Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2 - Page 55

Riise · #**1081** Posted **May 20, 2015, 8:55 PM**

By using this thread to voice their dislike for each other, Argo and TFC fans are uniting everyone else to dislike both sets of supporters. Any chance we could get back to discussing the Stadiums and Arenas of Canada?

FrankieFlowerpot · #**1082** Posted **May 20, 2015, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

By using this thread to voice their dislike for each other, Argo and TFC fans are uniting everyone else to dislike both sets of supporters. Any chance we could get back to discussing the Stadiums and Arenas of Canada?

I posted an update of the Argos practice facility. What are your thoughts on that?

Or any other stadium/arena currently under construction?

Oilkountry · #**1083** Posted **May 20, 2015, 9:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper and one o nin

BMO doesn't have the length to fit a CFL field (sorry if this has been discussed - I haven't read through the posts). 110+20+20 = 150 yards

They are making changes to add x2 20 yard endzones by demolishing the north side stands and cutting into the south side and having retractable seating. At least that is the belief and its been mentioned by MLSE that this is the plan . But I'm pretty sure they didn't just buy the franchise without knowing if the stadium could retrofit the the CFL dimensions

king10 · #**1084** Posted **May 20, 2015, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper and one o nin

BMO doesn't have the length to fit a CFL field (sorry if this has been discussed - I haven't read through the posts). 110+20+20 = 150 yards

Yes, yes it has.

king10 · #**1085** Posted **May 20, 2015, 9:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

No need for mud slinging.

Time will show the Argos true colors. I work in the sports industry here in Toronto and I have said many times that in Toronto central there are next to no Argo fans. Which is why you see out of towners blowing smoke and slinging med because so few people in the city really care.

This move was on the horizon a while ago when Braley would not budge from his sales price. Nobody was going to buy it at what he wanted it for so Larry T and Bell had to come in and essentially bail out the team.

With the Babcock move coming out of know where, MLSE could of chose to let the Argos at least get one full press day to themselves, they didn't even care to do that.

The Argos to BMO will be a temporary thing. You think the plan is to get them to at least some type of stable footing to get a eventual return in the investment. Evreybody talks about how this move will put a new spark in downtown.. I don't see it. But what I do see is that now the large base of their established fanbase in the suburbs now will have a harder time getting to games. It will help now they have more weekend dates to play on, which is good. But you introduce more inconvenience to the people who show up to your games the most.

There isn't even a promise the team makes money. They will have even less revenue streams now simply being a tenant at BMO Filed (Drinks and concessions go to MLSE, Parking goes to Ex Place).

Plus how do you even divide up the pie. The Arogs pay rent to MLSE --> MLSE gives their cut of overall facility revenues to Larry T. and Bell --> Rogers still gets a cut of MLSE money but none of Argos money but still collects money from the Argos...

Next with BMO field at 30K seats, how can we promise the Argos sell out evrey game? They have been averaging 18-23K a game and IMO the old configuration for BMO would of been the ideal size for them. The model that would work for the Argos is small capacity of stands with a abundance of suites and boxes. You can sell anything to rich people here in Toronto. If you don't believe me go see how bust the boxes are at crappy Marlies games, those boxes are all usually busy and full for the games, rich people just want a reason to spend money. BMO Field won't have that, it will have the club options for the Argos to exploit but it still has to many seats. After the honeymoon wears off there is no reason why it won't return back to a half filled stadium.

Lastly, the demographics are not here in the city. Again a revival of the Argos would mean you are bringing back fans that were actually there...

There isn't a Argos fan base in Toronto proper. The biggest job Bell and Larry T. have to do is to used MLSE foundations already laid to do aggressive community and grassroots building to get a new fan base growing. IMO all that work will be done with the intentions to stabilize it to eventually sell the team. I don't think Bell/TSN minds loosing money to keep the Argos going but I can't imagine Larry T is in that game, maybe he sells his stake once the team is on even footing, who knows.

The reality TFC fans harp loudly like this because there is actually a fan base here. This is what a passionate group of people who are invested in a team look and sound like. Where was the rally of Argo fans? I haven't seen one interviewed in the papers or on TV. They really are a small group in the city and are largely based in the largely white blue collar parts of South Etobicoke. Aside from that pocket there really isn't much else where in the city for support, its all suburban.

The argos averaged close to 30 000 in the mid 2000's. I dont think 25 000 which will be the CFL capacity will be too much at all. Also BMO field has tons of suites over 44, club levels, private bars. Thats more than Hamilton, Ottawa and MTL. Even more suites than the new Winnipeg and Sask stadiums.

Also I find it difficult to trust what you have to say after you called out MLSE for being cheap and not having undersoil heating and "cheaping" out for rolling lights when all those accusations were false.

Dalreg · #**1086** Posted **May 20, 2015, 10:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riise

By using this thread to voice their dislike for each other, Argo and TFC fans are uniting everyone else to dislike both sets of supporters. Any chance we could get back to discussing the Stadiums and Arenas of Canada?

Hopefully a fight to the death between the two groups settles the BS once and for all. Maybe last team standing gets the stadium?

The Chemist · #**1087** Posted **May 20, 2015, 11:37 PM**

The way I see it, if the Als can be rejuvenated by a move to a smaller, more intimate stadium, then so can the Argos. This is nothing but good news for a team that needs it.

Oilkountry · #**1088** Posted **May 21, 2015, 1:47 AM**

So Tim confirmed the south end will be retractable but he said something kind of interesting. He said the north side would be only partially torn down but will fully retract as needed between CFL and MLS. You would think they could retract the North end and still use it for Argos games? A high party deck with retractable seating so the deck can still be used for CFL games but has seats as well for MLS games.

