The Villanova BOT yesterday announced plans for a $60M "makeover for the Pavilion, the arena for the school's basketball teams." In Philadelphia, Mari Schaefer noted the renovation of the 31-year-old building will be "funded entirely by donors" and begin in June '17. When it "reopens, the facility will be known as the Finneran Pavilion." Men's basketball home games will "likely be played" at Wells Fargo Center during the renovation, while women’s home contests will be "held on campus in the Jake Nevin Field House" (PHILLY.com, 2/14).
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME: In Minneapolis, Rochelle Olson reports the Minnesota House Government Operations Committee yesterday "voted overwhelmingly" to overhaul the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which operates U.S. Bank Stadium. The bill seeks to exercise "more control" over the MSFA in the "aftermath of reports that its commissioners and staff were using two taxpayer-owned luxury suites to entertain family and friends after the stadium opened" last August. The bill would "increase from five to seven the number of people on the board and disburse the appointments more widely." It also would "eliminate the position of full-time chair, making it a mostly volunteer job." Michele Kelm-Helgen currently serves as MSFA Chair (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/15).
BUILDING MOMENTUM: Univ. of Miami AD Blake James said that the school has raised $31M for its indoor football practice facility, and plans "continue to be refined." James: "I'm very pleased with the progress." In West Palm Beach, Matt Porter noted James "would be happier" if donations reached $34M, which is the amount that will "put shovels in the ground." James said, "We're getting toward the end of having that building completely funded. I'm confident we'll get there. We're still needing some gifts, need everyone that bleeds orange and green and white to step up and make it a reality" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 2/14).
