Stadiums and Arenas of Canada

[elly63]

Jays turf Argos in favour of grass playing surface at Rogers Centre
TOM MALONEY The Globe and Mail Sep. 09 2013

Installing a grass baseball field at Rogers Centre would be problematic but not impossible, experts said.

“Nothing’s impossible. Everything can be engineered … but it’s not as simple as trucking in dirt and laying sod down,” said Steve Schiedel, vice-president of Greenhorizons Group of Farms Ltd., a Cambridge, Ont.-based company that installed a temporary grass field in Rogers Centre during the summer of 2010, for a pair of soccer matches.

Because Rogers Centre is surrounded symmetrically by high walls to support the retractable roof, special lighting may be required to stimulate grass growth. But the biggest hurdle is lack of drainage.

“It’s an indoor facility that can be opened, as opposed to an outdoor facility that can be closed,” Stephen Brooks, the team’s senior vice-president, business operations, told The Globe and Mail earlier this year.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Despite being at a historical nadir, the Argos still have a superior average attendance to the Raptors.

Regarding television ratings, the Argos absolutely crush the Raptors.

Take the week of last year's season opening game for the Raptors:

NBA (Season Opener)

IND-TOR, Oct 31, TSN: 346, 000

CFL (Regular Season)

TOR-SSK, Oct 27, TSN: 1.026 million

And let's just throw in that week's NFL ratings for fun:

NFL

NO-DEN, Oct 28, TSN: 339, 000
NYG-DAL, Oct 28, Citytv: 508, 000
SF-ARZ, Oct 29, TSN: 396, 000

And in case you thought the numbers improved for the Raptors as the season progressed, they didn't. They got a lot worse:

NBA

TOR-BRK, Nov 3 SN: 185, 000
TOR-OKC, Nov 6, TSN: 91, 000

All numbers are BBM Canada 2+

Source

Somebody should give these numbers to the buffoons on Prime Time Sports. According to them, Basketball is having a huge upswing in Canada and the Raptors are riding that wave, MLS and TFC are broadcast juggernaughts and the supports of the Argos are old men and the entire fanbase can fit into a phone booth!
It is like the media in Toronto is doing everything possible to knock down and kill the Argos.
Newsflash morons, the NFL is never, ever, ever coming to establish a team in Canada. Why have another Raptors/Blue Jays losers whos TV numbers and name recognition in the USA is zero, nothing, nada! The NFL has the best of everything right now in Canada. They invest, what, about a million dollars in advertising and reap multimillions back because Canadians are buying their merchandise and betting on their games. It's win win for them right now. Why establish a problem when you already have the cow giving you free milk!

Here is a link to Prime Time Sports.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/590/prime-time-sports/

[thurmas]

Vanriderfan sportsnet bashes the cfl because it doesn't have cfl tv rights which would bring in far more viewers than the lousy blue jays would. They are stuck with the blue jays and they are just envious of tsn.

[Allan83]

Originally Posted by Ramako

I don't think I'd characterize it as "struggling".

The Raptors' lowest yearly attendance has never been below the league's average attendance, and that's despite being a perpetually awful team. For example, last year their attendance ranked 13th out of 30 teams despite missing the playoffs for the fifth year in a row. When they're winning, they have one of the best attendance figures in the league.

And this year the Jays' attendance ranks 15th out of 30 teams, representing a 20% increase over last year's attendance.

The attendance has nothing to do with being downtown and everything to do with the fans' perception of the competitiveness of the teams.

Official attendance figures for almost all Toronto sports teams, including the Argos, are notoriously unreliable. This seems to be part of the media culture there. I watch the odd Raptors game on television, and the place will be literally half empty but the announced attendance will be between 17,000 to 18,000. The Jays have been doing this for years as well. I remember watching games where there were maybe 13 – 15 thousand fans, and the announced attendance would be 22,000. There are also lots of freebees floating around and $2 Tuesdays and other cheap promotions. The Jays used to lose tens of millions per year, but since they bought their stadium for peanuts I think they’ve been able to cut those losses back. If it weren’t for that stadium deal, however, I don’t think the team would be viable. I don’t think Rogers could have gone on taking the losses they were taking.

W.r.t. the Raptors, just a year or two ago they made big cuts to their ticket prices to boost attendance. I don’t believe for a second that the actual paid attendance has increased since then. I see they’re boosting ticket prices again this year, but my guess is that they’re just trying to get the most money from the fans they have.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=raptors+l...endance&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2013/03/12/raptors_ticket_prices_to_increase_next_season.html

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Somebody should give these numbers to the buffoons on Prime Time Sports. According to them, Basketball is having a huge upswing in Canada and the Raptors are riding that wave, MLS and TFC are broadcast juggernaughts and the supports of the Argos are old men and the entire fanbase can fit into a phone booth!

You must be listening to a different PTS to me then - McCown hates soccer and bashes TFC any chance he can

[elly63]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

You must be listening to a different PTS to me then - McCown hates soccer and bashes TFC any chance he can

I've been through this before with the soccer people. This is all the Bobcat's schtick to suck in the soccer people, like the guy here who trolls to piss off the CFL fans.

