I've said this before and this seems like a good time to bring it up again -- when Baltimore builds its new downtown arena, it should include a new home for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. It's the best in the country and, according to our story today, the facility is maxed out and could use a new home for expanding its swimming programs. So, in the design of the new arena, why not include a permanent new home for NBAC, Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff? It is not crazy for a developer to consider building an Olympic-size pool in the basement of the new arena and bringing Phelps back to town to promote it as a site for training and for national swimming trials.

The new arena could earn international distinction another way -- by being designed as a fully "green" building, eco-smart in every way. The new arena will likely be heated and cooled using downtown's present steam energy system, which is great, except for one thing - the wasteful water discharge. Experts say the water can be recaptured, filtered and put to other use - for flushing toilets, for making ice for an NHL rink or perhaps for filling an Olympic swimming pool.