On the Street

The search is on for a team to replace the outgoing Springfield Spirit hockey team at Jordan Valley Ice Park. Majority owners Springfield businessmen Robert Smith, Marty Brickey and John Putnam signed a letter of intent for the team’s sale to Alaskan interests and relocation north in April. The deal is pending North American Hockey League approval. Perkin Marketing’s Bill Perkin, the team’s general manager, said 25 percent of the team’s ownership would change hands if approved. “We’ll be moving equipment pretty quickly, but the team won’t report until August,” Perkin said of the pending move to Wasilla, Alaska.

Big bookings

Springfield tourism officials have secured two statewide annual events that bring nearly 10,000 people combined to the city. The Missouri Association for Career & Technical Education has extended its contract to meet in Springfield through 2008, and the Missouri Youth Soccer Association will hold the 2006 Missouri State Cup at Lake Country Soccer, according to the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Springfield has hosted the education convention since 1988. It is the city’s largest annual convention with about 3,300 delegates. The soccer tournament, played in Springfield in 2000 and 2004, draws about 6,500 people. The 2004 Missouri State Cup was the largest youth sporting event ever in Springfield.

Bike to work

The Springbike Bicycle Club and the city of Springfield remind businesses that the citywide Bike to Work Week is May 16–20. Bicycle enthusiasts encourage workers to ride their bicycles to work that week and have set up a competition among businesses. The business with the most riders, days ridden and mileage wins the Bike to Work Week Challenge. City Utilities buses are equipped with bike racks to aid cyclists. To set up a team, call Ozark Greenways at (417) 864-2015.

Slice of Nice

PT Ford Motor Indonesia has donated 10 vehicles to assist with Springfield-based Convoy of Hope’s long-term relief work in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Four brand-new Ford Ranger trucks and a passenger van have been given to each country as Convoy of Hope helps the countries recover from the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in December. Convoy of Hope is sharing the vehicles with partner organizations, using the vehicles to transport food, building supplies, tools, and the teams to build schools and community centers. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect because we have several volunteer work teams going over to help with the rebuilding efforts this summer,” said Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope spokesman.

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