Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Too bad the Owe isn’t being configured to be baseball specific like the Skydome is now, or spend the money on a new world class baseball stadium, to at least give Mtl the chance to attract MLB back.

Given that any potential MLB expansion city would have to build a new stadium, there isn't any reason that as part of Montreal's bid a wholesale interior renovation of the Big O can't be part of the bid. Then could emulate a lot of the outfield features of SkyDome and others with the party decks to fill in that massive emptiness, completely gut the lower bowl into a fixed baseball sightline, all new seating. Something needs to be done with the upper deck in there as it is far too big. If they could build a wall from just aft of the exits and leave the forward section of seats that would great improve the intimacy in there. Maybe they could offer a new lower priced selection of suites up there, or god forbid, hotel space lol. The reason I say the upper deck is too large is because the lower level also is huge. Unlike SkyDome which used to have the entire lower bowl rotate into football configuration, only part of the Olympic lower bowl did that, with the rest of the lower bowl fixed in place. I wouldn't be surprised if they had north of 30,000 seats in that lower bowl. I couldn't even count the rows in the pictures I looked at, if someone has an actual numbered by row seating plan handy, I'd love to see it. Skydome lower bowl has 40 or less rows from field to concourse, I bet Big O has 50-60 rows to the concourse. Also a pretty shallow slope. Gut that whole thing out of there and they can probably move the infield closer in the concourse level and open up some space in the outfield for those other amenities. I have a sense that the whole idea of this is much more complicated than Skydome as there wasn't anything really structural to the building involved in removing that lower bowl and I bet that isn't the case in Montreal.

It might be that it would end up cheaper to build a whole new ballpark for a new team, but given the size of the outer renovation, it would be worth exploring gutting the inside if baseball was a legitimate thing in the next several years.

[Calgarian]

Probably something to do with equalization payments and federal transfers, but I won't get into that here as that a discussion for it's own thread...


So is Montreal actively seeking an MLB franchise again? Would be nice to have more than one Canadian team again, though I don't even follow Baseball...

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Probably something to do with equalization payments and federal transfers, but I won't get into that here as that a discussion for it's own thread...

I'm interested, tell me about it. How does your personal tax money go into a Montreal stadium, what is the path that takes?

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Probably something to do with equalization payments and federal transfers, but I won't get into that here as that a discussion for it's own thread...


So is Montreal actively seeking an MLB franchise again? Would be nice to have more than one Canadian team again, though I don't even follow Baseball...

There's definitely interest and groups wanting to do it. Whether those groups actually have billionaire backing is another question. I always thought that once Bell got out of the MLSE business they would look at how Rogers did with the Jays and try to replicate that with the Expos and TSN. But I've also heard the corporate structure of Bell makes that hard, seeing as how there isn't a "Mr Bell" as a main shareholder and public face to the company.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by elly63

I'm interested, tell me about it. How does your personal tax money go into a Montreal stadium, what is the path that takes?

Again, I won't get into equalization here, you can be a big boy and look into how it all works on your own.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

There's definitely interest and groups wanting to do it. Whether those groups actually have billionaire backing is another question. I always thought that once Bell got out of the MLSE business they would look at how Rogers did with the Jays and try to replicate that with the Expos and TSN. But I've also heard the corporate structure of Bell makes that hard, seeing as how there isn't a "Mr Bell" as a main shareholder and public face to the company.

It does surprise me that a metro of about 5 million only has NHL, Montreal should have MLB and NBA by now. Not sure what kind of draw MLS is in Montreal, not sure if it deserves to be lumped in with the big 4, definitely a level above CFL lol.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Probably something to do with equalization payments and federal transfers, but I won't get into that here as that a discussion for it's own thread...


So is Montreal actively seeking an MLB franchise again? Would be nice to have more than one Canadian team again, though I don't even follow Baseball...

Hard to say - there was a pretty serious push from Bronfman and Devimco in 2019 for the Tampa Bay/Montreal split cities plan. There were designs produced for a stadium in Bassin Peel, but the MLB killed the plan a few years later and there has been no publicly known activity on the file since. Expansion remains up in the air as the Rays and A’s (moreso the Rays) are still being sorted out. I’d imagine that they are likely just sitting on the plans now and trying to slowly garner corporate interest/support.

Worth noting that Stade Olympique, after the renovations, will be in a fixed rectangular configuration moving forward that will not allow baseball anymore. Sending a team back there was a non-starter to begin with, but it is impossible now. It would have to be a brand new purpose-built stadium.

My dream for Montreal is that we see Bell utilize its sports assets (owning TSN and a portion of the Canadiens) and start a similar model to MLSE in Montreal with the Bronfmans and Molsons. All three could pool resources to secure the MLB and NBA. However, I don’t consider this likely to happen at all.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Again, I won't get into equalization here, you can be a big boy and look into how it all works on your own.

You seemed so sure you were paying for it I figured you'd know and tell the rest of us but now as you seem to be back peddling I guess you (as a Calgarian?) can't explain how you are personally helping to pay for a stadium in Quebec

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Not sure what kind of draw MLS is in Montreal, not sure if it deserves to be lumped in with the big 4, definitely a level above CFL lol.

Again with your lack of knowledge spreading disinformation.

