Lansdowne Park Redevelopment Phase 1 | Completed

[concernedottawa]

Due process allows the careful examination of alternatives within the parameters
of the agreed development principles of Stadium, Green Space, Retail Model and
Management Model.

To support the current sole source means agreeing to subsidize narrow private interests
with, in this case, a taxpayer loss of $324M ( the cost is much higher ) and the loss
of public land ( the land was deeded for public use and enjoyment ).

The sole source proposal would not withstand an open and competitive process.

Far superior models that benefit the taxpayer are available and will meet the
agreed guiding principles and more importantly the guiding principles of public procurement,
namely in the best interests of the taxpayer, and keep the site publicly owned
and for the benefit of the public.

On a decision that will be precedent setting if allowed to proceed unchallenged
the matter requires careful examination.

It is of great public importance for those concerned about such things.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by concernedottawa

Due process allows the careful examination of alternatives within the parameters
of the agreed development principles of Stadium, Green Space, Retail Model and
Management Model.

To support the current sole source means agreeing to subsidize narrow private interests
with, in this case, a taxpayer loss of $324M ( the cost is much higher ) and the loss
of public land ( the land was deeded for public use and enjoyment ).

The sole source proposal would not withstand an open and competitive process.

Far superior models that benefit the taxpayer are available and will meet the
agreed guiding principles and more importantly the guiding principles of public procurement,
namely in the best interests of the taxpayer, and keep the site publicly owned
and for the benefit of the public.

On a decision that will be precedent setting if allowed to proceed unchallenged
the matter requires careful examination.

It is of great public importance for those concerned about such things.

Hmmm, is this some sort of special bureaucratic language? I can't really tell how this relates to stadium configuration.

[jchamoun79]

Originally Posted by phil235

For those of you not about to be banned from this site (again), does anyone know what the configuration of the stadium will be for soccer? Are they planning movable seating behind the nets to make the stadium more intimate, or will the ends be open?

I don't know, but as long as they remove the football (gridiron) lines for soccer matches at the stadium, I'll be happy.

[JeffB]

Originally Posted by jchamoun79

I don't know, but as long as they remove the football (gridiron) lines for soccer matches at the stadium, I'll be happy.

If you will indulge me for a moment, why is it so important for soccer fans that the gridiron lines are not there during soccer games? Football fans (at least in Canada) don't seem to mind if the soccer lines are on the field.

I'm not trying to criticize, but I'm just curious as to why that is.

[archie-tect]

The end zone seating and intimacy for soccer is an interesting challenge for a CFL field. BC Place seems to do it best with retractable seating and the soccer tent (very cool). Not really sure what would happen at Lansdowne, but I would imagine that intimacy would be an issue for the field and the stands given the capacity and the crowds typically associated with NASL (MLS 2)

[JeffB]

Originally Posted by archie-tect

The end zone seating and intimacy for soccer is an interesting challenge for a CFL field. BC Place seems to do it best with retractable seating and the soccer tent (very cool). Not really sure what would happen at Lansdowne, but I would imagine that intimacy would be an issue for the field and the stands given the capacity and the crowds typically associated with NASL (MLS 2)

Capital City FC (who played in 2011 at Terry Fox Stadium) had a VIP section in behind one of the goals. It was set up with tables and chairs and a caterer, and people often rearranged the chairs to get a better view of the field. So the NASL team could do that in one end, and perhaps have some portable bleachers in the other.

As far as the grandstands goes, they could use tarps over the top half of the seating areas, bringing the capacity down towards 10K instead of 22K. It is done in a number of AHL arenas where the capacity far outweighs demand. Still on the big side for NASL, but could create some intimacy.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by JeffB

Capital City FC (who played in 2011 at Terry Fox Stadium) had a VIP section in behind one of the goals. It was set up with tables and chairs and a caterer, and people often rearranged the chairs to get a better view of the field. So the NASL team could do that in one end, and perhaps have some portable bleachers in the other.

As far as the grandstands goes, they could use tarps over the top half of the seating areas, bringing the capacity down towards 10K instead of 22K. It is done in a number of AHL arenas where the capacity far outweighs demand. Still on the big side for NASL, but could create some intimacy.

I wondered how tarps would work in a stadium like that. I think that the curtains really work quite well for the 67s in Scotiabank Place, but in a more open environment I wonder whether they could do the same thing. The tarps the Argos use in Skydome do make a fair bit of difference.

Provided that the CFL team is fine with having people on the turf, or they put a temporary floor in, the restaurant/bar section is probably the way to go. It's not quite the same as having the Ultras behind the goal, but it is good to have people there in general.

[jchamoun79]

Originally Posted by JeffB

If you will indulge me for a moment, why is it so important for soccer fans that the gridiron lines are not there during soccer games? Football fans (at least in Canada) don't seem to mind if the soccer lines are on the field.

