Venue News: Cleveland Indians Continue Progressive Field Renovations; Los Angeles Football Stadium Bid Gains Steams

The Cleveland Indians are hopeful that when the time comes for the April 10 home opener against the Tigers, fans will see the finished product of ongoing renovations at Progressive Field. According to the team’s website, the Gate C entrance beyond center field will be complete, the new bullpens will be constructed, and the social spaces for fans of all ages will be up and running. One of the main concerns on the minds of many fans is the source of the funds for the renovations. Shapiro reiterated that although the team has not disclosed the estimated cost (the final total remains unknown, according to the team’s president), the privately funded project in no way influences the level of money poured into the payroll for the team on the field…

…The bid to put a professional football stadium in Southern California gained speed last week as organizers filed more than twice as many signatures as they needed to put the project to a vote, writes the Los Angeles Times. A group financed by Hollywood Park Land Co., which wants to build an 80,000-seat NFL-caliber stadium at the old racetrack on Century Boulevard, said they have submitted more than 20,000 signatures supporting zoning changes for the plan. If Los Angeles County election officials verify 9,000 signatures, the measure could go up for a vote in Inglewood as soon as this summer…

…AC Milan has unveiled plans to build a new 48,000-seater stadium, which they hope to move into before the start of the 2018-19 season, writes GOAL. The Italian team announced on their official website that they have made a bid for the land in the urban area of Portello in the city and revealed their designs have taken inspiration from several English stadiums. The stadium will include a hotel, sports college, restaurants and children’s rides, with the club hoping it will be one of the most innovative arenas in world football…

…The New Minnesota Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, will illuminate the field with high performance LED stadium lights from Ephesus Lighting, Inc. According to a company press release, the facility becomes the first new stadium to announce construction with LED lighting. The New Minnesota Stadium, which will be owned and operated by the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) and have the capacity to seat up to 72,000 fans, will be one of the most versatile facilities of its size. Each Ephesus LED light provides a significant increase in illumination compared to the traditional metal halide lights that have been common at stadiums for more than 30 years. LED lighting also provides natural and more uniform light which improves the overall clarity of the playing surface, to create a better stage for players and fans, both in the stadium and those watching on high-definition television…

…Another approach to getting a new stadium built in San Diego has just been put in motion. It’s an advisory group introduced Friday by Mayor Kevin Faulconer to come up with a game plan by this fall for crafting into a 2016 citywide ballot measure, writes NBC San Diego. The Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group is made up of civic leaders and financial experts. The plan will include the optimal location and the best way to pay for the stadium. Smart money says the nine members – specifically not branded a “task force,” as previous such efforts went nowhere — will do everything possible to avoid a tax-based financial scheme that’ll require two-thirds voter approval under state law…

…Joe Louis Arena now has free high-speed public Wi-Fi – good news for fans in the last two years it remains the home of the Detroit Red Wings, writes Crain’s Detroit Business. Set to be replaced by a $535 million state-of-the-art facility in time for the 2017-18 season, Joe Louis Arena in the meantime will make available a new wireless Internet capability beginning with Saturday’s home game against the New York Islanders. The work to install 290 Wi-Fi nodes and necessary wiring to a central server in the 20,000-seat arena took about three weeks, SignalShare said…

…Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a plan Tuesday that calls for the state to help build a new basketball arena for the Milwaukee Bucks with $220 million in bonds that would be funded by projected growth in income taxes from NBA players, writes the Associated Press. The Republican governor said his “Pay Their Way” proposal would protect state taxpayers and keep the team in Milwaukee. A new arena in downtown Milwaukee could cost about $450 million to $500 million. New owners bought the team last April and have promised to contribute $150 million toward the new arena.