Old Coliseum Floor Takes New Role As Second-Stringer

The chairman of Spokane’s Public Facilities District, which oversees Spokane Arena, was quick to see the basketball floor of the old Coliseum as a joke.

He wasn’t alone.

The Coliseum floor - long known for its dead spots - was salvaged and refinished, to be used in the new building whenever a second floor is required.

Jim Ray, PFD chairman, said, “At first I suggested we mark the dead spots so that both teams know where they are.

“I was joking, but I did wonder about the quality of the old floor,” he said.

Ray said he’s been assured the dead spots no longer exist.

So who plays on it at the State B Tournament next March, boys or the girls?

“I don’t know,” Ray said, “but it won’t make any difference, since I’ve been assured that both floors are identical.”

PFD board member Carl Lind said, “We’ve been assured there is no second-best in this deal.”

The old, he said, is as good as new.

, DataTimes