Icing the cake at Pullman Yard

What else can this be but a hockey barn?!

A reader writes regarding our idea to convert one of the Pullman Yard buildings into a first-rate hockey and figure skating complex (link here):

What a great idea! Combined with the AYSA soccer complex off of Arizona, you'd have a mecca for youth sports in town. I hope whoever builds on that space is creative and insightful, using the large space to generate economic impact, green space, residential and something unique we Kirkwoodians can hang our hats on. If they did it nice enough, I'm sure they could get the Thrashers to practice there because the rink where they practice now is not that impressive.

The bid process is slated to begin this month. Please forward this link to anyone you know who is involved on either the political or development fronts. Let's forecheck this thing and make it happen. It could be really huge!

Blueland blues

Part of the deal that broke the NHL deadlock and lockout three years ago was a hard salary cap -- yes, the very same one that allowed teams like the Atlanta Thrashers and Carolina Hurricanes to compete with even Original Six clubs like Toronto and Boston, even with a quarter of the gate receipts.

But now hockey's post-lockout success -- revenues are up 16 percent from last year, to $2.52 billion -- the salary cap is rising again. The top clubs are now spending $15 million more a year than the Thrashers have ever spent, and it's starting to show. This season, Southeast Division teams are losing consistently to stalwarts from the North, the West and Canada. Detroit hasn't lost to a Southeast Division challenger all year.

What's more, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Stanley Cup winners Tampa Bay Lightning were briefly up for sale this year (does Florida really need two NHL teams?), and the Nashville Predators are in jeopardy of a move. Meanwhile, markets like Las Vegas and Winnipeg are being talked about as potential destinations for what would most likely be a Southern team.

Will the Thrashers get moved on this icy chessboard? Probably not. Atlanta is too big of a sports town, boomtown and TV market for the NHL to pull up stakes. But with several of the top players, including Marian Hossa, ready to enter the free agent market next year, it's going to be tougher than ever to bring the best players here.

And that may leave Blueland feeling blue indeed.

Hockey in the 'Wood?

I'm hoping site traffic will pick up this week and just want to draw attention to the post that inspired this blog-paper (and which got our first comment!) Click here for my thoughts on what to do with the old Pullman buildings. (It even goes with the history of the neighborhood, seeing as the next building east of the yard used to be an ice house!)

And despite above evidence to the contrary, there are very, very few fights at beer league hockey games, and almost none at figure skating events.

K-wood: The next Hockey Town?

Okay, hear me out.

Whoever redevelops the old Pullman Yard buildings needs a marquee tenant to be housed in the historically protected brick caverns, right?

Ever since I first saw those grand old buildings I've had only one thought: hockey rink!

Stay with me. The fact is, Atlanta is woefully short on hockey rinks, and the three active ones are all far from intown -- Duluth, Alpharetta and Kennesaw, respectively. (Tiny Raleigh has five busy rinks all within 20 minutes of its downtown.)

With all the Yankee expats moving intown -- and even for those coming in from the burbs -- a highquality rink featuring adult and kid's leagues, figureskating, camps, and public skating would be a huge draw.

Combined with a shopping center, a bar and some restaurants, it would be a top-shelf shot for the entire East Atlanta area.

I'll be writing more about Pullman Yards -- both the possibilities and realities -- so stay tuned!