[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

A new arena in Saskatoon doesn't necessarily have to seat 15,000 to attract the big concerts it currently does either. The vast majority of concert set-ups have a 180 degree format in which the seats beside and behind the stage are tarped off. Arenas like those in London, Grand Rapids and Sioux Falls seat approximately 10,000 - 11,000 for hockey - the arena consists of a full lower seating bowl but a partial upper deck that only extends two - thirds of the way around the arena. This results in non-balanced seating arrangement for which a minimal number of seats have to be tarped off for concerts. In the end, these arenas may seat the 10,000 minimum necessary to attract those large scale events.

Perhaps building to this format would keep the costs of a new arena in Saskatoon manageable level - the proposed $170 million or so - while maintaining the city's ability to attract large scale events. It sure hasn't hurt Grand Rapids, Sioux Falls and London as the 2018 Poll Star numbers attest - all ahead of Saskatoon in concert tickets sold.

https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/...Venues_702.pdf

And London has consistently managed to do this with 4 NHL size arenas within a couple hours drive.