True Tales from the Derby City Classic

Sullivan, left, with partner Mark Griffin, may be looking for a new home for the Classic. (Photo by Diana Hoppe)

To Be Continued…

In a room full of pool fans, finding "truth" is like playing a game of telephone - he heard from him that another guy said so-and-so. One rumor kept popping up: The Derby would be going to a new venue next year.

"It's more than a rumor," tournament founder Greg Sullivan of Diamond Billiard Products said about the 2009 DCC. "I have a contract with the Executive West for at least five more years. But for whatever reason, they are making changes."

The Executive West Hotel will be converted into a Crowne Plaza by next year's event, according to hotel general manager John Shake. The action room and second-floor area will not be available, meaning the available space would be halved. The contraction of space has Sullivan looking for a new home, or at least a second site to complement the Executive West.

Sullivan is eyeing the Kentucky Exposition Center, the 1.2 million-square-foot convention area across the street from the Executive West. One option is using the main arena as the new action room, while the expo center would host the tournaments.

"If I could get over there where we have enough room, I could do a lot of good things," Sullivan said. "If we had enough tables, we could assign times, which would be a huge plus."

Some issues - like affordable rooms, 24-hour availability and transportation to and from the tournament site - will have to be resolved before any venue can become the new home for the Derby City Classic. The decision will be made in the coming months, meaning this story is still being written.

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