Sale of Arena Slated For This Week; State Purchase Hopes Fade

Despite the "lump in the threat" of Arena manager Walter Brown, the St. Botolph St. sports center may finally pass away this week, into the hands of a group of businessmen who will convert it to a factory building.

"Severing connections with the Arena brings a lump to my throat," Brown was quoted as saying yesterday. "I hate to see it go, but you can't beat figures in dollars and coats."

Bills now pending in the Massachusetts House would have the Arena purchased by the Metropolitan District Commission, for use as a school and college sports center. However, fast action will be necessary, for the businessmen have a March 15 option.

Only other possibility for keeping Harvard House and varsity hockey on its present status would be M.D.C.'s purchasing the Arena from the business group, rather than Brown's corporation.