Stadiums and Arenas of Canada

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Everyone's opinions matter, Canada-wide. Almost half of the funding for this stadium is coming from the federal contribution to the Pan Ams.

The debate and the aftermath are something I understand very well. That whole period was a disappointment to me - regarding both the city and the team. I'm still disappointed in the team for not putting up some cash, and I'm a season ticket holder, though I think/hope they'll eventually invest in improvements.

But no matter where the stadium ended up, or what it would have looked like, there would be disappointed people and there will be grumbling and criticism for a long time. I just think it's time to try to move past all that, and despite the other options there are a lot of positives about the building and the site that we need to begin to embrace.

^True.

But I took Young and Mitchell's threats to move the team very personally. I don't forgive quite that easily. And I'm not sure Young has ever spoken publicly about that. An apology - or something resembling an apology - would go a long way towards mending fences. And I'm not the only one who feels that way. That said, I wish the Ti-Cats well and I hope the stadium is finished on time and that it meets expectations (limited though they may be). But as far as Young is concerned, he can take a flying leap. BTW Bob, you're 50+ - take off the ball cap and stop hiding that big bald head of yours. Just sayin'.

[craner]

I think the new Hamilton & Ottawa stadiums are looking better & better as they move along toward completion. Very exciting times with these 2, Regina to be next, reno'd BC Place, Molson, & Commonwealth. And the crown jewel IMO - IGF in Winnipeg!

I hope Toronto can figure out a more intimate venue for the Argos (still so disappointing about Varsity falling through). That just leaves Calgary and a new (or renovated) home for my beloved Stampeders. I'm sure the day is coming but man I hope it comes soon. Still love watching a game at McMahon though.

One thing I'm really appreciating with these new stadia is the greatly improved lighting they bring. Just watch the West final on Sunday from McMahon and compare it to IGF or an NFL game and you'll see what I mean.

Cheers Canada - here's to the CFL and having 9 great stadiums. (12 when we get QC, Halifax & Kelowna involved) .

Just 3 more comments:
I agree that the upper deck at Ottawa's new south stands should be bigger, it does seem a bit pointless being so little as someone mentioned.

I love the look of Commonwealth Stadium and the new seat installation but I can't for the life of me understand why they went with Rider green on the upper portion, the dark green looks so much nicer.

Thanks for all the photo updates & descriptions from Hamilton and Ottawa for those of us that want to see what a new stadium looks like - please keep them coming.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

But I took Young and Mitchell's threats to move the team very personally. I don't forgive quite that easily. And I'm not sure Young has ever spoken publicly about that. An apology - or something resembling an apology - would go a long way towards mending fences. And I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I had a hard time with that too. It didn't matter to me that the team was still looking to remain within the region (and the city I currently live in) - it was just wrong.

If I were his public relations advisor, I'd recommend he do exactly that. A sincere apology, with no explanations or qualifiers - just own it. To many it would ring hollow and I'm sure there'd be a wave of sarcastic retorts, but to a lot of people it would probably be appreciated and might just help to fade the scars from that battle.

[EdFromOttawa]

Originally Posted by many

When you are at baseball game it should feel sound and smell like baseball game. For example the outfield, should have unique look like what you have at get at Fenway, Yankee stadium, San Francisco stadium, even in Houston you get a unique look. Almost ever stadiums has this and not what rogers has which symmetrical look from left to right.

Even how they celebrate past players with sticking the name on blue rectangle and pasting it on cement facing look so cheap and devalues the accomplishment of past players compared to how other teams do it.

I'm sorry but this is a joke statement. If you base your entire fandom off of 'authentic baseball look and feel'...we don't want you holding season tickets anyways. How would you be able to adequately cheer as the Jays win the world series knowing that they are playing on completely adequate turf but not authentic green grass???!

Rogers Centre and BC Place are the pride of Canada in terms of large-scale sporting venues. I'm not sure how good either necessarily is for football (though I think they are loads better than some of the so-called 'classic' stadiums in the country; looking at you Molson), but they are the cream of the crop in terms of facilities and if you don't agree...you need to have your eyes examined/remove your head from your ass.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Everyone's opinions matter, Canada-wide. Almost half of the funding for this stadium is coming from the federal contribution to the Pan Ams.

I just think it's time to try to move past all that, and despite the other options there are a lot of positives about the building and the site that we need to begin to embrace.

Praise Allah! Good point about the federal funding.

[EdFromOttawa]

Even more shots of Ottawa's stadium, courtesy of Ottawa Fury FC staff (www.ottawafuryfc.com)

[EdFromOttawa]

[EdFromOttawa]

Here are some shots of the Fury FC changing rooms (looks MLS quality in terms of size) and other internal areas of the south side stands.

For those who aren't aware, all team offices/locker rooms/training rooms are in the basement of the south side stands. This area is below ground level.

