Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[Coldrsx]

Not much out there, but this is representative.

It's not bad, but dated and certainly a few pinch points.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Proposed Commonwealths re-vamp look good. Happy they've opted to renovate instead of replace.

I don't get the impression that decision has been made nor do I think it is a good idea. That doesn't create ticket scarcity or get fans closer to the field. Doesn't that just say this is what we'll do it we get the funds for a renovation.

[ned]

Originally Posted by elly63

I don't get the impression that decision has been made nor do I think it is a good idea. That doesn't create ticket scarcity or get fans closer to the field. Doesn't that just say this is what we'll do it we get the funds for a renovation.

These renders are from the ongoing preliminary design. If funds are made available (mayor has been asking Province) then detailed design and construction would commence. The new Edmonton Elks owner has talked to the mayor and the future of the Elks will be in a new stadium or revamped Commonwealth. As for Commonwealth, it does bring in the big events and when you don't need all the seating, you can close the upper bowl as the Elks are doing now. As a consumer, I don't want too much ticket scarcity as it drives up the prices. It does need to be brought up to modern stadium standards, which is the purpose of the preliminary design. As for bringing fans closer to the field, we don't know if it includes that or not. In an informal X poll conducted by a journalist, the majority of people did want upgrades over a new stadium or just doing basic maintenance.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ned

In an informal X poll conducted by a journalist, the majority of people did want upgrades over a new stadium or just doing basic maintenance.

Do you have a link? JMO but I don't think cosmetic changes are going to fix the basic problem of the stadium. Too many seats, too far back. I don't think you'll have to worry about ticket scarcity for a long time.

[ned]

Originally Posted by elly63

Do you have a link? JMO but I don't think cosmetic changes are going to fix the basic problem of the stadium. Too many seats, too far back. I don't think you'll have to worry about ticket scarcity for a long time.

One could lower the field to have the crowd more on top of the play. I was referring to if a new stadium was built and just in general, I would not want too much ticket scarcity.

https://x.com/cspotweet/status/1824159784586649717

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ned

One could lower the field to have the crowd more on top of the play. I was referring to if a new stadium was built and just in general, I would not want too much ticket scarcity.

https://x.com/cspotweet/status/1824159784586649717

Thanks for the link. Even though I am biased for a new stadium I have to question the relevant knowledge of the respondents. Almost 30 percent say to leave it as it is? That is untenable and I don't think the majority understand what has to go into a refurb to make it not be untenable.

[Djeffery]

All lowering the floor of the stadium does is allows x amount of rows of seats that are closer to the action, but the rest of the stadium ends up being further away from the field. The stands are where they are, there is no type of renovation that will narrow the overall width of the stands.

And while ticket scarcity might result in price increases, it also helps fuel demand and more advance purchases. If you know there are thousands of seats available for walkup purchases, then maybe you go, maybe you don't. Maybe the weather doesn't look as favourable that day so you skip it. But maybe if you know you have to get tickets in advance or risk not getting them, well they've got your money and you are more likely going to go (and hopefully spend even more money while there). Or actively try to sell them to someone else who will be a body in the seats spending money.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

All lowering the floor of the stadium does is allows x amount of rows of seats that are closer to the action, but the rest of the stadium ends up being further away from the field. The stands are where they are, there is no type of renovation that will narrow the overall width of the stands.

And while ticket scarcity might result in price increases, it also helps fuel demand and more advance purchases. If you know there are thousands of seats available for walkup purchases, then maybe you go, maybe you don't. Maybe the weather doesn't look as favourable that day so you skip it. But maybe if you know you have to get tickets in advance or risk not getting them, well they've got your money and you are more likely going to go (and hopefully spend even more money while there). Or actively try to sell them to someone else who will be a body in the seats spending money.

Couldn't have said it better. I get that some people don't want to spend the money for a new stadium, I get it. But spending half the price of a new stadium for a nice big stadium that still won't cure the basic problem I don't think is the answer.

I would love to see Edmonton get a year round facility. Sure that's going to cost a lotta money but compare that to the amount of dates and new bookings that would be available. If BC get 250 dates a year how many does CS get? 25-30k covered stadium should be seriously looked at. I would go to 35k if the cost was still reasonable.

[J.OT13]

As someone mentioned, closing the upper bowl can create that ticket scarcity, at least in part. Keeping the original structure is also better for the environment.

Arguments can be made for replacing arena that are used 150 times a year (as Edmonton did, Calgary is doing and Ottawa might), but for a stadium that's used maybe 30 times, it's harder to justify, especially when it's so iconic.

[SteelTown]

They are now basically surrounding the exterior of FirstOntario Centre with scaffolding. This thing is gonna be a beast with all the scaffolding.





Source: Chris R. @ https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/thread....32788/page-16

Removing the stairs along York Boulevard, this will be for restaurants.




Source: Chris R. @ https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/thread....32788/page-16

[ned]

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/elks-voi...ions-1.7025934


©City of Edmonton

[J.OT13]

Talks are heating up between the Ottawa Senators and the NCC to get a deal in place for a new rink at LeBreton Flats. Sounds like they made progress this week, but they aren't quite there yet.

