In Iowa City, Jeff Charis-Carlson reported the Univ. of Iowa is introducing plans for $130M in facility upgrades "related to athletics, including dormitories and a renovation of Kinnick Stadium." The long-term vision "will be shared" during next week’s Iowa Board of Regents meeting. Between $35-45M is "proposed to renovate the home of Iowa football, specifically the north end zone at Kinnick Stadium." The north end zone proposal "would include premium seating options such as suites, modernization of restrooms and updating food and vending options." Iowa’s "last major renovation" at Kinnick Stadium came in '05-06, with upgrades to the south end zone and the press box (Iowa City PRESS-CITIZEN, 7/29).
PARK PARKING: In Ft. Worth, Robert Cadwallander notes the MLB Rangers on Wednesday dedicated 100 parking spaces at Globe Life Park for "ride-sharing motorists, part of the regional governments’ continued attack on unhealthy ozone pollution levels." The program "aims to save gas money for carpoolers while reducing pollutant emissions and ozone." On nights and weekends, those spaces "are reserved for Rangers fans" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/30).
ENTER SANDMAN: In British Columbia, Marty Hastings reports the WHL Kamloops Blazers, Sandman Hotel Group and the City of Kamloops yesterday announced a "10-year naming-rights partnership," rebranding the downtown Interior Savings Centre as the Sandman Centre. The name change "takes effect on Aug. 31." Blazers Owner Tom Gaglardi said that Sandman "will pay more than Interior Savings has paid for naming rights over the last decade -- [C]$120,000 per year for 10 years" (KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK, 7/30).
