ducks
07-30-2003, 12:08 PM
City begins arena construction with 'groundblasting'
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Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ With exploding dirt and a rain of confetti, city leaders and NBA owner Bob Johnson ceremoniously opened construction Tuesday on the city's new $260 million downtown arena.
The facility will be home to Johnson's expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, and is scheduled to open in October 2005.
``All of you are standing in the seats that all of you are going to purchase,'' Johnson told a crowd of over 2,000 gathered on the arena construction site.''
Preparation of the arena site has already begun. Tuesday's event was ceremonial, as the children's character Bob the Builder joined City Council member Lynn Wheeler in pushing a detonator that led to a bang and a small explosion of dirt. Confetti and streamers filled the air and a marching bad struck up a tune.
The city is building the 18,500-seat arena and the team is to operate it, including covering operating losses.
Johnson said he plans to keep turnstiles spinning with home games by the Bobcats and WNBA Charlotte Sting, college basketball games, concerts and family events.
``Even tractor pulls,'' Johnson said. ``There is no one out there who will not find an exciting event in that arena when it opens.''
The Bobcats are to begin play in fall 2004 at the suburban Charlotte Coliseum, where the Hornets played for 14 seasons. The Hornets moved to New Orleans last year.
scoop (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/gen/wire?messageId=18419727)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ With exploding dirt and a rain of confetti, city leaders and NBA owner Bob Johnson ceremoniously opened construction Tuesday on the city's new $260 million downtown arena.
The facility will be home to Johnson's expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats, and is scheduled to open in October 2005.
``All of you are standing in the seats that all of you are going to purchase,'' Johnson told a crowd of over 2,000 gathered on the arena construction site.''
Preparation of the arena site has already begun. Tuesday's event was ceremonial, as the children's character Bob the Builder joined City Council member Lynn Wheeler in pushing a detonator that led to a bang and a small explosion of dirt. Confetti and streamers filled the air and a marching bad struck up a tune.
The city is building the 18,500-seat arena and the team is to operate it, including covering operating losses.
Johnson said he plans to keep turnstiles spinning with home games by the Bobcats and WNBA Charlotte Sting, college basketball games, concerts and family events.
``Even tractor pulls,'' Johnson said. ``There is no one out there who will not find an exciting event in that arena when it opens.''
The Bobcats are to begin play in fall 2004 at the suburban Charlotte Coliseum, where the Hornets played for 14 seasons. The Hornets moved to New Orleans last year.
scoop (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/gen/wire?messageId=18419727)