Part of the motivation for the new practice facility was to attract marquee free agents LIGHTNING
The Lightning unveiled their $7.5M upgrade to their practice facility at the Ice Sports Forum yesterday, and the 19,000-square-foot addition is "bigger than their dressing room space at Amalie Arena," according to Joe Smith of THE ATHLETIC. The venue features a "24-seat video theater (90-inc screen), a full kitchen and hydrotherapy room." The summer free agency period was "part of the motivation, creating an environment that would keep -- and procure -- players." Lightning CEO Steve Griggs: "When we talk as an organization about being world class and doing everything world class, that also has to include the player environment. This (facility) puts us on par, if not ahead, of other teams, and free agents look at that. And that's important to them" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/27). In Tampa, Greg Auman noted Lightning Chair Jeff Vinik funded the upgrade himself. The team will "still use the same ice at the facility," but the new space includes "new locker rooms, weight rooms, training room and an expanded player lounge." The previous facility had "covered about 5,500 square feet, and the project grew from its original commitment" of $6M last summer (TAMPABAY.com, 6/26).
