Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

The Jays aren't part of MLSE, they are Rogers only. The Argos to Bell makes the most sense since they are the ones that brought the Argos into the fold in the first place (along with Larry) and with TSN's connection to the league. MLSE probably would want to retain control of BMO Field and rather have the Argos pay rent rather than own them as well.

Major Alzheimers moment on my part, I knew something wasn't right about what I was saying and breaking the Jays up didn't make sense. A personal message from my life to the young folks, never be embarrassed when people call you kid, just be worried when they stop.

[king10]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Point well taken on soccer and baseball not being compatible. Baseball has enough games to justify a purposed built stadium, unlike football or soccer.

MLS to Percival Molson with CFL then.

As for Bell taking the Argos, seems like a bum deal. "Hey, you can have this reject team nobody watches". Best case, Rogers just buys out Bell and that's the end if it.

That sounds like a terrible idea for the Impact(FC).

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

As for Bell taking the Argos, seems like a bum deal. "Hey, you can have this reject team nobody watches". Best case, Rogers just buys out Bell and that's the end if it.

Don't know where to start with this one. Aside from the Argos/CFL/TSN relationship the thought of Rogers buying Bell doesn't bear thinking about. Wrong on so many levels.

Attendance, game-day revenue up in Toronto, other major CFL markets
Dan Ralph Canadian Press August 23, 2023

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by king10

That sounds like a terrible idea for the Impact(FC).

Why is that? Works for Toronto and Vancouver. With a proper renovation, Molson could be upgraded to at least BMO Field standards.

Originally Posted by elly63

Don't know where to start with this one. Aside from the Argos/CFL/TSN relationship the thought of Rogers buying Bell doesn't bear thinking about. Wrong on so many levels.

Attendance, game-day revenue up in Toronto, other major CFL markets
Dan Ralph Canadian Press August 23, 2023

I meant buy Bell out of MLSE, not buy-out Bell and we're stuck with Rogers as the only big cable/internet/phone provider. I hate Rogers with a passion and I don't know what I would do if Bell suddenly no longer existed.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

If, and it's a HUGE if Montreal were to get a baseball team again, the Big O needs to be blown up to end any type of chance of baseball being played there.

I assume that was facetious as we know the Big O can't be blown up.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Why is that? Works for Toronto and Vancouver. With a proper renovation, Molson could be upgraded to at least BMO Field standards.

Molson Stadium is over 100 years old, read up on why Ivor Wynne Stadium wasn't renovated but knocked down and built anew. As Molson is also owned and used by the university, that necessitates artificial turf. CFM wouldn't want to go back to that and unless the university wasn't allowed to use the field they own, the turf damage from overuse would render it unusable. It's not the sport that damages turf (and soccer is more damaging than football) it's the usage and recovery. Football and soccer can share if properly scheduled (Argos and TFC) but add daily university use, it would be unplayable. You would also have to factor in the cost of crews and turf upkeep.

The limitations of both Molson and Saputo are why both teams want new facilities.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by elly63

I assume that was facetious as we know the Big O can't be blown up.

That's an interesting document. The way they debunk "the stadium is a big, unused white elephant" is by providing stats that prove it's a big, unused white elephant. What does it matter if you can fit the population of St-Jerome in the stadium? And 66 million over 35 years comes to just short of 2 million per year. Bell Centre probably welcomes double that in a stadium a fraction of the size.

A lot of other questionable arguments on that document.

And this from a guy who wants to save the Big "O".

[thurmas]

Molson will likely have a modest reno and stay home of alouettes. I don't see a feasible reno plan that can have it accommodate mls. Expos expansion plans i have no idea but I would think they would prefer a open air 30,000 seat park downtown. I could see it as a partnership between bell and bronfman making Expos the TSN version to Rogers Blue Jays.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by elly63

Molson Stadium is over 100 years old, read up on why Ivor Wynne Stadium wasn't renovated but knocked down and built anew. As Molson is also owned and used by the university, that necessitates artificial turf. CFM wouldn't want to go back to that and unless the university wasn't allowed to use the field they own, the turf damage from overuse would render it unusable. It's not the sport that damages turf (and soccer is more damaging than football) it's the usage and recovery. Football and soccer can share if properly scheduled (Argos and TFC) but add daily university use, it would be unplayable. You would also have to factor in the cost of crews and turf upkeep.

The limitations of both Molson and Saputo are why both teams want new facilities.

So sharing a stadium isn't the issue, it's Molson's role as a university stadium.

How often does the University use the field? It can't be daily? They have at least two other fields that can be used for practice.

