From today's Boston Globe:
 
"The Boston University-owned Commonwealth Armory will undergo a major
 facelift that will result in new sports facilities for the Terriers,
 probably including a hockey rink that will seat 6,000-8,000.
 
 The multimillion-dollar complex could be a reality before the year
 2000.
 
 BU athletic director Gary Strickler said, "We're just having preliminary
 discussions. The university is interested in a facility that's for
 recreation as well as varsity sports. I think it's five years away.
 The important thing is that the university is sincerely interested
 in helping the varsity programs and the recreation programs. We
 have been talking to architects about the needs. But I don't see
 anything happening right away."
 
 But BU hockey coach Jack Parker said, "The university will build a
 new facility for hockey or basketball as part of a major complex. A
 question is if the Case Center will go through a rehab for basketball
 or stay for hockey."
 
 The consensus is that hockey would get the nod over basketball in a new
 facility.
 
 Walter Brown Arena, BU's hockey home since the 1971-72 season, is in
 the Case Center and has a capacity of 3,684 for hockey. Brown Arena
 can hold well over 4,000 for basketball, but lately basketball games
 have been played in a gym a floor above the arena because they haven't
 been drawing well.
 
 "They're talking about seating 6,000-8,000 in the new facility," said
 Parker. "It's all part of a master plan for a major project which will
 include dormitories and elderly housing for the city of Boston, among
 other things. All kinds of things are planned. The track wil stay there
 and tennis and squash courts will be built. I understand the overall
 time range is 4-7 years. The rink will be the last thing done."
 
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Talk of a new facility for sports has been going around for years here,
but this is the first time I've heard official talk about it.  It's still
in the planning stages, but it sounds like it's going to be done.
 
Rich
Boston Univ.