Thursday March 31, 2005

Media Release
For Immediate Release

For Information Contact:
Jennifer F. Brislin
502.574.4137

Patrick H. Neely
502.574.1351

Metro Council President Barbara Shanklin today announced the creation of an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of building a downtown arena as a sports and entertainment venue.

The committee will be chaired by Councilman Dan Johnson, D-21. Councilwoman Ellen Call, R-26, will serve as vice chair.

"The question of whether or not this community should build an arena has been debated for years," Councilman Johnson said. "The time has come to take those discussion to the next level.

"In addition to providing a home for University of Louisville Basketball, a state-of-the-art arena would allow us to attract top quality concerts and family entertainment," he added.

Councilman Johnson said he expects to create a citizen advisory commission to work with the committee, bringing community input and outside expertise.

Committee members will be named soon.

Sponsor(s)

Ellen Call (R)  26
Dan Johnson (D)  21
Barbara Shanklin (D)  2