CFL does use artificial turf. That's what we have at Lansdowne in Ottawa. Don't know about the others.

https://3downnation.com/2020/03/10/o...f-at-td-place/

[elly63]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Molson will likely have a modest reno and stay home of alouettes. I don't see a feasible reno plan that can have it accommodate mls. Expos expansion plans i have no idea but I would think they would prefer a open air 30,000 seat park downtown. I could see it as a partnership between bell and bronfman making Expos the TSN version to Rogers Blue Jays.

Agreed, but as I said before that doesn't take into account early and late season games and building a new stadium and leaving the Big O issue unsolved.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

CFL does use artificial turf. That's what we have at Lansdowne in Ottawa. Don't know about the others.

It's not the CFL we are talking about, it is MLS where artificial turf is discouraged. And yes the Whitecaps play on AT making 6 of 29 teams in MLS that play on artificial turf, three of them in the rainy Pacific Northwest. I was actually surprised to see there were as many as 6 teams, but pretty sure CFM wouldn't go back to it without a big backlash from players and fans.

Only the Argos play on turf (hybrid), the rest of the CFL teams play on AT until BC Place does the big field overhaul to host the soccer World Cup

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by elly63

It's not the CFL we are talking about, it is MLS where artificial turf is discouraged. And yes the Whitecaps play on AT making 6 of 29 teams in MLS that play on artificial turf, three of them in the rainy Pacific Northwest. I was actually surprised to see there were as many as 6 teams, but pretty sure CFM wouldn't go back to it without a big backlash from players and fans.


Only the Argos play on turf (hybrid), the rest of the CFL teams play on AT until BC Place does the big field overhaul to host the World Cup

Ok, I miss-understood. Any reason why CFL leans artificial?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Ok, I miss-understood. Any reason why CFL leans artificial?

It's not so much the CFL, they play (usually) in city owned or university owned stadiums. It comes down to cost and durability, turf fields have to be well maintained, more equipment, more staff, have to limit use etc.

[Acajack]

Surprised by the discussion on here because Jeremy Filosa tempered the hopes with this post yesterday.

https://twitter.com/JeremyFilosa/sta...34616651907245

At least when it comes to a new stadium at Bassin Peel in central Montreal.

[WhipperSnapper]

Baseball is not saving The Big O. I don't think the Expos' embarrassing exit has been completely forgotten (although MLB did profit from it) and major leagues aren't fond of corporate ownership (which is what is available in Canada)

[elly63]

Originally Posted by elly63

Only the Argos play on turf (hybrid)

In case anyone was unsure of what hybrid turf is here are some links. BMO uses SiSGrass but there is also Desso GrassMaster which may be the most popular form. Like most different brands of artificial turf the concept is much the same.

BMO Field’s new hybrid turf surface
Desso GrassMaster - the hybrid grass solution
Desso GrassMaster hybrid grass at Wembley Stadium

[elly63]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Baseball is not saving The Big O. I don't think the Expos' embarrassing exit has been completely forgotten (although MLB did profit from it) and major leagues aren't fond of corporate ownership (which is what is available in Canada)

I don't know about that, only the NFL seems to be restrictive about that and getting less restrictive IIRC

[ericmacm]

…and here comes a competing rumour that puts the potential for an Expos return in cold water. Axiom Raleigh is reporting that there has been a 6-month long, quiet effort on behalf of the government of North Carolina and the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes to bring a team to Raleigh. Raleigh is apparently #2 in NHL attendance at the moment, and NC is planning on having 0% corporate tax by 2030. The only real potential roadblock for Raleigh is Atlanta, who sees the Carolinas as part of their territory.

Other interested cities in the east are obviously Nashville (who has a stadium plan and potential ownership group), Charlotte (who has nothing yet AFAIK), and Orlando (who also has a stadium plan and potential ownership group). Competition for a team in the east is highly contested.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

…and here comes a competing rumour that puts the potential for an Expos return in cold water. Axiom Raleigh is reporting that there has been a 6-month long, quiet effort on behalf of the government of North Carolina and the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes to bring a team to Raleigh. Raleigh is apparently #2 in NHL attendance at the moment, and NC is planning on having 0% corporate tax by 2030. The only real potential roadblock for Raleigh is Atlanta, who sees the Carolinas as part of their territory.

Other interested cities in the east are obviously Nashville (who has a stadium plan and potential ownership group), Charlotte (who has nothing yet AFAIK), and Orlando (who also has a stadium plan and potential ownership group). Competition for a team in the east is highly contested.

Raleigh is #2 in NHL attendance? Wow, how things have changed.

Also, it would be ironic for Atlanta to block Raleigh from having an MLB team while Atlanta is actively looking at getting it's NHL team back.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

while Atlanta is actively looking at getting it's NHL team back.

Just my opinion, but to consider that, is a direct slap in the face to Quebec.