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May 7, 2007
SAVING THE ARENA
There were several interesting developments over the weekend concerning the "crisis" at Tsongas Arena.
Through City Manager Bernie Lynch, we've found out that taxpayers might be able to avoid a $1.6 million expense to fix the ice-making equipment. Whew!, councilors are breathing a sigh of relief over this higher-than-expected expense.
Give credit to Lynch, former City Manager Brian Martin and Craig Gates of the arena's management team for looking at alternative options to the high cost and getting expert consultants to study the ice issue. If it weren't for the high bids for repairing the arena, this expensive and unnecessary project might have taken place.
My question: Where was the Arena Commission on this issue? It looks like they had a four-year-old report in its hands and never vetted it. I hope that's not true, but it sure seems like someone dropped the ball.
Also, what ever happened to the arena ice manager? It used to be Don Lampron, a great guy who now works as a facilities director at UMass Lowell. Evidently, his position was never replaced at Tsongas.
Finally, Chancellor-Select Mary Meehan's proposal to work closer with the city to revive the Tsongas Arena, and make UMass Lowell hockey the premier tenant, makes a lot of sense. It would save the Division I program, raise its visibility and improve the schools' fund-raising opportunities. Moreso, it would free up valuable dates for the arena to attract other entertainment options, like concerts and family events.
Of course, Meehan's plan would eliminate the Lowell Devils, sending the New Jersey-owned club back to their home state. The Devils now use 41 of the 58 hockey dates at the arena. Flagging attendance and support are a major issue. Plus, the Devils' rental lease is so one-sided the city can't make up the difference. For several years now, the arena has been running a $1 million operating deficit.
Meehan believes a new city-UMass Lowell partnership could wipe out the deficit and revive the arena's prospects.
What do you thinK? (For more information, read today's editorial in The Sun:" Partnership can save Tsongas Arena").
Posted by JimC at May 7, 2007 1:22 PM
Comments
Where was the Arena Commission on this issue? That's a great question, Jim. Let's put it to Commission Member and Congressional Candidate Nikki Tsongas. She describes herself as "actively serving on the Lowell
Civic Stadium and Arena Commission" on her campaign website.
Posted by: laleur at May 7, 2007 3:57 PM
Five years ago the dominant debate among
all Lowellians was funding the arena
project. My God, now the council wants
to give this beautiful building to UMASS.
The leaders of Lowell have to make our
arena become a success, we cannot give up.
The tax payers of Lowell will not stand
for anything less.
Bill Deignan
Posted by: Bill Deignan at May 14, 2007 6:41 PM
I meant to say 10 years ago, man does time
fly. The city of Lowell can make the arena
turn a profit along with SMG and become a
a positve venue for our great city.
I suggest leaders sit down and draw up a
plan of action, and make it work.
Paul Tsongas would not stand for anything
less.
Bill Deignan
Posted by: Bill Deignan at May 16, 2007 6:18 PM
Folks should slow up and consider whether the university is any better off fiscally than the city before the rush is on to dump the arena in UML's lap. The university desperately needs new science buildings and equipment and new teaching facilities on its deteriorating South Campus where many of the classrooms are old and crowded and the library can not afford the numbers of new books and other materials it needs to be a really first-class research center. Some sort of partnership yes, but the university in the concert/entertainment business - no.
Posted by: Bob F at May 16, 2007 8:27 PM