McCown doesn't hate soccer, he played in school, like many of us, and enjoyed it (straight from his lips). He also did colour commentary with the old NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He knows enough about what is going on today so he can keep up with his schtick and act stupid.

He's foremost a traditionalist, but he hides it better than Don Cherry. He's articulated his reasoning for 30 years why you won't see the NFL in Toronto and has a long standing bet with Paul Godfrey or was it Tannenbaum that it won't happen. I think he has a soft spot for the Argos (having grown up in their heyday) but because the Argos are TSN property he follows the Sportsnet party line and ignores them (there has been some discussion of late re the situation with the RC and BMO/MLSE).

[elly63]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

You must be listening to a different PTS to me then - McCown hates soccer and bashes TFC any chance he can

TFC's own fans are doing that, the honeymoon is definitely OVER

I used to be a regular PTS listener until I got tired of the same guests over and over, but TFC hardly gets a mention. It's mostly Leafs (ubiquitous) and Jays (Rogers' property) another reason why I got out of the habit of listening. Same old, same old.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

You don't need to tell me about it - I had 4 seats for the first 5 seasons - went on the road to see them in Montreal, Boston, NY, Columbus, Chicago and Kansas City.

I can barely spend any time watching them on TV

[elly63]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

You don't need to tell me about it - I had 4 seats for the first 5 seasons - went on the road to see them in Montreal, Boston, NY, Columbus, Chicago and Kansas City.

I can barely spend any time watching them on TV

Typical MLSE, make money, have a loser franchise.

I'm not a founding member of the Vs (but damn close) and have been following soccer for 40 years, I've just about seen it all. Aside from participation levels, I just don't see the growth that other people seem to. Same with basketball. I grew up in the 70s playing both. We played in the schools, but people act like there is some sort of boom in both. People have always played soccer and basketball, perhaps the way of counting those participation numbers has changed as there are now leagues that exist outside of schools.

Curling on TV still kicks basketball, soccer and baseball's ass. It's as if we grow up experimenting with other sports and come back to the tried and true traditions. By the by, curling is one of the highest rated Winter Olympic sports. Was number one in Australia at the last Olympics (must be all the hotties and cougars)

Prime Time Sports - September 20 - 6 pm
Good discussion of Argos in Toronto but I find the guys are always slightly behind in their knowledge of the latest news. They do postulate something I've said and that's if the CFL could survive without the Argos. We both agree that it could and Friedman? stated something I agree with that it might even help Hamilton. Also stated was the irrelevance in this age of new technology of the large Toronto mainstream media to the league. Aside from TSN, what media outlets in the GTA are actually helping the CFL? So who needs 'em?

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by elly63

Prime Time Sports - September 20 - 6 pm
Good discussion of Argos in Toronto but I find the guys are always slightly behind in their knowledge of the latest news. They do postulate something I've said and that's if the CFL could survive without the Argos. We both agree that it could and Friedman? stated something I agree with that it might even help Hamilton. Also stated was the irrelevance in this age of new technology of the large Toronto mainstream media to the league. Aside from TSN, what media outlets in the GTA are actually helping the CFL? So who needs 'em?

For television, not many.

I mainly pay attention to Hamilton media and not much has changed - the requisite stuff from radio (CHML) and local TV (CHCH) and of course The Spec's coverage which has the most depth, though they sometimes miss a good story. But I've been really surprised with the Toronto Sun's coverage of the CFL. They've had some great write-ups this year, and covered the Tiger-Cats a fair bit as well (scooping a few good stories from Edwards and Milton at The Spec).

I haven't listened to the podcast yet - did Friedman say why he thought a no-Argo CFL could help Hamilton? I can think of reasons why it would, and the rivalry is not what it used to be, but still believe having two teams in central S. Ontario is better than one.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Why would the feds help pay for a new stadium in Toronto? Every other city will have their hands out if that happens.

I wonder the same thing. And cities that didn't get Fed funding for large sports facilities will be damn pissed.

With an election coming up in 2015 we'll probably see a lot of "strategic" money flows... "Canada's Economic Action Plan, Part XX" or however they will brand it. It will be interesting to see whether they reverse their course on certain types of funding, or continue to play the same games they have.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by elly63

Prime Time Sports - September 20 - 6 pm
Good discussion of Argos in Toronto but I find the guys are always slightly behind in their knowledge of the latest news. They do postulate something I've said and that's if the CFL could survive without the Argos. We both agree that it could and Friedman? stated something I agree with that it might even help Hamilton. Also stated was the irrelevance in this age of new technology of the large Toronto mainstream media to the league. Aside from TSN, what media outlets in the GTA are actually helping the CFL? So who needs 'em?

I listened to that section. First as soon as they mentioned Argos/CFL they chuckled. Does the Toronto media chuckle when they start a segment with the Raptors, Blue Jays or TFC start a segment? No. And that is the issue, because those franchises get the benefit of the doubt by the media. Argos/CFL get no benefit. They get dismissed on the git go. But the other franchises get benefit and they build them up!

It al makes no sense!

