Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Ha ya definitely Alberta vibes.

Not Alberta vibes, just plain run of the mill troll vibes, they come from everywhere.

[WhipperSnapper]

The Olympic Stadium continues to be a money pit. It's reminiscent to a Richardson Romanesque Sanatorium. A stunning architectural structure left to rot because of the astronomical cost to adaptively reuse plus the dark history attached to the usage. The grossly inflated demolition costs says it all about deferred repairs to Olympic Stadium. To call it a renovation to bring it up to modern standards would take another half billion minimum. It would still be a dated, modernist era layout.

[Oilkountry]

I'm not trolling at all. Ive been listening to people on this forum try and convince me an outdated ugly money pit is too important to the fabric of its community for well over a decade. I take a 2 year break and come back to the same argument. I remember comments about tearing down the stadium would be like tearing down the eifflel Tower. Sure it has history, The same level of olympic history McMahon Stadium holds in calgary. We would NEVER be having this conversation about its Olympic history if we were talking about demolition vs renovation at even half this price tag. It would be demolition all day. And that Stadium serves a purpose far greater than the Big O. If we were talking about a 1.3 Billion reno that would attract the Als and MFC into the building i wouldn't have a bad thing to say about it even if the billion dollar roof was a must. But its a billion dollar portion of a roof for stadium with no real purpose past a convention centre, How is anyone justifying this? You could build an MLB Stadium for that amount of money. Its the decision making that really bothers me. Not the stadium or its geographical location. And the people on here acting like its such an icon on the global stage that in itself justifies a billion $ roof. What are we doing here? It doesnt even have a tenant. Its a slap in the face to tax payers. I didnt hear a single thing about partnering with the als and MFC who are both actively looking for a new home. Yes its an emotional response but its not unwarranted. People did everything but set fire to the city when edmonton gave a quarter of that money for rogers place which has had a massive impact to the city. But a billion for the Big O and nobody bats an eye. Its wild. Its actually wild.

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by Berklon

More details:

I retract my statement.

I think the exterior and the interior bowl remaining mostly the same either than a color chnage is pretty dissapointing. But I wasnt aware of the amenities being added.

From what they released it looked like they were painting the facade, slapping in some new seats and adding some suites. I thought it was a little underwhelming for the projected pricetag

[jc_yyc_ca]

August timelapse of construction on Scotia Place in Calgary.

• Video Link

[Calgarian]

Only 2 more full hockey season before the puck is dropped in the Fireplace!

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I'm not trolling at all. Ive been listening to people on this forum try and convince me an outdated ugly money pit is too important to the fabric of its community for well over a decade. I take a 2 year break and come back to the same argument. I remember comments about tearing down the stadium would be like tearing down the eifflel Tower. Sure it has history, The same level of olympic history McMahon Stadium holds in calgary. We would NEVER be having this conversation about its Olympic history if we were talking about demolition vs renovation at even half this price tag. It would be demolition all day. And that Stadium serves a purpose far greater than the Big O. If we were talking about a 1.3 Billion reno that would attract the Als and MFC into the building i wouldn't have a bad thing to say about it even if the billion dollar roof was a must. But its a billion dollar portion of a roof for stadium with no real purpose past a convention centre, How is anyone justifying this? You could build an MLB Stadium for that amount of money. Its the decision making that really bothers me. Not the stadium or its geographical location. And the people on here acting like its such an icon on the global stage that in itself justifies a billion $ roof. What are we doing here? It doesnt even have a tenant. Its a slap in the face to tax payers. I didnt hear a single thing about partnering with the als and MFC who are both actively looking for a new home. Yes its an emotional response but its not unwarranted. People did everything but set fire to the city when edmonton gave a quarter of that money for rogers place which has had a massive impact to the city. But a billion for the Big O and nobody bats an eye. Its wild. Its actually wild.

Agree with this 100%

[phone]

Originally Posted by king10

I live in Hamilton, am under 45 and I care about the big O so looks like your statement is wrong.

To be honest, it sounds like you’re really fired up and have it out for Quebec and France? Why so angry?

