Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[Doug]

Originally Posted by tomthumb2

No kidding. It's not going to be enough to get current or new fans excited about going to that place. Just shows how the Stamps rate in Calgary: second class citizens.

And rightfully so with only 9 home games per year. McMahon is all that can be justified by the pathetic revenue stream of the CFL business model. A multiuse facility may be able to make a business case, but would likely need to add far more than just a field house. Realistically, exhibition space is likely the only option and likely not a good one with trade shows in decline.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by Doug

And rightfully so with only 9 home games per year. McMahon is all that can be justified by the pathetic revenue stream of the CFL business model. A multiuse facility may be able to make a business case, but would likely need to add far more than just a field house. Realistically, exhibition space is likely the only option and likely not a good one with trade shows in decline.

And yet other cities nowhere near as "wealthy" or "booming" as Calgary can build new stadiums or do major renovations, yet woo is me Calgary can't pull their finger out?

[wave46]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

And yet other cities nowhere near as "wealthy" or "booming" as Calgary can build new stadiums or do major renovations, yet woo is me Calgary can't pull their finger out?

That's the eternal debate of every city when these sort of things come up - do we spend hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money on a facility that will be underused at a professional level (9 CFL games per year) or even on one that effectively subsidizes a profitable professional sports team (NHL hockey arenas).

Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean we should do it as well.

The only arenas/stadiums that were privately financed in the last 30 years in Canada were: The Bell Centre in Montreal, The Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa and Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

I personally take a dim view of the "stadium/arena shakedown" given that other governmental responsibilities should take priority. But I never discount the irrationality of people when it comes to stadiums and arenas. I'm mostly just thankful that we don't go to the extreme of our southern neighbor.

[Bannedwagon Fan]

I hate refurbishing stuff but McMahon seems like it would be an ideal candidate for refurbishment

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Pre-game



Post-game

[MonctonRad]

Current construction status of the new downtown Moncton events centre:

Main entrance:


East side, which will face on an entrance plaza which will contain (amongst other things) an outdoors refrigerated skating oval. That little recessed area between the main entrance and the second glassed in area will be a bar patio off of the club restaurant (there will be two such patios).


A couple of shots of the interior arena section. The south end will contain retractable seating to allow for a recessed stage area for concerts. The area to the left on the second image covered by tarp is where the corporate boxes and the club restaurant will go. The club seating will be directly in front of this tarped in area. The remainder of the arena patrons will have access to multiple concessions (reportedly 10) on the surrounding concourse level.




Grand opening will be July 2018. It will be the 15th largest arena in Canada (just behind Budweiser Gardens in London).

[SaskScraper]

^^This new arena will be a nice addition to the mix of half-NHL sized centres in the country & it reminds me a lot of the Brandt Centre in Regina with the end zone stadium seating & with corporate boxes along top center line.



It always seems like the central video score board is like the icing on the cake too when arenas nears construction completion. After decades with old video board, Regina got a huge new arena video board last year and is one of the largest in North America not in National Hockey League.

Hopefully once New Brunswick's arena is finished there will be a lot of new events that will come to the Maritimes like Pro Bull Riding, World hockey and figure skating tournaments, cirque shows, concerts etc. Regina gets some cool events when SaskTel Centre passes them up, like Seinfeld standup tour coming in a couple of weeks..

http://www.jerryseinfeldtickets.net/

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

And yet other cities nowhere near as "wealthy" or "booming" as Calgary can build new stadiums or do major renovations, yet woe is me Calgary can't pull their finger out?

I have to agree, unlike Regina, I see a lot of "Can Don't" attitude coming from Calgarians. Surprising really.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

That's the eternal debate of every city when these sort of things come up - do we spend hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money on a facility that will be underused at a professional level (9 CFL games per year) .

Why do people continuously post things like that? Do you honestly believe it will only be used for nine dates a year? No community usage.

Granted that is a far argument from whether or not it will be profitable but it's not going to be used for only nine dates a year.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by elly63

I have to agree, unlike Regina, I see a lot of "Can Don't" attitude coming from Calgarians. Surprising really.

