(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A deal has been struck between the City of Stockton and contractor Swinerton Builders working on the new Stockton Arena, to rush construction in order to open the facility in time for scheduled hockey and soccer matches in December.
The deal, which calls for the arena to be completed by December 2nd was revealed on Tuesday, but it does not address the ongoing dispute which involves allegedly unpaid bills and delays in construction due to rain. Mayor Ed Chavez has called the ongoing negotiations as "Hard, intense work." The debate is focused on whether additional funding should be provided to Swinerton in order to "rush" completion to meet the agreed-upon timetable for construction.
The schedule calls for Swinerton to have the facility ready by Nov. 19 for concession operators to install stands and equipment. The agreement will extend the opening date to Dec. 2 provided that the Nov. 19 timetable is met.
The arena, which will be home to the Stockton Thunder, a Double-A Elite Competition Hockey League member and the California Cougars of the Major Indoor Soccer League. – CelebrityAccess staff writers