I am in Saskatoon, am under 45 and also consider the Big O to be a national landmark.

Quebec is awesome lol

[phone]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I'm not trolling at all. Ive been listening to people on this forum try and convince me an outdated ugly money pit is too important to the fabric of its community for well over a decade. I take a 2 year break and come back to the same argument. I remember comments about tearing down the stadium would be like tearing down the eifflel Tower. Sure it has history, The same level of olympic history McMahon Stadium holds in calgary. We would NEVER be having this conversation about its Olympic history if we were talking about demolition vs renovation at even half this price tag. It would be demolition all day. And that Stadium serves a purpose far greater than the Big O. If we were talking about a 1.3 Billion reno that would attract the Als and MFC into the building i wouldn't have a bad thing to say about it even if the billion dollar roof was a must. But its a billion dollar portion of a roof for stadium with no real purpose past a convention centre, How is anyone justifying this? You could build an MLB Stadium for that amount of money. Its the decision making that really bothers me. Not the stadium or its geographical location. And the people on here acting like its such an icon on the global stage that in itself justifies a billion $ roof. What are we doing here? It doesnt even have a tenant. Its a slap in the face to tax payers. I didnt hear a single thing about partnering with the als and MFC who are both actively looking for a new home. Yes its an emotional response but its not unwarranted. People did everything but set fire to the city when edmonton gave a quarter of that money for rogers place which has had a massive impact to the city. But a billion for the Big O and nobody bats an eye. Its wild. Its actually wild.

Okay fine you can make the economic argument for keeping it or tearing it down, but that doesn't affect it's Landmark status? Would you say the Astrodome isn't a landmark because it's a mothballed has-been next door to a shiny new stadium? Or is this really just a French thing?

[Hackslack]

Perhaps the hundreds of millions should have been spent to at least repurpose it. Surely if Maple Leaf Gardens can do it that, something not nearly as significant like the Big O should be as well?

Who knows, it’s 5000km away from me, in a sovereign nation within Canada and therefore a different culture, and obviously means more to Montreal/Quebec for it to sit without a permanent.

Hopefully the Grey Cup can at least find its way back there.

[MalcolmTucker]

Is this rendering still as much as we know about bowl reconfigurations of Olympic Stadium?


Source: Populous + A via https://www.sbp.de/app/uploads/2024/...-2048x1152.jpg

[elly63]

I have seen the images like the one above from the beginning. They can be seen here along with an image that shows the lower seating that will be fixed in place. We also know that the sound, lights and HVAC will be updated.

But this is the first time I noticed the name Populous included (bottom right of the image) and Architecture49, both are architectural design firms. Populous is famous the world over and it looks like Architecture49 has done much work in Canada (pardon my ignorance on them).

I have never heard of any money allocated for an interior refurb (aside from what I noted above) and the only rumours of one came from this article

An ultra-modern stadium?
A virtual tour of the new Olympic Stadium gets people talking!
Jeremy Filosa 98.5 Sports March 20, 2023

The projected images are simply a reflection of what the people of the Olympic Park would like to see as an improvement. For the moment, no work is yet mandated, in order to proceed.

Here is the information we were able to gather.

An unrecognizable stadium
The consensus seems to be that the Olympic Stadium will be “unrecognizable” if all of these changes actually take place.

First, as in the majority of modern stadiums, the intention would be to break down the walls that block the view to the field from the passageways.

This means that even if we line up at the food concessions, we can always keep an eye on what is happening on the ground.

Several new stadiums are now removing seats that are rarely occupied, to make way for terraces where people remain standing, in a more convivial atmosphere to watch the match or simply discuss other things.

A terrace for this purpose, which can accommodate up to 250 people, would also be in the plans.

There is also talk of a large open space near the stadium entrance.

The new seating configuration would no longer allow the benches closest to the field to move.

This means that the bottom of the stands would lose its horseshoe shape, giving way to a permanent rectangular configuration, no longer allowing baseball games to be held. The new configuration would favor football and soccer more.

