Holty’s Blog: the demolition

Before we begin the blog today, the “shut down the office week” was great. I didn’t spray the ball around River Lakes too much (only lost two balls and one wasn’t my fault), I hit a few races at Santa Anita (more on that at the bottom), and more importantly everyone got a much needed breather from the busiest offseason in Condors history.

As you watch the video below, you will notice that friend of the blog @KevinBartl looks different. We are not allowed to talk about why he looks different or how that came to be, but feel free to tweet or e-mail me what you think might have happened.

I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want, but if he says we’re not talk about it, then we don’t.

Now for the blog…

It was great to be able to tour the construction zone that is the Condors team facilities area. The massive undertaking will transform the area from one of the finest in the ECHL to one of the finest in the AHL.

So what exactly is changing? As we mentioned, the actual skeleton of the team’s dressing room is not changing, but is being remodeled. The room was already pretty big and comfortable for the team.

Everything else though …. Bigger and better.

A massive equipment room will combine what was the Condors head coach’s office, assistant coach’s office, equipment office, and storage area. This was all re-done two summers ago and was actually a lot of space, but it’ll be bigger and better now.

A large workout/gym and training facility will be created combining the area that once served medical, training, workout, player lounge, and “the cages” which housed suite furniture, promo giveaways etc.

A large player lounge will allow the team an area to hang out in, grab a bite to eat, watch TV etc. Maybe they can throw a ping pong table in there or even better, foosball. This room previously was called the “CSUB Room,” and was used by visiting teams as a change room. But after a few walls get knocked down and renovations are done, it will become the Condors Lounge.

The expansion of the facilities extends “across the hall” as well. What was previously called “Dressing Room B” will combine with another storage office and become an extremely large coaches and hockey operations area.

We’ll be sure to update with video and pictures as steps get completed down there.

Other odds and ends:

RW Andrew Miller and D Brad Hunt were signed by Edmonton earlier this week. They were two of the top players in the AHL last season, so that’s a positive when looking at on-ice additions this year if they do not make the Oilers.

Tomorrow we’ll start an offseason “top 5” series with “Top 5 Most Unexpected Bobble-Somethings in the Condors office.” If you have other “top 5” ideas, shoot ‘em my way.

Two weeks until we head to Scottsdale for AHL League and Marketing Meetings.

Three weeks till I return home back to the mothership.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt enters his fifth season with the Condors in 2015-16. To the girl at the track walking around taking selfies of herself all day: he hopes you find happiness in your life. Sidenote: don’t be that person. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty or send him an e-mail with ideas, comments, or questions to rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com