Disrepair In Detroit

The clock is ticking on the Detroit Red Wings’ lease with the city at Joe Louis Arena, and the Detroit News certainly isn’t holding back about the state of the aging facility.

The Joe lacks many amenities commonly found in newer venues. While the Ilitch family that owns the team previously considered an overhaul of the 31-year-old venue, it appears more likely that they’ll push for the construction of a new facility downtown.

To hear the News tell it, the Joe is “on its last legs.” The paper recently toured the facility and emerged with a laundry list of “observations” about the venue.

High on the list of complaints were the steps leading up to the arena, which were noted for being “steep, shallow and crumbling.”

“Fans complain you can only put half your foot on the steps while walking up and down, and there were a number of fans clutching the rails as if their lives depended on it,” the paper said.

Next up were the women’s restroom lines, which reportedly often hold between 40 and 50 fans between periods during hockey games.

“Tell them that women are important and want to see the game also,” one fan told the News. “We don’t like missing parts of the game.”

Inadequate entrances and exits, an out-of-date scoreboard, small seats, a narrow concourse and lack of legroom also made the paper’s list.

The team is reportedly considering signing a three-year lease with the nearby Palace of Auburn Hills while a new arena is built.