It is assumed that all seats would be replaced, but we do not have confirmation of this.

The Piece de Resistance
As is the case in the most modern stadiums, the people of the Olympic Park would like to mount huge giant screens which would be suspended from the technical ring of the stadium.

Add to this, the replacement of the sound system, the lighting, the repair of the dressing rooms and the replacement of the roof (this is already budgeted for).

No deadline has yet been worked out for this multi-million dollar project.

[elly63]

The one good thing about the CFL rule changes is the only two fields that are directly affected for change are the two that are near End of Life and need to be replaced. So nobody who has replaced their artificial turf recently will have to replace it.

The only teams left with inlaid lines are Montreal and Regina. While needing to be replaced Edmonton's AT is unlined so not affected by the rule change. The Regina CEO has just announced he is not averse to having an unlined AT this time opening up Mosaic for higher end soccer.

As I have posted before, thankfully Canadian stadiums when replacing their AT, go with the state of the art product of the time.

April 2025 Calgary - FieldTurf Vertex Core 1, wlth CoolPlay TPE infill, FIFA Quality Pro certified
May 2024 Winnipeg - FieldTurf Vertex Core 1, wlth CoolPlay TPE infill, FIFA Quality Pro certified
January 2022 Vancouver - FieldTurf Vertex CORE with EcoMax infill, total cost $2,776,000 +GST.
July 2021 Hamilton - Act Global Xtreme Turf DXF60 / SBR Infill / Schmitz ProPlay S23D Pad
2020 Ottawa - FieldTurf Core
July 2016 Regina - FieldTurf Revolution 360
May 2015 Edmonton - Shaw Sports Turf PowerBlade Elite 2.5 system with HydroChill (FIFA Approved)
May 2013 Montreal (Percival Molson) - FieldTurf Revolution

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I doubt the Jays would ever try to go that large again. That size is what gave them 20 years of crappy atmosphere when the attendance dropped after the 1994 strike. I think 3 million is the new 4 million for them, especially with all the premium seating they have now compared to the old layout. They topped out in the 52k range in the World Series but their regular season capacity in those days was a shade over 50k. The 8-10k seats they have given up were upper level cheap seats and lower bowl bad sightline seats, as well as unsold empty suites. The seats are also a bit bigger now so that reduced capacity.

I wouldn't be surprised for the playoffs if we see them in the 44-45k range, with the suites and hotel packed and extra outfield district tickets without seats sold. I'm sure they have an unpublished "fire code" capacity of unassigned tickets they can sell and just let people cram in out in party zones that they wouldn't do during the season. I've walked around out there during the season and I think they keep it to a good manageable number, but there is a lot of space still that they could pack it in there for a playoff atmosphere that people would tolerate that they likely wouldn't put up with on a regular game day. You already get enough people floating in and out during the game and then head back to their seats but for playoffs or a World Series, they can really pack the people in out there.

figured this was the better thread to respond, lol.

I was just thinking if they ever actually plan build a new stadium, I hope they'd go with a more classic, open air stadium with a larger capacity. Open air ballparks have a vibe that simply can't be matched in ballpark with a roof...especially in a city with an amazing skyline like Toronto. Plus, snow isn't really much of a concern for the baseball season. SkyDome was built with baseball and football in mind, but a new ballpark would be built for baseball only.

If it does ever come time to build a new ballpark in Toronto, I wonder if they could built it elsewhere in downtown Toronto, and convert SkyDome into a football/soccer specific stadium? 🤔




I guess it could still be difficult within the constraints of the structure, , but maybe?

I really like SkyDome and hope it's never demolished just for a new ballpark to be built on top of the ruins, which I think is still the long term plan for the Blue Jays ownership. Yet, it seems like they could squeeze many more decades out of the ballpark.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Is this rendering still as much as we know about bowl reconfigurations of Olympic Stadium?


Source: Populous + A via https://www.sbp.de/app/uploads/2024/...-2048x1152.jpg

That would be wonderful. I'm still baffled that Montreal did not get any games for the World Cup.

