Venue News & Notes: Going Green in Big D

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping for a hostile environment inside their new stadium but a green reputation outside. The $1.1 billion stadium, set to open next year, is on track to become the first venue accepted into a federal program for environmentally friendly buildings.
…The Dallas Cowboys have applied for the Environmental Protection Administration’s National Environmental Performance Track program for its new stadium. It would be the first sports venue accepted into the program, which requires members to set and meet green standards tailored to their facilities. Third-party compliance audits are required, and members must apply for renewal every three years. The Cowboys’ goals include reducing solid waste by 25 percent, energy use by 20 percent, and water consumption by 1 million gallons annually…
…Bruce Ratner’s $4 billion dream for a new
Brooklyn will have to wait, at least until next year. The New Jersey Nets owner and developer has been plagued by a string of problems that have delayed his plans for a new NBA arena, office towers, and thousands of apartments in the borough…
…Wembley is poised to play a much bigger role in the organization of the 2012 Olympics than originally planned. London 2012 officials have been looking for some time at scrapping their original plans to build a temporary arena to stage badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Now officials are seriously looking at taking badminton back to the Wembley Arena, a spiritual home for the sport…
…Next time the City Council meets in Walnut, CA, there will be a sheriff’s deputy standing watch. A 75,000-seat NFL stadium proposed by developer Ed Roski Jr. for nearby Industry has sparked divisions among residents in the region, and tensions have been apparent. Those living in Walnut are concerned about traffic that would come from the stadium, which is slated to be built adjacent to the city…
…There is no doubt the Wilf brothers will never give up on their hopes for a new Vikings football stadium on the current site of the Metrodome. And certainly the Metrodome lot is the best location, with its access to light rail and proximity to downtown Minneapolis. But failing to accomplish that, former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson can’t see any reason the new University of Minnesota Stadium couldn’t be expanded for sharing with the Vikings. Pilings put into the Gophers new football facility allow it to be expanded to 80,000 seats…
…This week, for the first time, the Paramount, CA, High School Pirates practiced on a new Field Turf surface, part of a $13-million stadium facelift that will be fully unveiled Friday when the school plays host to Downey in a San Gabriel Valley League opener…
…The Frisco, TX, City Council and Frisco ISD school board donned hard hats for a joint tour of what some officials described as a “war zone” this week. The group toured the Deja Blue Arena, which is in the midst of a $39 million project that will increase the number of seats from about 3,500 to more than 6,000. The project is expected to be completed in May…
…The
University of Washington’s Board of Regents gave the OK this week for the school to spend $3 million to begin predevelopment of the renovation of Husky Stadium with potential developer Hines Interests Limited Partnership.