bids from Jacksonville-based Shitaki Enterprises, which "says it needs more time to fully prepare its proposal for a 'super luxury yacht boatyard,' and In Him Inc., which envisions giving the property a Christian theme." Khan’s plan would "turn the Shipyards into a mix of housing, shops and offices along with a park, a hotel, a marina and a naval ship museum in the retired guided missile destroyer USS Charles F. Adams" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/16).
