Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[elly63]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

This is built where the current BC Lions training facility is. They have been looking at moving to a new updated facility, I wonder if this helps accelerate that? I think a top notch facility for practice and training goes a long way to the overall perception of the team with players (and potential free agents) and Amar Doman has been pushing for this so I think the Lions will do their part to make this happen. As far as a 10K arena in Surrey, its nice but they don't even have a full time tenant, wonder if the Vancouver Giants or Abby Canucks would move here?

Yes, the training facility plays a big part in player recruitment and retention. Amar Doman who has done almost everything right so far must have been surprised to see the CFLPA's survey which had the Lions ranked second last for their training facility. He then proceeded to make amends.

B.C. Lions commence multi-stage renovation and expansion of existing Surrey practice facility
JC Abbott 3downnation.com July 24, 2025

The B.C. Lions are hard at work preparing for their matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday, but the players haven’t been the only ones breaking a sweat at practice this week.

Construction has begun on a multi-stage renovation and expansion of the team’s practice facility in Surrey, with the end goal of transforming the aging building into what management is calling “a state-of-the-art performance hub.”

The first phase of the project, which began this week, involves the creation of a temporary external structure which will serve as a new high-performance training centre. Once that structure has been built, the team will be able to continue all training and operations without obstruction while efforts are made to upgrade the interior of the facilities.

Phase two will see the construction of a brand-new locker room, enhanced player lounge, and expanded training area. The hope is that these improvements can bring the Lions’ facility up to par with others around the CFL, while sending a message that the team is willing to make long-term investments in support of a first-class player experience.

The Lions have been full-time residents in the Surrey neighbourhood of Whalley for over four decades. They began leasing their current practice facility beside Tom Binnie Park from the city in 1991, which also previously housed the team’s business operations until those moved to downtown Vancouver in 2023.

However, the building and surrounding field space no longer meet the standards required for a professional sports organization. After the artificial turf at Tom Binnie Park failed a CFL quality test last October, the Lions were forced to bus seven minutes up the road to Hjorth Road Park in Guildford while preparing for the end of the regular season and playoffs.

Those challenges contributed to the Lions receiving the second-lowest grade of any team on the inaugural CFLPA report card this offseason. Among the anonymous responses, one player wrote that the staff “does what it can,” but the amenities are “unsatisfactory compared to other teams in the CFL.”

Owner Amar Doman has been vocal about his desire to fund the construction of a new practice facility somewhere in the Lower Mainland, with team president Duane Vienneau telling 3DownNation in May that there were active conversations ongoing regarding several different possibilities. Sources indicate that the planned renovation will not be in lieu of a new facility, but will serve as a necessary stopgap in the interim.

Because the current facility is owned by the City of Surrey, the scope of the renovations the Lions can accomplish is limited. Two and a half years remain on the five-year lease extension the club signed in 2022, which included a 33 percent discount on rent thanks to a partnering agreement for community involvement.

Either side can sever the existing agreement with a 12-month written notice, but that requires a viable alternative. The team is on the hook for over $1.39 million through 2027 to maintain the status quo, and Doman’s new investment in the facility will make lasting to the end of that deal more comfortable for players.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by elly63

Let's face it with or without the CFL, Halifax hasn't come near anything remotely close to Moncton and I think it's because they lack a visionary and go getter like Moncton had at that time.

I am not sure these narratives hold up when you look at the history.

Moncton hosted the 2010 IAAF World Juniors and built a stadium which according to Wikipedia cost $17M.

In 2011, Halifax hosted the Canada Winter Games and built the Canada Games Centre for $45M (the Emera Oval is from the same games). It's no less ambitious than what Moncton hosted.

Neither of these two examples were for or resulted in a CFL team. Both cities have held Touchdown Atlantic although I think Moncton had more issues with ticket sales. And since then Halifax has gotten the Wanderers stadium and CPL team while Moncton did not. Halifax used to have Huskies Stadium going back to the 70's or so. I think it was partly dismantled around the 2000's but temporary seating was added at times.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by someone123

I am not sure these narratives hold up when you look at the history.

Moncton hosted the 2010 IAAF World Juniors and built a stadium which according to Wikipedia cost $17M.

In 2011, Halifax hosted the Canada Winter Games and built the Canada Games Centre for $45M (the Emera Oval is from the same games). It's no less ambitious than what Moncton hosted.

Neither of these two examples were for or resulted in a CFL team. Both cities have held Touchdown Atlantic although I think Moncton had more issues with ticket sales. And since then Halifax has gotten the Wanderers stadium and CPL team while Moncton did not.

I'm looking at this through the stadium not facilities lens, after all Moncton built an arena too. And I did say the Moncton stadium wasn't built for the CFL.

Moncton may have issues because they were trying to sell 20k seats instead of 11k like Halifax and Wolfville. Moncton had 20k (2x) 15k and 10k. Halifax had 11k (2x) and 10k.

