New Downtown Calgary Arena - Page 34

Innersoul1 · #**661** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 8:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cage

There is absolutely no chance of a combined NHL/CFL stadium. The metrics are just too different (just look at the original Heritage Classic in Edmonton, the rink was swimming in extra floor space).

Two teams would require two stadiums. There could be coordinated parking and LRT access, as well as coordinated office space. However where this has been tried there is massive amounts of space required for parking purposes (ie believe New Jersey Giants stadium is a good example).

Ultimately the Calgary Flames are looking to coordinate and consolidate the back office functions and marketing departments. Also, there are some public rumors the flames were offered the share rights as one Stampeders owner wanted to sell and there were no other buyers.

LOL

Obviously, it wouldn't be one venue for both sports. It would be a sportsplex that would contain a NHL arena and a separate CFL/Soccer pitch.

Calgarian · #**662** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 8:54 PM**

I definitely prefer it to be downtown, but if that was not an option, I would support Firepark.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #**663** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I definitely prefer it to be downtown, but if that was not an option, I would support Firepark.

i agree. outside of downtown, i think this might be the lesser of all the evils. it is still close to downtown and not stuck on the fringe somewhere, has existing c-train access and very close to the major artery in the city. it has lots of pros if you look outside of the downtown box.

Bigtime · #**664** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:02 PM**

I refuse to look outside the downtown box.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #**665** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I refuse to look outside the downtown box.

don't speak with a full mouth of latte, it's rude.

eggbert · #**666** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:11 PM**

A new downtown arena is the only way to go! I'm positive the Flames see it that way too. Who do you think are going to fill all of those new boxes they want to put in the new arena? It will be downtown corporate Calgary for the vast majority.

MonctonGoldenFlames · #**667** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggbert

A new downtown arena is the only way to go! I'm positive the Flames see it that way too. Who do you think are going to fill all of those new boxes they want to put in the new arena? It will be downtown corporate Calgary for the vast majority.

correct me if i'm wrong, but are you implying that corporate calgary won't buy boxes if the arena is not downtown?

DizzyEdge · #**668** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me&You

I would have ZERO interest in attending Flames games at Firepark. It's hard enough to get interested in them lately, but at least you can make a "night out" out of it by wandering down 17th / 1st / to DT to drown sorrows after the games. Since I'm a $8 cab ride away from the 'Dome, I'm sure my opinion is very YIMBY-ish, but I cannot think of any positives to come from locating the new rink at FP.

Definitely the 'middle of nowhere' (retail wise) applies to Firepark. For it to really work you'd want the area to be at least some sort of a destination on non-game days.

Me&You · #**669** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 9:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Definitely the 'middle of nowhere' (retail wise) applies to Firepark. For it to really work you'd want the area to be at least some sort of a destination on non-game days.

Which would realistically take a decade to get some traction and even longer, if ever, before it's a viable destination. Boooo-urrns

Edit - I can see the appeal of Firepark for certain applications. It would be a great spot for a Quarry Park or similar office park, with 4-5 buildings in the 5 storey range. But as a destination for any sort of "fun"... no.

Innersoul1 · #**670** Posted **Apr 3, 2012, 10:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggbert

A new downtown arena is the only way to go! I'm positive the Flames see it that way too. Who do you think are going to fill all of those new boxes they want to put in the new arena? It will be downtown corporate Calgary for the vast majority.

I would have to agree with this. Moving to Quarry park would really isolate the arena and stadium. Given that the Flames have been pushing the idea of the fan experience, there really isn't much to service fans who go to the events. The only real plus of Firepark is the size of the land and access to LRT. Having the venue in close proximity to downtown, restaurants and bars is a real plus. I recognize that Firepark isn't as extreme say Kanata for the Senators but I don't think that it's a good fit.

eggbert · #**671** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 12:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenFlames

correct me if i'm wrong, but are you implying that corporate calgary won't buy boxes if the arena is not downtown?

