*** Sports arena in the works for riverfront ***

Wenatchee, Washington -- 10/05/2005
The city of Wenatchee is gearing up to make a major
announcement about its riverfront development plan
that could include a sports arena near Walla Walla
Point Park.

City officials aren’t releasing details until a Thursday afternoon
news conference. But the conference will reportedly be attended
by the president of a Phoenix-based company that manages
5,000-plus-seat event centers that include ice rinks.

It also comes as a local developer has purchased one 4-acre
property along the Columbia River and is in the process of
buying a 9-acre property near Walla Walla Point Park for
what he said is a sports-related project.

Linda Haglund, executive director of the Wenatchee Valley
Sports Council, said Tuesday that Richard Kozuback,
president and CEO of the sports management company,
will attend the news conference.

The city will discuss pending riverfront projects and introduce
the developers who’ll help carry them out, a city news release
said.

Kozuback’s company, Global Entertainment, specializes in
managing ice/sports arenas and multi-purpose events centers
in small to mid-sized communities, according to the company
Web site.

The site claims Global can “guarantee an anchor tenant” for its
events centers, because one of its subsidiaries is the Central
Hockey League, a minor pro league.

Kozuback founded the Western Professional Hockey League
and was the force behind the league’s merger with the Central
Hockey League, according to information supplied by Global.

He has coached a host of minor- and national-league teams,
including the Tri-City Americans, Phoenix Roadrunners and
Los Angeles Kings, his résumé said.

Other Global subsidiaries include an event booking and promotion
company with food and beverage service for events centers,
a ticketing company for all events at its centers, and an auto
accessory dealer.

The company currently manages 5,000- to 8,000-seat events
centers with ice rinks in Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Ohio and
Penticton B.C., its Web site says.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Kozuback declined to comment
about any potential plans for Wenatchee until he first cleared it
with Allison Williams, the city’s executive services director.

Less than five minutes after the interview with Kozuback
ended late Tuesday, Haglund called back to say she’d spoken
with Kozuback and that the city would announce everything Thursday.

Kozuback said he has a vacation home at
Lake Chelan and is originally from Penticton, B.C.

Meanwhile, Malaga developer Ken Blodgett, whose company,
Blodgett Properties LLC, has bought a more than 4-acre riverfront
property off Piere Street that used to be an old auto wrecking yard.

Brad Kimball, a commercial assessor for Chelan County,
said the $1.35 million sale was recorded Aug. 25. Blodgett
bought the property from Dale Gwinn of Wenatchee.

Blodgett is also in the process of buying an approximately 9-acre
property next to Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse on
Walla Walla Avenue.

The property’s listing realtor, Brenda Burgett of Century 21,
said the sale has not yet closed because several studies are
pending. Burgett also declined further comment.

Blodgett has said by phone that he’s looking at the larger property
next to Lowe’s for a sports-related use, but declined to comment
further until the Thursday press conference.

“What I understand is that a big piece of the puzzle is coming
together,”
said Wenatchee City Councilman Mark Peterson of the news conference.
“It’s very consistent with what we planned, and some private parties
are involved, but there are some land deals that need to come together.”

Other city officials, including Williams,
declined to comment until Thursday.

Approved in February 2004, the Waterfront Development Plan
covers 2.5 miles of riverfront between Orondo Avenue and Walla
Walla Point Park. The plan calls for condominiums, specialty shops,
restaurants and office space.

The city is counting on private development to cover most
of the 20-year plan’s estimated $239 million price tag.

The city is seeking $15 million to $20 million in grant funding
to create “Riverside Drive,” a project to connect Worthen
Street with Walla Walla Avenue to make a continuous riverside
route.

The route rolls through what is now the parking lots
of the Riverfront Ice Arena and Riverfront Park.

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