Sounds like parking is the sticking point. From what I gather based on an interview with TSN 1200, the Sens may want space for a temporary parking lot (surface or parking garage?) while they build up the arena district.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/we-re-maki...line-1.7026247

https://obj.ca/ottawa-senators-ncc-c...rena-deadline/

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Talks are heating up between the Ottawa Senators and the NCC to get a deal in place for a new rink at LeBreton Flats. Sounds like they made progress this week, but they aren't quite there yet.

Sounds like parking is the sticking point. From what I gather based on an interview with TSN 1200, the Sens may want space for a temporary parking lot (surface or parking garage?) while they build up the arena district.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/we-re-maki...line-1.7026247

https://obj.ca/ottawa-senators-ncc-c...rena-deadline/

Seems like a better idea than way out in the burbs. A big, loud stadium district does take any some of the solemnity across the street at the War Museum but that's probably the veteran talking in me and it's probably the best use for the land.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

Seems like a better idea than way out in the burbs. A big, loud stadium district does take any some of the solemnity across the street at the War Museum but that's probably the veteran talking in me and it's probably the best use for the land.

I thought about that too, but there's a decent degree of separation between the War Museum and the arena. The Museum in on the river, with LeBreton Flats Park (where Bluesfest and other events happen every year, which already brings that loudness to the area) below it, followed by a quieter high density residential district in yellow, and the aqueduct district in blue. The arena is diagonally across the O-Train tracks.

Some of the arena district vibes will likely spill over to Hull across the river, so we will see hundreds of people pass in front of the Museum every event night.



https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/projects/lebre...r-concept-plan

[northernlights99]

Commonwealth Stadium is upgrading for the next Taylor Swift tour. This is pretty clear.

Cities bid for the shows, the stadiums are scrutinized carefully by the tour people. Olympic Stadium was turned down by Swift's people and I believe Commonwealth was also turned down though the Alberta Govt won't admit this.

The amount of revenue brought in from one Taylor Swift show exceed that of 8 or 9 Eskimos / Elks home games.

Heck the Elks didn't even sell out the last game. Entire upper deck was empty.

They could demolish one end of the stands and bring seating in closer to field but that will take too long. The sight lines in Commonwealth are terrible and regrettably there is not enough time to address this.

They had 110,000 at University of Michigan game yesterday. Canada currently doesn't have one stadium holding even 60,000 though Olympic did hold 73,000 in 1976.

Only reason the Swift tour is going to Vancouver is its a winter date and BC Place has a glorious roof. Otherwise if it was a summer date then Edmonton would have gotten those 3 shows, she has more fans in Edmonton alone than in all of BC.

Interesting article below about Olympic stadium. The renderings don't show a reconfiguration of the lower bowl.

I wouldn't be surprised if after the next election a new Quebec Government kaboshes the last part of the project and leaves Olympic Stadium as Open air.

I'd have no problem leaving Olympic stadium as Open air, 4 years is far too long to keep the stadium closed :


https://www.dezeen.com/2024/08/30/gm...ympic-stadium/

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

Heck the Elks didn't even sell out the last game. Entire upper deck was empty.

But that was by design.

Been a while since we've had a "Swift" post, unless I just haven't been paying attention.

Bring on the Swift-ification of our stadiums! The revenue alone will make it worth the effort!!

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by northernlights99

...Taylor Swift...Swift...Taylor Swift...Swift...Olympic stadium...Olympic Stadium...Olympic stadium...

Anyone have these for Northernlights99 Bingo?

[Berklon]

I think we should upgrade all stadiums across Canada so that they can properly host a Taylor Swift concert. For stadiums that can't be upgraded, a new stadium should be built.

Of course, there'll be an influx of people from parts of the country/world that will travel to those concerts - so we should upgrade all our airports in those cities to be able to accommodate them. VIA should also add service to cities across the country so people have the ability to take a train to these concerts from more places.

It might be a good idea to announce a Canada-wide public holiday on the day of Taylor Swift concerts, so that people attending the concerts don't have to lose a days pay while traveling to them.

This will be a good start. We'll tackle upgrading our highways and our health system once the above has started it's implementation.

[ericmacm]

I think this got overshadowed by the Flames’ Scotia Place deal, but earlier in August, OVG approached Saskatoon and wants to contribute $20M to the construction of Saskatoon’s new arena, in addition to $150M in revenue sharing agreements over the following 25 years following construction. The deal would also see them taking over operations of the new arena and TCU Place for the duration of the agreement.

Obviously this is still far and away still very early in the process, and $20M isn’t that much in the grand scheme of the upfront construction costs, but it’s a good sign that OVG would like to get involved here. Meanwhile, the city has also approved a $1.2B plan to pursue getting the arena funded and intend to cover 30% of the cost of the arena itself. However, they are counting on the province and the feds to fund the rest of the arena, which is wishful thinking to say the least.

[ScreamingViking]

Though some believe the race is not to the swift...