Disney's New 70,000 Square-Foot Sports Arena Will Open in Fall 2008

In an announcement expected today, Disney and Jostens Inc., will announce the building of a new sports arena as part of its celebration for the 10-year anniversary of Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The facility will include more than 70,000 square feet of space of which 44,800 will be competition space. This is significantly larger than the Milk House which has 30,000 square feet of competition space. According to Disney officials, the Milk House is booked 50 out of 52 weekends a year and the Jostens Center will more than double their ability to provide sporting events year round. The current 220 acre complex hosts 180 events a year and has seen more than 1.5 million athletes compete at the complex.

The new Josten Center will host basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, cheerleading events, wrestling matches, and other events currently booked at the Milk House. Included in the plans are the Josten's Hall of Fame, athlete memory books, and internet services for competing athletes. The Hall of Fame will promote Super Bowl rings and other sports-related products. As with all of Disney's facilities and concepts, the Josten Center is expected to become the centerpiece for the future.

Most local comments about the new arena are favorable. Although, one resident suggested, "Maybe we can have Magic play at Magic Kingdom. No sense building an arena for a Micky Mouse team." Whatever the opinion is, there is no doubt that thousands more athletes each year will be competing where dreams come true.