Avg game attendance 2025
Montreal Alouettes 20894
CF Montreal 16155

[Calgarian]

I told you, equalization is how Alberta tax dollars end up in Quebec. If you choose to not look into that, I leave that to you. I'm not going to debate it as it will just turn into an argument. You may want to argue endlessly, but I don't and I'm sure that the rest of the people here don't want it either.

You do realize that MLS plays twice the number of games the CFL does right? So while the Alouettes may get 4000 more people to a game than the Impact (or whatever they're called now), they only have 9 home games compared to 17, therefore the MLS team gets way more fans. You completely missed the point though, the CFL does not have the same profile as MLS, not even close. There are MLS franchises worth over $1B, I doubt the entire CFL brand is worth that, let alone any single franchise. CFL is hanging on by a thread, despite slightly higher gate attendance than MLS in Montreal lol.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

So while the Alouettes may get 4000 more people to a game than the Impact (or whatever they're called now)

The CFL also gets much larger TV ratings than MLS. In fact at one time the MLS ratings on TSN were so low (barely above the stadium attendance) the contract almost got cancelled.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

CFL is hanging on by a thread, despite slightly higher gate attendance than MLS in Montreal lol.

Saying LOL after your lies doesn't make them right

[elly63]

Does anybody know if this date is still accurate

The Arena at TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last World Juniors — and that's good for Ottawa
A celebration is in order, both for the storied building's 57-year past and the exciting future of its reincarnation a stone's throw from the current location.
Don Brennan Ottawa Citizen December 27, 2024

When the grand plan is rubber-stamped on October 22, 2025, the wheels will immediately be set in motion on Lansdowne 2.0, the construction of a spectacular new facility that will be a much-needed new home for the Ontario Hockey League’s 67’s, as well as the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, while providing upgraded seating and added viewing points for the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks, as well as the Atletico Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League and the newly born Ottawa Rapid FC, a professional women’s soccer team in the fledgling Northern Super League.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by elly63

Saying LOL after your lies doesn't make them right

That's just me laughing at you, you say funny things lol.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

That's just me laughing at you, you say funny things lol.

Yeah, I find your fairy tales funny.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

One more from the CFR last night with upper bowl open.

For a moment I was shocked they weren't using the old Rexall place until I did some research and it's very much ready for demolition ha!
Love a good indoor rodeo, those dimensions always add some extra randomness vs bigger arenas like Calgary, Pendleton, Cheyenne etc

[Calgarian]

Think the Oilers have a similar deal as the Flames got regarding the old arena. It's not allowed to compete with the new one, so Rexall just sat vacant forever. Think demo is underway or is about to be?

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I told you, equalization is how Alberta tax dollars end up in Quebec. If you choose to not look into that, I leave that to you. I'm not going to debate it as it will just turn into an argument. You may want to argue endlessly, but I don't and I'm sure that the rest of the people here don't want it either.

You do realize that MLS plays twice the number of games the CFL does right? So while the Alouettes may get 4000 more people to a game than the Impact (or whatever they're called now), they only have 9 home games compared to 17, therefore the MLS team gets way more fans. You completely missed the point though, the CFL does not have the same profile as MLS, not even close. There are MLS franchises worth over $1B, I doubt the entire CFL brand is worth that, let alone any single franchise. CFL is hanging on by a thread, despite slightly higher gate attendance than MLS in Montreal lol.

CFL is hanging on by a thread? Honestly where do you get that information, or is that another big boy exercise?

How many years now have we heard that too, must be coming up on at least 50 years…

[Calgarian]

I get my information by watching the CFL, reading articles and generally paying attention to what's happening. Here's some reading for all you keyboard warriors out there. https://globalnews.ca/news/11263497/...ial-struggles/

So the question would then be, where do you get your information? only having 2 of 9 teams making money seems to not be a recipe for success to me, but you're so smart, prove me wrong.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I get my information by watching the CFL, reading articles and generally paying attention to what's happening. Here's some reading for all you keyboard warriors out there. https://globalnews.ca/news/11263497/...ial-struggles/

So the question would then be, where do you get your information? only having 2 of 9 teams making money seems to not be a recipe for success to me, but you're so smart, prove me wrong.

Ahh, now I see the point of the trolling.

Before the pandemic 8 of the 9 teams made money. At this moment the league has the wealthiest group of owners in its history. Rich people like to be around other rich people. Forbes estimated Als' owner Pierre Karl Peladeau's net worth at $2.4 billion which begs the question why would he involve himself in a money losing venture if that were really true

The TSN TV contract covers the player' salaries so the gate and other sources of revenue cover expenses.

By a strange coincidence, the only two teams that are said to make money are the only two that are publicly owned and have to publish their financials.

I have a difficult time believing a steady franchise like Hamilton with no attendance issues is suddenly not profitable, the same with the Lions whose attendance has increased each year by 3000 per game for the last three seasons and this season by 1000 over last season's.

So aside from the disinformation (lies) you posted previously, you finally google some sourced information. Here's another, the November 9 1987 issue of Sports Illustrated was telling us the CFL was dying. That was 38 years ago and yet the league still marches on.

You mention where you get your information, until the last post it was the voices playing in your head and that was disinformation. Why you would want to troll a Canadian venture at this time in our history is beyond me.