Regina Construction III

[brithgob]

That is literally the same slide at the two Days Inns and the Home Inn

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Originally Posted by brithgob

That is literally the same slide at the two Days Inns and the Home Inn

Yeah, I had a good laugh when I noticed that. Very original indeed

[Stormer]

Jysyk has already moved to the old Zellers space in Victoria Square. They even moved the sign. They don't open until March 29, but the old store is closed. There are 2 more store fronts under construction. Does anyone know if there will interior mall access to all store like Southland now has got Marks, Atmosphere and CT.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

I hope they will as it would definitely improve the floor plan of the Victoria Square, and allow easy access from the other part of the mall and it's tenants. Southland was very smart in their design.

[BrutallyDishonest]

The mall would be wise to completely redo the facade of the whole place. But it would appear they have no interest in actually doing that.

[Drofmab]

Originally Posted by one_brick_at_a_time

Yeah, I had a good laugh when I noticed that. Very original indeed

Same one at the Home Suites in Swift Current too.

[brithgob]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

Same one at the Home Suites in Swift Current too.

So D3H buys them in bulk.

[thefourthtower]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

Well, I believe it when they say: "where there's smoke, there's fire."

The old railyards (ideally) would be a fantastic location for a new arena; it would fit a hell of a lot better in there anyway --- as opposed to a football stadium. Plus, that would greatly enhance the bar strip along Dewdney as well.

We'll see what happens.

This very well may happen a state of the art hockey areana , and what a great place to have it at the downtown rail yards , they are planning to build it there because there will never be another opportunity like that again , who would of ever thought

[thefourthtower]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Would really be a great spot for an Alt hotel/condo mixed-use building, since Alt's model is that they don't have a bunch of extra services in their hotel, but rather rely on the surrounding area... restaurants and bars all around, casino just down the street, dry-cleaning services nearby, massage/spa in Hotel Sask... central location... Dare to dream.

Does not the hill family own that land , I belive that is one of the best locations for a major new development and the lands are vacant , the dream very well become a reality in the core ,

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by thefourthtower

Does not the hill family own that land , I belive that is one of the best locations for a major new development and the lands are vacant , the dream very well become a reality in the core ,

I agree. When something is built there, they'd better go all-out due-to-the-fact that such sites will eventually become intensely few in number.

[Drofmab]

Clerk at S Albert Shoppers tonight said that the renos will be done/food store open "this week." Seems like there's a fair bit left to finish, but what do I know?

Also saw two ATCO trailers arrive at Golden Mile tonight (in the fenced-off area in front of the food court)...getting ready for the reno, I'd assume.

[Stormer]

There is another story in the LP today about the Brandt Centre. My personal view is that as much as I would love a big new arena downtown, it is just not feasible. The bones of the Brandt Centre are sound as far as I am aware. If seats were to be added to the other end and the concourse eliminated and mostly replaced with suites, it would be about the right size for Regina. Certainly the Pat's do not need more seats. Maybe an improved venue, but not more seats.

Eliminating the concourse might require some expansion of the footprint on the north and south to ensure there is room for concessions and circulation.

I would support selling the Brandt Centre to the Pat's for $1 in return for their commitment to spend say $30-50 million upgrading it.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Stormer

There is another story in the LP today about the Brandt Centre. My personal view is that as much as I would love a big new arena downtown, it is just not feasible. The bones of the Brandt Centre are sound as far as I am aware. If seats were to be added to the other end and the concourse eliminated and mostly replaced with suites, it would be about the right size for Regina. Certainly the Pat's do not need more seats. Maybe an improved venue, but not more seats.

Eliminating the concourse might require some expansion of the footprint on the north and south to ensure there is room for concessions and circulation.

I would support selling the Brandt Centre to the Pat's for $1 in return for their commitment to spend say $30-50 million upgrading it.

I would say something about the Brandt that they are looking at is in the current config with floor seats they can only have around 6500-7000 for a concert. Whereas Sasktel Centre Saskatoon can have 13,000-15,000. The bowl could be increased on the west side sure, but it would be closed off in a horse-shoe configuration anyway. And Pats don't draw enough to make that investment alone worth it in a older building. Plus the fact that the acoustics in the Brandt are mediocre at best, compared to Sasktel Centre.

It will be interesting to see what happens with it, and the ownership group.

IMO to have a lower bowl seating of 6500-7000 with an upper of 7000-8000 that can be closed off like MTS would be good for the Pats and concerts. Also have corporate boxes in the middle as they are in all NHL rinks.

The MTS Centre was built for $133.5M ($180M) today. So the costs (assuming the ownership group takes it on themselves) is not insurmountable.

[HomerSPC]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

The MTS Centre was built for $133.5M ($180M) today. So the costs (assuming the ownership group takes it on themselves) is not insurmountable.