Yes, I think it will have an impact, although I'm sure the bitching by the corporate crowd will end when it comes time to actually purchase tickets. The proximity of the Saddledome to offices, restaurants, drinking establishments, hotels, etc is a huge plus not only to box buying clients but to most of the corporate clients that own seats in the lower bowl. I've asked our HR department, which owns quite a few seats, and they were like no way, it can't leave downtown, no one will go. I think that's a little extreme but I'm sure their response will be a common initial reaction for most of these type of clients.

suburbia · #**672** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 4:37 AM**

I think anchoring the two in a new TOD would be a fantastic idea and would work. There might be other structures in the vicinity that could make sense for redevelopment. Barlow would also get reinvigorated, and it has developed 'some' over the last decades. It is also reasonable access to the airport and a good number of hotel rooms. The project should be larger, though. Maxbell would be across the way, and it is just down the road from the very nicely developing International Avenue (Barlow South becomes 17th Ave). Views would be fantastic.

McMahon's current location could have both also, especially if you include the field off to the South as part of the redevelopment plan. Remember that motel village is being re-done, and maybe they can repatriate the stadium nissan location for something. Am I mistaken of is foothills athletic park also being re-developed? Certainly that train station needs some more work.

Joborule · #**673** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 4:51 AM**

Why Firepark? There should be enough room for both a new arena and stadium north of 12th ave, east of Olympic Way. Just demolish the transit parking garage. Boom, space.

Especially since Ken King seems to imply the new arena is either gonna be on, or right outside of stampede grounds in his latest season ticket holder lunch talks. Think ownership wants to keep it in city centre, which is logical.

I wonder if Flames ownership would want to make a domed stadium rather than a outdoor one, so it can be used as a year round, all purpose venue? If MLS comes to Calgary, football and soccer would be going on for majority of the year, and then during some free time they can turn the venue into a convention centre or concert building.

If this gets done, only baseball would have a lackluster stadium in this city. (Not like it's necessary currently)

suburbia · #**674** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 5:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joborule

in city centre, which is logical.

McMahon is not in the city centre. Do you feel it is illogical?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joborule

I wonder if Flames ownership would want to make a domed stadium rather than a outdoor one, so it can be used as a year round, all purpose venue? If MLS comes to Calgary, football and soccer would be going on for majority of the year, and then during some free time they can turn the venue into a convention centre or concert building.

I actually really hope it is covered. In fact, it would need to be more than just the stadium and arena, but additional convention infrastructure. A hugely important consideration for that to work, though, would be a plan for proximity to a thousand or more hotel rooms (preferably a couple thousand in fact). The current location is a 'fail' for that.

Fully agree that this is an opportunity to have some vision, and not limit. A combined facility (IE integrated / master planned site) including convention centre may interest the city, where as strictly professional sports team venues won't get as much buy in.

TallBob · #**675** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 5:32 AM**

Dwntown (or as close as you can get). All these new venues in US cities are all building DT. With the exception of maybe 2 or 3.

Cage · #**676** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 1:04 PM**

A major reason for advocating Firepark site for new NHL rink is that Flames ownership could control everything (parking, concessions, non-NHL events, etc). If the Flames control everything, there is no requirement for public funds.

Move the Stadium near the Stampede grounds, and either the Stampede association or the Flames (or both organizations) would approach the city and province for funding.

bigcanuck · #**677** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 2:05 PM**

Don't forget that McMahon is owned/operated by U of C - they're a key played in this discussion as well.

stampedeyeehaa · #**678** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 2:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggbert

Yes, I think it will have an impact, although I'm sure the bitching by the corporate crowd will end when it comes time to actually purchase tickets. The proximity of the Saddledome to offices, restaurants, drinking establishments, hotels, etc is a huge plus not only to box buying clients but to most of the corporate clients that own seats in the lower bowl. I've asked our HR department, which owns quite a few seats, and they were like no way, it can't leave downtown, no one will go. I think that's a little extreme but I'm sure their response will be a common initial reaction for most of these type of clients.

I agree, alot of people going to the games just throw a Jersey on and cab/train it then after go back to their nice office parking spot and drive home OR leave the car and get it the next day. Significant impact leaving DT.

Joborule · #**679** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

McMahon is not in the city centre. Do you feel it is illogical?

McMahon was built quite a while back and is a shared facility with the university team. Nowdays it would be best to make professional sporting venues in the heart of the city for numerous reasons; mostly for it's accessible central location from all quadrants and surrounding business/activities. Better being in a large area commercial being city centre rather than a small commercial space like Motel Village.

suburbia · #**680** Posted **Apr 4, 2012, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joborule

Better being in a large area commercial being city centre rather than a small commercial space like Motel Village.

'Motel Village' is being re-developed as a TOD. Additionally, even as is (which is pretty sad) there are more hotel rooms than you have around the Stampede area.