I'm not trying to criticize, but I'm just curious as to why that is.

For me, gridiron lines are visually distracting, as they cover virtually every inch of the field. Soccer matches played on a gridiron-marked pitch look bush league and are almost unwatchable.

Soccer line markings, on the other hand, are much less obtrusive, as they consist of a rectangle around the pitch, a centre circle and some boxes around the goals. You can usually barely even see them amid the gridiron lines.

[GlassCity]

Personally, I don't like soccer lines on football fields either. Like jchamoun79 said, it looks bush.

[Radster]

I think they should just install temporary bleachers, standing room only, behind one of the goals during soccer matches, and have the Ultras stationed there. Easy to install, cheap investment and the Ultras will be visible to the entire North and South stand crowds, thus leading the chants from a perfect position. Make it about 500 capacity. It will be perfect for the Ultras because the material of temporary bleachers can help in a lot of noise production (ie. stomping feet on the aluminum) to boost the effects of the Ultras' presence at soccer games. And if it fills up regularly, increase to 1000.

As for attendance at soccer games. I think that Ottawa can manage to keep attendance above 10K easily for NASL, on some days against rival teams like Edmonton or league playoffs they can attract over 15K, and attain capacity crowds during the Canadian Championship when they will play against TFC, Whitecaps, Impact and Edmonton. So the issue of a tarp to cover some unused seats I think is not that important, afterall, this won't be a 30K+ stadium.

[JFFournier]

Interesting to some perhaps, but the Ottawa Sun Twitter feed in regards to the Horticulture Building pointed out that some of the more outstanding features from the Coliseum are being kept.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by JFFournier

Interesting to some perhaps, but the Ottawa Sun Twitter feed in regards to the Horticulture Building pointed out that some of the more outstanding features from the Coliseum are being kept.

And again; too bad they didn't at least keep the Coliseum`s façade. It was way nicer than the damn Horticulture.

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by JeffB

If you will indulge me for a moment, why is it so important for soccer fans that the gridiron lines are not there during soccer games? Football fans (at least in Canada) don't seem to mind if the soccer lines are on the field.

I'm not trying to criticize, but I'm just curious as to why that is.

My understanding is that for a field to have a FIFA certification (or whatever they call it) there can not be other non soccer lines on it. It must also either be grass or field turf. No astro turf (not that anyone uses that anymore)

There is apparently types of removable paint that is now made to accommodate this. Obviously it is more work.

[Cre47]

I'm pretty sure at least 90% of this city are annoyed by this guy.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/11/05/john-martin-defends-lansdowne-action

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

My understanding is that for a field to have a FIFA certification (or whatever they call it) there can not be other non soccer lines on it. It must also either be grass or field turf

Not accurate----Matt Anthony Field has Field Turf , has lines for both football and soccer and it has FIFA certification.

The new field at Lees avenue has lines for both soccer and football and the university is applying for FIFA cetification for it.
This field is not Field Turf , but some other new brand of artificial turf, which name escapes me.

[Zach6668]

Originally Posted by Cre47

I'm pretty sure at least 90% of this city are annoyed by this guy.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/11/05/john-martin-defends-lansdowne-action

According to the poll in that article, only 56% think he should give up his fight.

[c_speed3108]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

Not accurate----Matt Anthony Field has Field Turf , has lines for both football and soccer and it has FIFA certification.

The new field at Lees avenue has lines for both soccer and football and the university is applying for FIFA cetification for it.
This field is not Field Turf , but some other new brand of artificial turf, which name escapes me.

Interesting. This made me go digging. There is one star and two star ratings. Matt Anthony is one star as are most in Canada. There are a few two stars. I was looking at some pictures at the University of Guelph's new field and it does appear to have other markings. The spec still seemed picky about advertising and such, so perhaps they reduced the requirement to get more fields and expand soccer to more places or something.

I had originally heard this back when they were talking about the soccer stadium out by Scotiabank place.

Conclusion: You are correct, there can be other markings on the field.

[nredding]

Floor plans and pricing for the condos are available at http://www.minto.com/buy-a-condo-in-ottawa/Lansdowne/collections.html

[JFFournier]

Brisk early business for the condos, it would appear.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/11/07/lansdowne-park-condo-buying-hopefuls-hit-the-jackpot

The public definitely appears to be buying in to the concept. Fifty condo units were purchased through a lottery system on Wednesday — after 60 had already been sold at an advance “friends and family” event last week.

The condos are expected to be completed by the fall of 2014.

The doors to the Minto office at Fifth Ave. Court opened at 11 a.m. with more than 100 people — all of whom had preregistered — anxiously waiting.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

So who is going to buy me a condo overlooking the field as a Christmas present?