 |
Galleria to serve up pro tennisRoseville shopping center finds a new racket with plans to move TeamTennis stadium from Sunrise in Citrus HeightsBy Jennifer K. Morita - Bee Staff Writer
|
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, September 14, 2006
Roseville's popular Galleria mall will be serving more than fast food and trendy fashion next summer.
Tennis, anyone?
Beginning in July, the Sacramento Capitals professional tennis team will move its matches from Sunrise Mall to the Galleria at Roseville, officials from World TeamTennis and mall owner Westfield Corp. announced Tuesday.
"This is the epicenter of tremendous growth in the Central Valley, and we are excited to be here," Capitals co-owner Ben Combs said.
The press conference -- held in a parking lot where a temporary tennis stadium will go up next summer -- also marked the launching of Westfield's $200 million plan to expand its Roseville mall.
The Sacramento Capitals spent the past five seasons playing at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights.
Combs said after the press conference that he was looking for new, long-term home for the Capitals.
"I remember driving out here and saying to myself, 'This would be a nice place to play tennis,' " Combs told the crowd. "I met with some blank stares when I talked about playing tennis in the parking lot of a mall."
Combs said that every season, the parking lot in the southeast corner of the shopping center near Nordstrom will be transformed into a temporary tennis stadium.
During its first season, Allstate Stadium will have up to 5,000 seats with new bleachers and box seats, as well as lighting and air conditioning in the sponsor deck.
"We're going to pack this place," Capitals coach Wayne Bryan said.
The layout of the stadium also will provide additional shade on vendors, sponsor booths and food court area.
Eventually, officials hope the stadium will accommodate 10,000 people, who will be able to watch professional players such as Pete Sampras and Anna Kournikova.
"We hope the Capitals will be here in Roseville for many years to come," Westfield Senior Vice President of Development Dick Dreher said.
Mayor Gina Garbolino said she is delighted that Roseville will be the Capitals' new home.
"Our city, our people and our tennis fans will welcome you with open arms," Garbolino said.
She added that having a professional tennis team in Roseville will boost tourism and business in the area.
"There's also the cool factor," Garbolino said. "Pete Sampras, Maria Sharapova, Anna Kournikova? That's cool."
Roseville city officials and Placer Valley Tourism have targeted sporting events as a way to bring visitors, and their money, to the region. Over the years, the city has attracted several regional, amateur athletic events, including basketball tournaments, figure skating championships and gymnastics competitions.
"We've been strong with bringing sporting events to town but not at this level," Roseville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy Gerig said after the press conference. "This is a whole new opportunity for Roseville."
Gerig, who put Combs in touch with Westfield's Dreher, said everyone was excited about the possibilities from the beginning.
"It wasn't just about the Capitals, it was about the exposure not only for the Galleria, but for the community to have a professional team calling Roseville 'home,' " she said.
"They're still going to be the Sacramento Capitals, but we know where they're playing."
Meanwhile, construction on the Galleria's expansion is scheduled to begin early next year.
Dreher said the 100 new specialty stores will include retailers never before seen in the Sacramento region.
In addition to nearly 1,800 new parking spaces, driveways in and out of the mall will be redesigned for easier access.
Thanks,
Rosie
ROSIE CREWS
VP, Communications
World TeamTennis
PH: 817.684.0366
Cell: 817.691.5424
FAX: 817.684.0365
Email: rcrews@wtt.com
www.WTT.com