Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso
I'm of the mind that a 25,000-28,000 seat bowl doesn't need more than 1 tier. Empire Field is testament to that. West Harbour has 2 tiers, but I do love that design. I love for Halifax to get something like that too, but you're right that it's just not in the cards.
Is your reasoning for 3 tiers in your design due to optimizing distance from field? It is a compelling reason, but would make it more expensive.
|
Yes it would be more expensive (2 tiers would be somewhat cheaper per seat). I like having a 3rd tier because it is a way to add more seats without needing a more expensive roof to cover the addition rows (since they all overhang the 2nd tier). I thought that if the stadium were built with two tiers but had extra height (15 feet should be sufficient) then the 3rd tier could be added when required. On the other hand, if additional rows are added to the 2nd tier then either 1) the roof will have to be more expensive to cover all the sideline seats or 2) some of the field level seats will not be covered.
With the Empire Stadium, there is no room for expansion (so it couldn't hold a Grey Cup) and I don't see much room for handicapped seating and luxury seating. It was meant just as a temporary facility so there was not any consideration of leaving room for expansion. The Empire Stadium roof would be the least expensive style to build since it is supported by columns within the seating area (like the Halifax Forum) - but would this be acceptable in Halifax? (it is present in Fenway Park). The Percival Molson Stadium is another good model since it seems to be so popular - but no roof (but Montreal has the Big O if they plan to host the Grey Cup). In my opinion, if the seats are not covered then a CFL team in Halifax has less chance of succeeding (on a rainy day there will be less of a walk up crowd). Most of the newly proposed stadiums for the CFL have most of the seats covered.
The Hamilton West Harbour is a fantastic looking design with a retractable roof, so I am sure the roof structure will be costly. Have you heard any cost estimates? I think that it looks like at least a $300 million dollar stadium.
I have big dreams of Canada hosting the FIFA World Men's Cup in 20 - 30 years and would like Halifax to host some first round games (maybe even some second round games). To do so, the Halifax Stadium should be expansion-ready to over 40,000 seats. The same logic holds for the Grey Cup Game.
PS: There is the chance that a Halifax based CFL team would be so successful that it would need room for expansion. It has happened many times in the USA, it would be good to see the same phenomenon start happening in Canada. With all the exciting new stadium designs on the books for the CFL, it might very well grow in popularity in the coming years. I hope that Halifax will get a team before the franchise fee becomes too expensive to afford.
Threaded Mode