My apologies if something about this was put on the list earlier.  A few
days ago the local newspaper carried an article reporting that NMU and
the city of Marquette are engaged in a serious  (as in, "we're spending
over $20,000 for the architectural review") planning effort involving
Lakeview Arena.  Since Lakeview is (no doubt correctly) rated as the
worst rink in the WCHA by both our own coach and one of the hockey-l
posters, this is good news.  The NMU/Marquette effort is looking at a
comprehensive renovation of Lakeview, in fact I'd call it a complete
replacement.  The city manager was quoted as saying the building's roof
would be removed and most of the interior structure would go, leaving
only some of the current block and cement floor.  The idea is to have an
Olympic-sized ice sheet and much improved seating, concessions, and
(home) locker facilities.  Funny how the visiting team locker room
doesn't seem a priority!  ;-)
 
The story said the officials involved agree that the cost of the project
would be such that one of the three ice sheets now in Marquette would
probably have to be abandoned.  (I guess that's because the cost of the
payments on the bonds which presumably would be floated would make
impossible keeping up the maintenance on one of the other ice sheets.
It was said that the sheet in NMU's PEIF (physical education
instructional facility) building would be the one eliminated.  (There
are two sheets in Lakeview itself; the smaller one has very limited
seating and is used for youth hockey, ice skating practice, etc.)  I
suppose going down to two ice sheets in the town will cause a lot of
consternation among the local ice skating enthusiasts (there is an
active figure skating association here), and maybe among the youth and
junior hockey leagues.  Currently, NMU practices as well as plays at
Lakeview, which leaves the PEIF always available for others, as well as
one or the other of the two Lakeview sheets.
 
This project, which is far from definite at this point, wouldn't result
in a new building until 1997 or so, as I recall the story.  Also, Rick
Comley was quoted as saying it would be so extensive that for one year
NMU would have to play on the PEIF ice sheet, "and cram in 2,000" fans.
That raises some really interesting questions; I'm certain season ticket
sales currently total more than 3,000.  I can imagine the outcry as
a 1,000 season ticket holders find they don't get to watch for a season.
But, the improvement would certainly be a welcome change once the
facility is finished.
 
Well, almost time to go see the nation's top-ranked team, Colorado
College,tangle with the Wildcats.  I see the CHODR predicts the Tigers
will beat the 'Cats 6-2.  Here's hoping we play above our current stats
level.
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 *  Steve Christopher, NMU    [log in to unmask]    GO 'CATS!!!         *
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