Montreal built the entire Expo 67 site and exhibitions (including building artificial islands that remain today) in like 5 years...

Canada was awarded the World Cup co-host slot like over a decade ago, and Montreal couldn't pull off a football/soccer renovation for Olympic Stadium during that time?

I think it's shameful that Montreal was left out of the mix, as Montreal would have added a unique, French Canadian element to the 2026 World Cup, much like Mexico is adding a unique latino element to the the tournament.

They had enough time time to get it done, but no vision, and no execution.

Personally, I think a football/soccer re-design is the only viable solution for Olympic Stadium. The MLB will probably never accept the return of the Expos to Montreal without a new ballpark, and the Big O is simply far too big for a minor baseball league team, which would be great to see back in Montreal.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

That would be wonderful. I'm still baffled that Montreal did not get any games for the World Cup.

Montreal built the entire Expo 67 site and exhibitions (including building artificial islands that remain today) in like 5 years...

Canada was awarded the World Cup co-host slot like over a decade ago, and Montreal couldn't pull off a football/soccer renovation for Olympic Stadium during that time?

I think it's shameful that Montreal was left out of the mix, as Montreal would have added a unique, French Canadian element to the 2026 World Cup, much like Mexico is adding a unique latino element to the the tournament.

They had enough time time to get it done, but no vision, and no execution.

Personally, I think a football/soccer re-design is the only viable solution for Olympic Stadium. The MLB will probably never accept the return of the Expos to Montreal without a new ballpark, and the Big O is simply far too big for a minor baseball league team, which would be great to see back in Montreal.

Montreal was not left out in the World Cup, they initially wanted to host but had to withdraw because the province didn’t want to pay for it.

[Djeffery]

I mean they just spent hundreds of millions of dollars to make SkyDome not be a football/soccer stadium. Of course they could spend millions more to convert it into only a soccer/football stadium if there was a reason to. They'll never make it NFL suitable, about 10,000 seats too few for that. And BMO seems to serve the purpose now for soccer and football, so I'm not really sure what the point of renovating SkyDome into that again would be.

I believe the plan was that the Jays would be into something new mid to late 2030's, not sure if that will still be Rogers' plan or not after they have seen how well the renovations have been received. They can stay there as long as it suits them and makes them the money. Off the top of my head, there are only 5 older MLB parks and one of them is in the early stages of planning to be replaced (KC). The Jays are really in the perfect location, it's going to be hard to come up with something as perfectly located as that. But short of another pandemic, I can't see them vacating for 2 or 3 seasons to demolish and rebuild on that site. But then again, who would have thought 2 other teams would play in AAA parks long term like the Rays and especially the A's, so who knows. I do believe Toronto needs a roof. Its not about snow, it's about rain. Doesn't have to be a closed environment like the dome is now, but at least sheltered, like Seattle.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

and convert SkyDome into a football/soccer specific stadium?

The answer would be no. TFC will not play on artificial turf and the cost of growing turf indoors would be prohibitive as the Jays already studied it and did not move forward.

Also the SkyDome is too big for their needs and the seating is not optimal for rectilinear sports.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

Montreal was not left out in the World Cup, they initially wanted to host but had to withdraw because the province didn’t want to pay for it.

Same for Chicago. Both pulled out of the running early as they realized the costs (especially security) would be outrageous

[elly63]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Canada was awarded the World Cup co-host slot like over a decade ago

Not true

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Personally, I think a football/soccer re-design is the only viable solution for Olympic Stadium. The MLB will probably never accept the return of the Expos to Montreal without a new ballpark, and the Big O is simply far too big for a minor baseball league team, which would be great to see back in Montreal.

Baseball will never be played there as the configuration will be rectilinear after the refurb. Don't look for regular season football or soccer either, there could possibly be early/late season games or winter friendlies.

Just read an article on BC Place, apparently they are successful enough that they could lose the Whitecaps who are talking about a new stadium and get along ok. It got me to thinking Olympic Stadium could do ok as well without a major tenant.