New Downtown Calgary Arena

[ZeDgE]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Firepark? The best choice? Yeah, let's move our arena out of the vibrant downtown. Seems like a great idea.

Agree, this would be awful.

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Flames don't want to share revenue with the Stampede board anymore and there's not enough room. Next.

That only leaves one option...west village!

[speedog]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Flames don't want to share revenue with the Stampede board anymore and there's not enough room. Next.

Actually, there probably is enough room on the north end of the lands that the Stampede board owns (up to 12th Ave, no?) - more likely it's the parking revenues and other revenues that are the real issue.

[speedog]

Interestingly enough, the Bottomlands Park area north of the new science center could accommodate such a facility as well but I don't think that ever would've been considered.

Certainly can't compare Calgary's situation to Edmonton as Calgary doesn't have a glut of inner-city/core lands that can be redeveloped for such a facility.

[Spring2008]

Not sure why Railtown isn't the primary consideration. Infrastructure's mostly in place, can prob build on both sides of the tracks, but that would be too easy wouldn't it?

[O-tacular]

Wow that article with Murray Edwards in it makes it seem like this thing won't be happening anytime soon. It sounds like there are just way too many conflicting voices.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Not sure why Railtown isn't the primary consideration. Infrastructure's mostly in place, can prob build on both sides of the tracks, but that would be too easy wouldn't it?

There's not enough room on the north side of the CPR tracks for either an arena or stadium. There is, however, enough space on the south side of the tracks down to the Stampede lands to build such a mutli-purpose facility - what I see the issue is that the west village is a more high albeit cramped profile site. Firepark - lots of space but just too far away from anything aside from transportation.

[bt04ku]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Wow that article with Murray Edwards in it makes it seem like this thing won't be happening anytime soon. It sounds like there are just way too many conflicting voices.

It sounds like they're starting to plant seeds to gauge public support before asking for money.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by bt04ku

It sounds like they're starting to plant seeds to gauge public support before asking for money.

Well I think they've gotten a pretty resounding 'Fuck no!'. Filthy rich people begging for public money really upsets me.

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by speedog

Actually, there probably is enough room on the north end of the lands that the Stampede board owns (up to 12th Ave, no?) - more likely it's the parking revenues and other revenues that are the real issue.

There is enough room, yes, but the Flames ownership won't go down that route again since they won't earn as much revenue (as mentioned before) .. Not to mention having to deal with the Stampede Board on issues

I wished the City owned a chunk of land beside the grounds, because they could then do some sort of land swap with the Stampede to get a chunk of land broken out and given to the City for a new arena while the Stampede gets land back in return to use

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Not sure why Railtown isn't the primary consideration. Infrastructure's mostly in place, can prob build on both sides of the tracks, but that would be too easy wouldn't it?

It would be the easiest but at the same time they'd have to buy that land off Remington and it likely wouldn't be cheap .. Whereas if the Flames can push for some City-owned land, there is a reasonable chance they'd get a good deal on it in some capacity

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

There is enough room, yes, but the Flames ownership won't go down that route again since they won't earn as much revenue (as mentioned before) .. Not to mention having to deal with the Stampede Board on issues

I wished the City owned a chunk of land beside the grounds, because they could then do some sort of land swap with the Stampede to get a chunk of land broken out and given to the City for a new arena while the Stampede gets land back in return to use



It would be the easiest but at the same time they'd have to buy that land off Remington and it likely wouldn't be cheap .. Whereas if the Flames can push for some City-owned land, there is a reasonable chance they'd get a good deal on it in some capacity

I'm all for Railtown, but seems like a small site for a mixed development. Unless they tore down the bus barn and bought the land that Brad Lamb owns.

[bt04ku]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Well I think they've gotten a pretty resounding 'Fuck no!'. Filthy rich people begging for public money really upsets me.

Seems that way so far. I imagine phase two of the campaign will be tossing out good ideas that imply or require lots of infrastructure improvement. The city has the cards so I think any money that does go to the project will actually be for public benefit even if it is a result of the project itself (tying into transit, road improvement to handle traffic, pedestrian improvement etc.) which I don't think many would have an issue with.

Luckily I think we're not going to see a 'we may have to move the team' bluff after Katz's blunder with Seattle.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

There is enough room, yes, but the Flames ownership won't go down that route again since they won't earn as much revenue (as mentioned before) .. Not to mention having to deal with the Stampede Board on issues

I wished the City owned a chunk of land beside the grounds, because they could then do some sort of land swap with the Stampede to get a chunk of land broken out and given to the City for a new arena while the Stampede gets land back in return to use



It would be the easiest but at the same time they'd have to buy that land off Remington and it likely wouldn't be cheap .. Whereas if the Flames can push for some City-owned land, there is a reasonable chance they'd get a good deal on it in some capacity

I'm not sure if this makes any difference, but my understanding is the city owns the grounds.

[Socguy]

Regardless of where the Flames decide they want to put a new arena, I suspect the city would put the kibosh on any plan that would see the arena move away from DT or any other place they don't like.

[Full Mountain]

For all you proponents, if this arena complex is going have an amazing ability to revitalize an area why not put it at Firepark the area could use the pick me up, it has transit and road access as well as the required space, overall it seems kinda ideal. Oh and best yet the city wouldn't have to be involved.

[McMurph]

Arena in the West Village as a core part of a modified area redevelopment plan. Stadium and Fieldhouse at Firepark. There isn't enough room in the core for everything and the arena is the only part of it that really ought to be downtown.

I'm not sure I buy King's "we're looking at multiple sites" line. At this stage in the game I would think they know exactly what they're doing.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

For all you proponents, if this arena complex is going have an amazing ability to revitalize an area why not put it at Firepark the area could use the pick me up, it has transit and road access as well as the required space, overall it seems kinda ideal. Oh and best yet the city wouldn't have to be involved.

Absolutely. There are many possibilities there, and it is the most reasonable from the city's perspective.

I think many of the people against the idea are being a pinch selfish / unfair in their assessment.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Absolutely. There are many possibilities there, and it is the most reasonable from the city's perspective.

I think many of the people against the idea are being a pinch selfish / unfair in their assessment.

With Max Bell on the other side of Memorial you could have complex that spans both sides, with a Max Bell replacement arenas, stadium, field house on the north side and an iconic NHL arena on the south where Max Bell is now, the tunnel to connect the two all ready exists.

If the Flames want the city to be involved there's a good way, replace the Max Bell and provide the city it and the land the new areans sit on for the existing lands south of Memorial.

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Absolutely. There are many possibilities there, and it is the most reasonable from the city's perspective.

I think many of the people against the idea are being a pinch selfish / unfair in their assessment.

I think if you want guests to take their money and go home after a game instead of spending money at local restaurants&bars (minimal public benefit and minimal reason for the city to lift a finger to help the owners move it from its current location), Firepark is an OK location. Can you imagine if Barlow Trail was the new Red Mile?

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by RyLucky

I think if you want guests to take their money and go home after a game instead of spending money at local restaurants&bars (minimal public benefit and minimal reason for the city to lift a finger to help the owners move it from its current location), Firepark is an OK location. Can you imagine if Barlow Trail was the new Red Mile?

We've been over this NUMEROUS times Lucky. The Max Bell lands are extensive, and would allow for a promenade with commercial, entertainment and residential throughout, extending from the Barlow MaxBell station virtually through to 17th avenue. The total space this accords for commercial, entertainment and residential is phenomenal. Your suggestion is like me saying, can you imagine Bow Trail as the Red Mile. It is a silly comment.