FrankieFlowerpot · #**1089** Posted **May 21, 2015, 2:40 AM**

Goodness only knows what the plans are.

I'll wait until the plans are released.

osmo · #**1090** Posted **May 21, 2015, 2:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankieFlowerpot

The planned Argos in BMO configuration is only supposed to be 25K, not 30K seats.

Why won't the same amount of suites / club rooms will be the same for the Argos as it there for TFC?? There's 44 Suites, 2 Club/Loge Rooms, Rogers Club Room, Tunnel Club Room, East Field Club Room and 2 director lounges currently at BMO. Actually - those 2 director lounges will have to be demolished most likely to allow for the longer field.

The suites will do well. I have more faith in then selling those out each game versus all the stands if we were to fast forward to 5 years from now. We sit and wait then, not much else to do but wait for the plans.

I think it is safe to say something new has to get drawn up now. If the old plans were still a go they would muse about them. Tim keeps saying something different each day. The new muse by Tim about keeping partially the North end makes no sense as you could knock down those stands with a few 10 year olds and some baseball bats.

The one thing to watch out for is the eventual wind tunnel. The cold air creeps up southward from the lake, that section was always the worst to hang out on during TFC games because of the wind swirls. It would interesting to see how it affects football on the field, but of course also the silver spoon Toronto folks who moan when its -3.

Matrix19 · #**1091** Posted **May 21, 2015, 3:11 AM**

source : facebook Construction amphithéâtre de Quebec

nas1787 · #**1092** Posted **May 21, 2015, 4:46 AM**

A few images of new turf going in at BC Place, courtesy MLA Todd Stone's Twitter.

king10 · #**1093** Posted **May 21, 2015, 12:40 PM**

Im sold on quebec city arena. So elegant and sexy.

Denscity · #**1094** Posted **May 21, 2015, 7:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by king10

Im sold on quebec city arena. So elegant and sexy.

Inside looks super nice. Just wish I could peel off the white exterior from the panels to reveal the aluminum or stainless underneath. Kinda like that blue protective film on a new stainless steel fridge.

Migs · #**1095** Posted **May 21, 2015, 8:07 PM**

Various photos from Rod Pedersen & myself from media tour of new Mosaic Stadium. Now 41% complete. 250 workers onsite.

rich m · #**1096** Posted **May 21, 2015, 9:23 PM**

Wikipedia

blueandgoldguy · #**1097** Posted **May 22, 2015, 2:28 AM**

Quebec's arena is looking great. I guess at this point they are putting on the finishing touches.

Regina's new stadium is coming along nicely as well. Over 40% complete so they are leaving themselves ample Time for the soft opening next year in case of any unforeseen delays unlike the last two cfl stadiums constructed.

osmo · #**1098** Posted **May 22, 2015, 2:54 AM**

Regina is looking good.. but that isn't 40%...

Maybe to the concrete being poured its at 40% but the Stadium is a good year away from being close.

Nathan · #**1099** Posted **May 22, 2015, 4:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

Regina is looking good.. but that isn't 40%...

Maybe to the concrete being poured its at 40% but the Stadium is a good year away from being close.

Yes... They are a little over a year away from completion, which is planned for August 2016.

There is a lane closure now on a street beside the stadium (Elphinstone if anyone wants to check it out on a map). They are to be delivering some metal structures over the next while for the canopy on the East side.

Construction will also accelerate over the next little while (as long as we don't get daily summer downpours).

40% actually sounds about right to me though. The East structure is nearing completion, with the west underground and some above ground done. The North is clipping alongside the West.

FrankieFlowerpot · #**1100** Posted **May 22, 2015, 7:08 PM**

Pan Am venues update

Quote:

TORONTO -- Organizers for this summer's Pan Am Games say they're about $53.5 million under budget for capital infrastructure spending, largely because bidding for major venues was done four to five years ago.

In its fourth-quarter financial report released Friday, the TO2015 organizing committee said it has spent $551.7 million of its $672-million capital budget, which includes venue construction, with only two venues still to be finished.

"We were fortunate to have gone out early in the process, I think in the year 2010-11, to solicit bids at a fixed price for major project builds and those builds came in under budgeted amounts," TO2015 CEO Saad Rafi said in a conference call.

"Then later, meaning last year, we went out to bid on a smaller few other facilities, such as the BMX facility, and they came in a little over budget as the market had come back in terms of post-recessionary time," he said.

"Because those are very small projects, we've had the benefit of getting advantageous pricing and delivery based on the alternative finance and procurement model," a type of public-private partnership, he said.

"So that was really the principle reason behind the savings."

Only the Pan Am shooting centre in Cookstown and the Toronto track and field centre at York University remain to be completed, with 49 days to go before the international competition, the committee said.

An event to mark the completion of the Hamilton soccer stadium was held Friday afternoon.

Operating expenses for the quarter were $128.9 million, spent largely on overlay, technology, sports operations, event and ceremonies, transportation and logistics, TO2015 said.

In total, the committee said it has spent $344.5 million or 44.7 per cent of its operations budget of $770 million.

The operations budget increased by $10 million from the last quarter to reflect value-in-kind support from corporate sponsors, TO215 said.

It said, however, that because its financial reporting follows the fiscal year, the bulk of its operating expenses will be paid after the Games.

The Pan Am Games will take place from July 10 to 26, and the Parapan Games from Aug. 7 to 15.

So far, more than 400,000 tickets -- about 45 per cent of what's available -- have been sold, with several events completely sold out, the committee said.

"Considering we haven't announced all the team members, we're pretty pleased," Rafi said.