Likely made a good portion of that cost back in facilities fees for all the events it holds.

I'd kill to see a Sasktel Centre in Regina. It's disappointing seeing all the big name concerts overlook us because of the size of our arena.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

I would say something about the Brandt that they are looking at is in the current config with floor seats they can only have around 6500-7000 for a concert. Whereas Sasktel Centre Saskatoon can have 13,000-15,000. The bowl could be increased on the west side sure, but it would be closed off in a horse-shoe configuration anyway. And Pats don't draw enough to make that investment alone worth it in a older building. Plus the fact that the acoustics in the Brandt are mediocre at best, compared to Sasktel Centre.

It will be interesting to see what happens with it, and the ownership group.

IMO to have a lower bowl seating of 6500-7000 with an upper of 7000-8000 that can be closed off like MTS would be good for the Pats and concerts. Also have corporate boxes in the middle as they are in all NHL rinks.

The MTS Centre was built for $133.5M ($180M) today. So the costs (assuming the ownership group takes it on themselves) is not insurmountable.

I don't think anyone could justify $180 million. The arena will probably lose money on operating basis. Forget about a return on your $180 million. There are just not enough concerts in the 10k plus attendance range to justify it. Plus, with New Mosaic, we have a fantastic venue for the really big concerts, at least for half the year.

Also Regina's CMA is 1/3 of Winnipeg's.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Stormer

I don't think anyone could justify $180 million. The arena will probably lose money on operating basis. Forget about a return on your $180 million. There are just not enough concerts in the 10k plus attendance range to justify it. Plus, with New Mosaic, we have a fantastic venue for the really big concerts, at least for half the year.

Also Regina's CMA is 1/3 of Winnipeg's.

That is all true, however, I will say this. Brandt and the other owners are smart businessmen. They have amassed a wealth level that has afforded them the ability to even consider this as an option. Regardless of what we may think if THEY believe they can make a go of it they will. As ROI is what they focus on. And if they aren't focusing on ROI they are going about it all wrong. Plus if it has meeting / convention space in the facility that will carry through as well. So $180M / 30-40 years become more profitable. It isn't ALL predicated on Concerts. They can rent the ice space to teams and have other uses for the bowl. As Unlike the stadium, this is an enclosed space, and as such would have 365-day operations.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

...Brandt and the other owners are smart businessmen. They have amassed a wealth level that has afforded them the ability to even consider this as an option....

The keyword here is smart. They will try to get something built without risking any money themselves. Meaning the city would foot the risk. I think the appetite in Regina with Mosaic would be close to nil for footing any amount of a new rink for the Pats. A new facility would be nice and as part of the raillands would be nice, but I doubt it happens. While the enclosed rink would be less of a dead zone than the football stadium for that site, the amount of surface parking and access required makes it as big a hindrance as a helper with the railyards site and creating any sort of urbanism there. Regina has already messed up the true potentials of the site with the parking lots for the Superstore redevelopment and the suburban hotel they have allowed to be built there.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

The keyword here is smart. They will try to get something built without risking any money themselves. Meaning the city would foot the risk. I think the appetite in Regina with Mosaic would be close to nil for footing any amount of a new rink for the Pats. A new facility would be nice and as part of the raillands would be nice, but I doubt it happens. While the enclosed rink would be less of a dead zone than the football stadium for that site, the amount of surface parking and access required makes it as big a hindrance as a helper with the railyards site and creating any sort of urbanism there. Regina has already messed up the true potentials of the site with the parking lots for the Superstore redevelopment and the suburban hotel they have allowed to be built there.

I don't know if parking would be an issue downtown arenas are all over and require transit or an alternative way of getting to the stadium, or willingness to walk. This is something that people here in Regina are opposed to. But have been accepted in other centers.

There would likely be underground parking for players / management and others. And underground loading dock.

Like I say we will see what happens. But parking in these new downtown area's will be limited and will require people to change their 'car transit only' paradigm.

[cutterp]

Might as well add another rumour to the mill here. How about some seniors complexes being built on N Broad St where the Zion Church currently resides.

And how is that Fuddruckers rumour coming along?

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

I don't know if parking would be an issue downtown arenas are all over and require transit or an alternative way of getting to the stadium, or willingness to walk. This is something that people here in Regina are opposed to. But have been accepted in other centers.

There would likely be underground parking for players / management and others. And underground loading dock.

Like I say we will see what happens. But parking in these new downtown area's will be limited and will require people to change their 'car transit only' paradigm.

I agree with that completely, but Regina is a fraction of the population of most of these markets and our transit is terrible. I ride our transit all the time and would love to see it better, but Regina just hasn't reached a population -- and won't for many decades -- to make it work in any actually convenient manner.