[logan5]

Originally Posted by elly63

.
Curling on TV still kicks basketball, soccer and baseball's ass. It's as if we grow up experimenting with other sports and come back to the tried and true traditions. By the by, curling is one of the highest rated Winter Olympic sports. Was number one in Australia at the last Olympics (must be all the hotties and cougars)

I would say the laws of supply and demand apply to sports as well. Curling is seldom shown on TV, at least compared to other sports so there is a pent up demand for some curling events, the result is high ratings. Put curling on 82 times a year and the ratings would go way down. Same with CFL games.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

I listened to that section. First as soon as they mentioned Argos/CFL they chuckled. Does the Toronto media chuckle when they start a segment with the Raptors, Blue Jays or TFC start a segment? No. And that is the issue, because those franchises get the benefit of the doubt by the media. Argos/CFL get no benefit. They get dismissed on the git go. But the other franchises get benefit and they build them up!

It al makes no sense!

Media personalities also have to play nice with the other franchises or they could see their access to the Leafs cut down.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by logan5

I would say the laws of supply and demand apply to sports as well. Curling is seldom shown on TV, at least compared to other sports so there is a pent up demand for some curling events, the result is high ratings. Put curling on 82 times a year and the ratings would go way down. Same with CFL games.

Every CFL game is televised and the ratings are very strong in Canada relative to other sports.

[Chadillaccc]

An incredible photo of Investors Group Field!

Originally Posted by Cyrodill

Not worried about the 3.5 million cost over run, I'm sure others will make sure I realize it is unacceptable but I love this picture.


Source

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Whoa! That's a major league stadium.

[elly63]

City of Ottawa
September 23, 2013

- At the north stands, the contractor has begun installing the bases, and next week will begin to install the seats. It will take a couple of months to install all the seats.
- The old concrete floor in the upper concourse is being removed as part of the renovations to the north stands.
- At the south stands, precast concrete risers have started to be installed at the upper levels. The seats will be attached to this base.
- On the main concourse level, the new concessions are being built.
- There is a buzz of activity inside the building, as the mechanical equipment and conduit for heating, electrical and plumbing are installed and partition walls are put up.

Looking north at the stadium, both the north and south side stands are taking on their new shape


At the north stands, the new roof structure has been installed and most of the precast concrete in the stands have been repaired


At the east end of the south stands, the walls for the concessions on the first level have been built and a new staircase to the upper levels is being built


A few seats were installed as a trial run this week. The full installation will start next week. The contractor expects to be able to install between 300 and 500 seats each day


The Veil will be anchored to these metal bases that have been installed at the foot of the south stands

[SteelTown]

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, committee members heard an update on the $147.5-million Pan Am stadium.

Current work includes:

Steel superstructure work is ongoing.
The storm water management system is nearly completed.
The deep underground plumbing is 80-per cent complete.
Testing and inspection work is ongoing.

The stadium sign will read Terrain Tim Hortons Field, incorporating both French and English.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/n...ith-pan-am-precinct-rec-centre-1.1866374

[elly63]

I hesitate to post this because I definitely don't want to resurrect the old Hamilton location argument and beat that long since dead horse yet again. I am posting it because it gives us an insight into what Braley may be thinking and doing with a new Toronto stadium - elly

Braley says Pan Am stadium in wrong location
Kevin Werner, News Staff September, 19, 2013

Hamilton businessman David Braley, who helped the community win the 2015 Pan Am Games, says city councillors made a mistake in building the new stadium for the games on the former Ivor Wynne Stadium location. He said Confederation Park was the best place to build the new facility.

“If I was to build it, I would not be building it on the site its being built,” said Braley.

The Burlington resident and Ontario senator told about 60 people during a fundraising event Sept. 18 at the Lakeview on Van Wagner’s Beach Road, said if Confederation wasn’t available, then the next option should have been to drop it on 100 acres of land, and then add commercial and retail building, including a hotel, to support it. He said it would have benefited the city’s business community, and for Hamilton’s economic development sector.

“We should have developed the land with retail, and hotels” (that other municipalities have done, including Ottawa), said Braley.

After the 2010 municipal election, an agreement emerged between the city, Mayor Bob Bratina, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to build the new $145.7 million stadium at the Ivor Wynne Stadium site on Balsam Avenue North. The new 22,500-seat facility is scheduled to be open in time for the Tiger-Cats 2014 season, and will be named for 10 years Tim Hortons Field.

The facility will host all of the event’s soccer games in 2015.

Braley, who sat on the Pan Am committee that brought the games to southern Ontario, including Hamilton, said he sat in former mayor Fred Eisenberger’s office talking about possible stadium locations, and urged him not to identify any sites. City staff was examining about 30 possible locations that could accommodate a stadium.

“We have not done our due diligence of all the sites,” Braley said he told the mayor.

But then a report emerged that identified three sites, Bayfront, the airport, and Confederation Park, which Braley said, none had been properly evaluated, although he was confident Confederation would have been the top site for the facility.

But Ward 5 councillor Chad Collins pushed his colleagues to take Confederation off the site list as a stadium location.