Facility Notes

In Pittsburgh, Dave Molinari notes the quality of the ice at Consol Energy Center during NHL games "continues to be an issue with players, as it has been since the arena opened" in '10.  Nearly every player interviewed agreed that the ice-maintenance staff and front office are "receptive when informed of complaints or problems with the playing surface."  Management has been "responding to players' concerns about the ice" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/10). 

SHOP CLASS: In N.Y., Irving DeJohn reports the N.Y. City Council yesterday “overwhelmingly approved” Sterling Equities and Related Cos. ’s plan to build a "megamall" in Citi Field’s parking lot.  The mall is the “controversial first phase” of a larger $3B redevelopment of Willets Point.  Sterling “scored the victory after a morning of feverish closed-door negotiations.”  The development as approved will “include more affordable housing than originally proposed” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/10). 

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: UNLV President Neal Smatresk yesterday said that the school plans a campaign to raise more than $500M to "help finance Southern Nevada’s first medical school, a major on-campus football stadium/entertainment center and other major campus improvements."  He added that the university "wants to quietly raise" 50% of the money from donors before "launching a high-profile public campaign" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/10). 

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: The Nashville TENNESSEAN reports the Predators and Metro Nashville yesterday broke ground on the team's new $14M practice facility in Antioch, Tenn. Metro will build the project and "own the land and building, which will be leased to the Predators for an annual rent payment that will go toward servicing the debt on the facility."  The center is "expected to open" in mid-August '14 (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/10).