One of the upcoming changes I really liked to hear was some of the sanctuary improvements they'd like to make. Some of the things mentioned:
-Race tracks to practice driving. Or holding ANT races when you can't get anywhere with poplocks.
-Aerial obstacle courses and targets for pilot practice.
-Grief-free combat arenas where outfits could scrimmage and fight against rival outfits in the same empire. Also for training of new players.
Of course, that's after the alter the data structures to make the maps a bit more changeable...so summer at the earliest probably.