I'm not sure how either Moncton or Halifax can be lauded or criticized because one of them had an owner step forward. It's not like the city owns the team. And essentially to compare THG to the Moncton stadium is unfair as one is temp bleachers and shipping containers while the other is a permanent structure.



Although I may be non purposely comparing Moncton to Halifax it is really not my intention. I am really trying to say that it seems Halifax has been dragging its feet on this issue. If they choose to spend big money on this it will have to for the community and no longer exclusively the Wanderers. The turf surface will have to be replaced with artificial turf and a bubble will be needed as winter cover so the facility can be used in the 320 days (source Derek Martin) when the Wanderers aren't using it.

[Calgarian]

Is there a tenant in mind for this new Surrey arena?

[someone123]

Originally Posted by elly63

I'm looking at this through the stadium not facilities lens, after all Moncton built an arena too.

Moncton did build an arena but it's smaller than the one built in Halifax 40 years earlier.

Originally Posted by elly63

Although I may be non purposely comparing Moncton to Halifax it is really not my intention. I am really trying to say that it seems Halifax has been dragging its feet on this issue. If they choose to spend big money on this it will have to for the community and no longer exclusively the Wanderers. The turf surface will have to be replaced with artificial turf and a bubble will be needed as winter cover so the facility can be used in the 320 days (source Derek Martin) when the Wanderers aren't using it.

I'm not sure the issue is well defined. The municipality is considering expanding for the Wanderers. I do think it might be as mistake to spend $100M+ on the stadium but not get something expandable to CFL standards. I also think the municipality is simultaneously not very focused yet also has tunnel-vision in some ways. The stadium study is about what to do with the arbitrary triangle of land, considering all the uses there. But maybe they should be asking what is really most valuable to the region and if a 20,000 seat stadium would more meaningfully add to the city's amenities. The public benefit of that would be much much higher than lawn bowling or an equestrian club for 0.01% of the population.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by someone123

Moncton did build an arena but it's smaller than the one built in Halifax 40 years earlier.

Man you're really stretching it there

I'm not sure the issue is well defined. The municipality is considering expanding for the Wanderers. I do think it might be as mistake to spend $100M+ on the stadium but not get something expandable to CFL standards. I also think the municipality is simultaneously not very focused yet also has tunnel-vision in some ways. The stadium study is about what to do with the arbitrary triangle of land, considering all the uses there. But maybe they should be asking what is really most valuable to the region and if a 20,000 seat stadium would more meaningfully add to the city's amenities. The public benefit of that would be much much higher than lawn bowling or an equestrian club for 0.01% of the population.

And this is where we come full circle and totally agree

[J.OT13]

More renderings of Lansdowne 2.0's arena and stands.















That space behind the stands is shown as open with some pedestrian space and surface parking, but documents suggest it will be an "innovative" parking garage built by the developer that bid on the air rights for two apartment towers on the site of the current Civic Centre.







More images here: https://engage.ottawa.ca/lansdowne-2...6/photos/42352

[elly63]

We don't know how close the CFL may have come to Halifax and I'm not talking about that group that should be forgotten history. I'm talking about Rob Steele and have posted extensively on it but for some reason nobody here and/or publicly wants to talk about it.

When the Alouettes were for sale there were several bidders and because of the strengths that Pierre Karl Peladeau brought to the table (and his multi billion bank account) the others instantly fell by the wayside.

Now coulda, shoulda, woulda, nothing happened and no press did one bit of reporting on the story to confirm or deny Steele's interest or non interest. There was enough circumstantial evidence to at least follow up on.

I'm saying this to say until there is an owner there's no CFL story but it could happen and things could progress quickly after that.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

More renderings of Lansdowne 2.0's arena and stands. More images here

Doesn't look like there's anything new. That wood grained metal siding, I wonder what that will look like in real life.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by elly63

Doesn't look like there's anything new. That wood grained metal siding, I wonder what that will look like in real life.

I was gonna say. Very plain jane compared to some of the other new-newish CFL stadiums like Princess Auto or Mosiac

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by elly63

Doesn't look like there's anything new. That wood grained metal siding, I wonder what that will look like in real life.

We have wood looking metal ceilings in some of our O-Train stations that look really good. Don't know if it will be a similar material and how it would translate to such a massive scale.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

I was gonna say. Very plain jane compared to some of the other new-newish CFL stadiums like Princess Auto or Mosiac

I am sure it will look fine and be fine when it is completed they almost always do.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by someone123

Moncton did build an arena but it's smaller than the one built in Halifax 40 years earlier.
.

Not significantly (8,800 seats vs 10,000 seats). The building is large enough for 10,000 seats, but the city chickened out and opted for larger seats and resulting decreased capacity to save money and improve fan experience. I can't say they were wrong. The Wildcats only sell the place out several times per year. The issue is really when the facility is used for concerts. These are frequently sold out.