Now that you mention it, it is kind of weird how Winnipeg and Regina got new venues built while Calgary just wrings their hands over how it can't be done. Kind of a role reversal if you ask me.

Ok, I'll stop homering now

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by elly63

I have to agree, unlike Regina, I see a lot of "Can Don't" attitude coming from Calgarians. Surprising really.

For a "big" city, lots of nope can't do it comes out of Calgary along the sporting field. If it wasn't for the Olympics in 88 would they even have the Saddledome?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by esquire

Now that you mention it, it is kind of weird how Winnipeg and Regina got new venues built while Calgary just wrings their hands over how it can't be done. Kind of a role reversal if you ask me

Sorry, I should have mentioned the Peg as well, they got it done.

[MonctonRad]

A few more recent photos of the downtown Moncton (NB) events centre:


Interesting view of the main entry lobby area.


Future club lounge


East side perspective

[tovan]

Came across this the other day

Five options are being considered for renovation or relocation of Thunderbird Stadium [UBC]

http://planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/project...-planning-process/spectator-hub-overview

[wave46]

Originally Posted by elly63

Why do people continuously post things like that? Do you honestly believe it will only be used for nine dates a year? No community usage.

Granted that is a far argument from whether or not it will be profitable but it's not going to be used for only nine dates a year.

I didn't say it would only be used 9 days a year. I said it would only host 9 CFL games (and an occasional Grey Cup) per year. A major concert/event or two might stop by every couple of years. The revenue generating ability of a major facility should be at least a consideration in its construction. These facts greatly impact any recovery of the costs involved.

I'm sure it will be used for community groups and other much smaller leagues. They won't contribute much towards its operating costs, unfortunately.

At least NHL arenas get 40 games a year on home ice. The arena can be used as a venue for other sports (lacrosse, basketball) in addition to hockey. Also, utilization as a concert/event venue is better at arenas - they can be used all year round.

If the people of the City of Calgary want to support such an endeavor, all the power to them. I'm skeptical of the value of such things, but I'm just one opinion of many.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

For a "big" city, lots of nope can't do it comes out of Calgary along the sporting field. If it wasn't for the Olympics in 88 would they even have the Saddledome?

Probably not unless it was privately built. City councils in Calgary tend to be very anti-pro sports even though the hypocrites don't seem to have any problems accepting free tickets to games.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by wave46

I didn't say it would only be used 9 days a year. I said it would only host 9 CFL games (and an occasional Grey Cup) per year. A major concert/event or two might stop by every couple of years. The revenue generating ability of a major facility should be at least a consideration in its construction. These facts greatly impact any recovery of the costs involved.

I'm sure it will be used for community groups and other much smaller leagues. They won't contribute much towards its operating costs, unfortunately.

At least NHL arenas get 40 games a year on home ice. The arena can be used as a venue for other sports (lacrosse, basketball) in addition to hockey. Also, utilization as a concert/event venue is better at arenas - they can be used all year round.

If the people of the City of Calgary want to support such an endeavor, all the power to them. I'm skeptical of the value of such things, but I'm just one opinion of many.

So if revenues are limited in an outdoor venue, then what will be subsidizing the shortfalls in these other new or newer outdoor venues?

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by speedog

So if revenues are limited in an outdoor venue, then what will be subsidizing the shortfalls in these other new or newer outdoor venues?

Things are different in Calgary.....

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

Things are different in Calgary.....

How does that answer my question? Please expand.

[wacko]

I would say it's fair for the City of Calgary to consider contributing a large chunk of money towards a new stadium, since McMahon Stadium is near the end of its useful lifespan. Of course the city may have other, more immediate priorities for that money, especially given the downturn in the economy.

The same can't be said for the Saddledome: it's not near the end of its lifespan yet. In that situation, taxpayers wouldn't be best served by handing out money before it's needed. So Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation can either build a new arena with their own money if they really feel it's necessary, or else they can wait another 10-15 years before the Saddledome actually needs replacing.