[EdFromOttawa]

Recommend y'all check out www.ottawafuryfc.com and http://www.ottawaredblacks.com/ frequently if you want concrete updates on the construction progress and team news. Both often post stuff you won't find anywhere else.

[many]

Rogers Centre and BC Place are the pride of Canada

BC Place a pride of Canada yes, I think it looks good but as far as the Rogers Centre it should have never been built as it is, and could have been a way better stadium before the government starting adding more to it. If there was a baseball god the stadium the stadium would have to be demolished for being an eyesore.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by many

Rogers Centre and BC Place are the pride of Canada

BC Place a pride of Canada yes, I think it looks good but as far as the Rogers Centre it should have never been built as it is, and could have been a way better stadium before the government starting adding more to it. If there was a baseball god the stadium the stadium would have to be demolished for being an eyesore.

And where would this new baseball-only stadium be built? Who will pay for it?



With regards to the Ottawa stadium - what's with this new trend of random pattern and colours of seats we are seeing lately? The stadiums built for the Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014 soccer tournaments have them in abundance

[many]

[QUOTE=FrankieFlowerpot;6341847]And where would this new baseball-only stadium be built? Who will pay for it?

The extra money that they are spending on payroll last year and the future years is more then 250+ million, if they they stayed at 70 million they would have the 250 million to help build for a new stadium, plus the money they are going to spend to put grass in which could be over 70 million. So if these numbers are on target they would have 320 million to fund a stadium. Then add the extra tv money that they will be or getting from a new MLB TV contract, personal seat license, club seats and private box sales, you could see at least over 70 % of new stadium payed off.

I also like to add Atlanta Braves are in the process of designing and building a new stadium to replace their current home which us younger then Rogers centre by at least 8 years.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

So you'd rather spend money on a new stadium instead of fielding a competitive team?

What new TV contract is coming in MLB? Teams negotiate their own deals - and seeing as the TV station also owns the team that's not really changing anything

Again, where would this stadium be located?

[WhipperSnapper]

Braves play in a modified Olympic Stadium. Roger Centre is a revolutionary domed building that still maintains a high standard for its age.

The property for a new stadium anywhere near the downtown would be a considerable cost. Also, fielding a 70 million dollar team will see revenues drop drastically. The moves the Jays made last off season ended up a disaster however, they made a killing during that time everyone thought they could be the strongest in the powerhouse East.

[waterloowarrior]

The Braves are getting $300 million in taxpayer dollars to move from the city to a nearby County. If Peel Region gave that much money to the Jays I'm sure they'd consider moving to Mississauga.

[many]

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

So you'd rather spend money on a new stadium instead of fielding a competitive team?

What new TV contract is coming in MLB? Teams negotiate their own deals - and seeing as the TV station also owns the team that's not really changing anything

Again, where would this stadium be located?

I'm talking about the national TV contract of mlb, and as far a fielding a competitive team look at the money they spend and they still lost and wasn't even close.

[many]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Braves play in a modified Olympic Stadium. Roger Centre is a revolutionary domed building that still maintains a high standard for its age.

The property for a new stadium anywhere near the downtown would be a considerable cost. Also, fielding a 70 million dollar team will see revenues drop drastically. The moves the Jays made last off season ended up a disaster however, they made a killing during that time everyone thought they could be the strongest in the powerhouse East.

It was revolutionary at that time and had since been replaced by many new stadiums that have been built.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

I thought I read something the other day about the amount of new extra TV money being a lot lower than initial projections. Pretty sure Ken Rosenthal had an article about it

And I hate to sound like a broken record but where is this stadium going to go?

[Steveston]

As a Lions season ticket holder for many years, I can say that the only things that the old BC Place and the new version have in common are location and the base concrete structure.

From the exterior, the entrances have been completely re-done, with much more glass and steel; the exterior facades are dramatically improved with the clerestory lights; the masts, the roof, and roof lighting have become a new icon for the City. I can't emphasize enough the improvement to the gameday experience of having a retractable roof. On gorgeous summer evenings, seeing the blue sky change to the evening is great! And, of course, the closed roof comes in handy on those rare rainy days.

Inside, the seats are wider (finally, with cup-holders!); the HD screens are amazing; the ribbon board and scoreboards are a dramatic improvement; the redesign of the concourses (with video monitors EVERYWHERE) is a serious upgrade; the washrooms are better; and ingress/egress are easier without the airlocks/revolving doors (though I do miss being "launched" out the doors at the end of each game).

Essentially, we got a new stadium, in the same location. BTW, the location has always been one of the best points about the stadium. Very walkable, transit stations nearby, lots of excess office parking, and many, many options for restaurants and bars in the vicinity. Also, the bonus of a very nice tribute to Terry Fox, immediately outside the stadium, also dramatically improved over that original design nightmare.

[Chadillaccc]

Landsdown Stadium is looking good!