Here's a comparison between Orlando's TD Waterhouse Centre and two newer sports arenas:


TD Waterhouse Centre: home of the Orlando Magic, Orlando Miracle (WNBA) and Orlando Predators (AFL)

Opened in 1989 -- $110 million

17,248 seats for basketball games, including 26 sky boxes. Lacks mid-level suites and wide club seats as well as an upscale restaurant.

Financing: entirely by taxpayers

Naming Rights: $7.8 million, five-year deal with TD Waterhouse


Conseco Fieldhouse: home of the Indiana Pacers

Opened in 1999 -- $236 million

18,500 seats for basketball games; 69 mid-level suites that lease for $95,000 to $197,000 annually; 3 restaurants

Amenities: Team store, 10,000 square feet in size

Financing: $88 million from innkeepers tax, $76 million from food and drink tax, $31 million from special tax district, $4 million from Pacers franchise, $37 million from other sources

Naming rights: Conseco, $40 million over 20 years


Savvis Center: home of the St. Louis Blues, an NHL hockey team and the Saint Louis University Billikens basketball team

Opened in 1994 as the Kiel Center -- $170 million

22,000 seats for basketball games, including 91 suites, 1,684 club seats, seven party rooms and concession stands

Amenities: Food courts, a retail store

Financing: $34.5 million from the city; 20 corporations provided $30 million in cash and guaranteed $98 million in construction loans.

Naming rights: Savvis, from suburban St. Louis, $70 million in cash and stock over 20 years

Falling revenues

The tourist development tax collections for 2000 totaled $108 million, dropping to $104 million in 2001. Orange County officials are bracing for a continued decline in this year's collections.