Having the Avenir Centre makes it easier for touring acts to plan to visit the Maritimes. Almost everything that plays at the Scotia Bank Arena also comes to the Avenir Centre. As such, the lower capacity at the Avenir Centre hasn't been a hindrance, but I still wish they had stuck with 10,000. It's such a nice round number.

[Coldrsx]

Saskatoon City Council defers decision on $1B Downtown District Event Centre and Convention Centre



https://retail-insider.com/retail-in...-images-video/

[GreatTallNorth2]

It's crazy to think what Saskatoon is spending downtown on an arena and convention centre. That is some serious cash. Seems Saskatoon and Regina are much more ambitious than a lot of the Ontario cities that have greater populations. Maybe it is a combination of Ontario being so "Toronto-centric" and the smaller cities thinking they have to be less ambitious "because we are not Toronto". I compare London as the Grand Rapids type city. Grand Rapids is 2.5 hours from Detroit and London is similar distance to Toronto. Yet Grand Rapids is far more ambitious with building attractions, sports facilities, etc.

[EpicPonyTime]

Me thinks the reason they are deferring the decision is because they don’t want to spend that kind of money. That’s a MAJOR price increase over the $500 million that has been thrown around for the new arena. I don’t think there’s an appetite from voters to spend a billion on this.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Not significantly (8,800 seats vs 10,000 seats). The building is large enough for 10,000 seats, but the city chickened out and opted for larger seats and resulting decreased capacity to save money and improve fan experience. I can't say they were wrong. The Wildcats only sell the place out several times per year. The issue is really when the facility is used for concerts. These are frequently sold out.

Well, the point is that while it's a nice facility for Moncton, it wouldn't make sense for Halifax to build something comparable as it already exists there. Hence it's not a good example of Moncton being more ambitious.

The stadium situation is likewise not directly analogous. The Moncton stadium with its track is probably not a step along the path to getting the CFL, and Halifax has built other stuff (like the Canada Games Centre around the same time; both cities landed different sporting events and built different infrastructure to suit them).

I'm just talking about the idea that Halifax is behind or somehow incapable of building Moncton-level infrastructure which pops up every so often in these discussions. Moncton built a $17M stadium and Halifax said no to a $150M+ stadium. It's not really comparable.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by someone123

Well, the point is that while it's a nice facility for Moncton, it wouldn't make sense for Halifax to build something comparable as it already exists there. Hence it's not a good example of Moncton being more ambitious.

The stadium situation is likewise not directly analogous. The Moncton stadium with its track is probably not a step along the path to getting the CFL, and Halifax has built other stuff (like the Canada Games Centre around the same time; both cities landed different sporting events and built different infrastructure to suit them).

I'm just talking about the idea that Halifax is behind or somehow incapable of building Moncton-level infrastructure which pops up every so often in these discussions. Moncton built a $17M stadium and Halifax said no to a $150M+ stadium. It's not really comparable.

Yeah, that stadium in Moncton doesn't look like it is any advantage over Halifax for a future team. If Moncton got a team, there isn't anything they would improve on with that stadium, they would start fresh, there or elsewhere.

[Echoes]

Saskatoon City Council is likely still a couple years away from making a go-ahead decision on the project. What they just deferred is a decision on the deal with their prospective private partner and future facility operator, Oak View Group. I think the deferral is a negotiating ploy to nudge OVG to sweeten the deal.

The funding plan for the project assumes considerable dollars from the feds and province, which are not committed yet. Signals from the province suggest they'll come to the table, but the feds will be a tough sell. Fed funding is not expected for the arena, so the angle is to get their commitment to funding portions of the convention centre and city-building/downtown revitalization infrastructure aspects of the project.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

It's crazy to think what Saskatoon is spending downtown on an arena and convention centre. That is some serious cash. Seems Saskatoon and Regina are much more ambitious than a lot of the Ontario cities that have greater populations. Maybe it is a combination of Ontario being so "Toronto-centric" and the smaller cities thinking they have to be less ambitious "because we are not Toronto". I compare London as the Grand Rapids type city. Grand Rapids is 2.5 hours from Detroit and London is similar distance to Toronto. Yet Grand Rapids is far more ambitious with building attractions, sports facilities, etc.

Part of it is that Saskatoon and Regina are the two primate cities in SK and each serve massive rural hinterlands as the urban service centres.

So an arena project in Saskatoon is about building an amenity not just for Saskatoon, but basically all of Saskatchewan. That's still only 1.3M people, but given our isolation Saskatoon is the only place that's going to have this sort of thing for a vast expanse of area. This isolation and being the only show around is why the city punches above its weight on certain things relative to its size, like its dining scene or having an incomprehensibly world-class art gallery.