A few days ago, I went for the first time to the ScotiaBank Place arena (aka Corel Centre).
What a nice building.
But what a TERRIBLE LOCATION! with a TERRIBLE PARKING!
I mean really!
Urbanism 101, design 101 anyone?
Planning 101, city management 101 anyone?
Sustainable development 101 anyone?
Common sense anyone?
Is anybody there?
Just look at a map of Ottawa, where would you choose to put such an arena?
I agree it would not fit at Rideau Centre or Byward Market.
But there are many places closer to downtown Ottawa where it would fit.
What about LeBreton?
What about the airport (CE Centre?)
What about near Billings Bridge? (RA Centre)
What about Innes and Blair?
What about Walkley and Russell?
What about near Bayshore Mall Queensway Carleton Hospital?
No city could do better than Ottawa, right?
Compare the location of Ottawa ScotiaBank Place with
-- Montreal Bell Centre,
-- Boston TD Garden,
-- New York Madison Square Garden,
-- Buffalo First Niagara Center,
-- Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome,
-- Vancouver Rogers Arena,
What about public transportation, using OC Transpo bus? (try it...)
What about parking at Scotiabank Place?
It's free at Mc Donalds or Wal-Mart, but here it will cost you at least $7.
And you will have to cross a 6-lane highway with chaotic traffic to reach the entrance, far away from the parking.
How many cars have to return trip all the way there to fill the arena?
Most of these cars I am sure do not come from Kanata, but have to travel much longer.
Talk about sustainable development or energy efficiency.
Talk about being part of a community.
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