The first round of renovations to historic Madison Square Garden is completed, with fans enjoying new seating, expanded concourses and a new ice-level executive club. The renovations forced the New York Rangers on the road for the first three weeks of the season; it was only this week that the team hosted their home opener, […]
Archive | Features
Could casino money fund Edmonton arena?
{jathumbnail off} There’s a $100-million funding gap in the current Edmonton Oilers (NHL) arena plan, and city officials say there’s a painless way to fill it: divert gambling revenues to the project. Earlier this week the Edmonton City Council passed a funding program for a $450-million downtown arena calling for $100 million from the team, […]
Edmonton approves Oilers arena deal
By a surprisingly wide 10-3 margin, the Edmonton City Council voted to move forward on a plan for a new $450-million Edmonton Oilers (NHL) arena, directing city staff to work out an agreement with the team. The funding plan was slightly tweaked before it was approved this afternoon. The base agreement remained the same. The […]
Edmonton poised to approve Oilers arena deal
The Edmonton City Council could pass a proposed Edmonton Oilers (NHL) downtown arena deal this morning after hearing final testimony on the issue yesterday. The testimony split along familiar lines: local businesses saying investment in the downtown core would be beneficial to all, with some citizens opposed to any public spending on a sporting facility. […]
Orlando approves ECHL lease for Amway Center
When we visited Amway Center, we expressed hope that a hockey tenant would be forthcoming someday in the impressive facility. Our wish came true: Orlando has approved a three-year lease for an ECHL team, beginning in 2012-2013. The Orlando City Council approved the Amway Center lease today. The team will be owned by Orlando Pro […]
Columbus arena deal on city agenda
A plan to finally settle the finances and ownership of Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), is finally ready for public consumption and will be unveiled at tonight’s City Council meeting. Ownership of the arena would go from Nationwide to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, which is paying $42.5 million in […]
Jets tix a hot seller in Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Jets (NHL) are a hot ticket: the team is down to 600 or so single tickets per game and is holding a random drawing monthly to reward fans. Yesterday the team held a random drawing of fans signing up on the team’s Web site to distribute 600 games at each of the Jets’ […]
Hockey returning to Cow Palace in 2012
Professional hockey is returning to the Cow Palace in 2012-2013, as the expansion San Francisco Bulls have been approved by the ECHL Board of Governors. The San Francisco ownership is lead by Pat Curcio and his wife Elouise, who have relocated to San Francisco from Salt Lake City. Curcio will serve as president, general manager […]
Edmonton on verge of arena deal?
After years and years of talk and study, the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) are pushing the city to finally get an arena deal done by Halloween. The $450-million arena deal is amazingly similar to what was originally pitched years ago: the Oilers will put up $100 million toward arena construction and put money into downtown redevelopment. […]
Ratner: We’d love to have the Isles in Brooklyn
Despite many concerns about the ability of Barclays Center to financially support NHL hockey, developer Bruce Ratner would love to see the New York Islanders move to Brooklyn after their Nassau Coliseum lease expires. The issue is one of capacity: the new home of the NBA’s soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets can only hold 14,500 — at […]
Paying for new arenas: the economic realities
Who should pay for new arenas in Canada has been a topic of much debate in Edmonton and Quebec City, where the desires of local hockey enthusiasts have clashed with fiscal conservatives. But the economic reality is that most cities need to subsidize construction to attract the NHL, according to a study. The study, from […]
New for 2011: BMO Harris Bank Center
The former Rockford (Ill.) MetroCentre has a new name: BMO Harris Bank Center, as naming rights were sold by Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority to the international banker. The cost: $1.3 million over five years. The arena is home to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL); the team is owned by the venue authority. —- Sign […]
