Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by HomerSPC

It would still be in the middle of the school year. They'd have to move the season later if they want to avoid the school year.

I meant if they wanted to hold it at Olympic, they'd have to have it earlier.

Originally Posted by esquire

How would it be any worse than regular season games at McGill? The only difference is that there would be a few thousand extra fans if temporary seating is installed. The game is on a Sunday when on-campus activity is at a low ebb anyway... they can do all the associated hoopla away from the venue, which is easy enough to do... I remember going to the 2001 GC and the only thing that happened at Olympic Stadium was the game itself.

You'll have the foot-traffic of minimum 40,000 people on campus on a weekend where students are working on term papers, setting up is going to take a week or more and include tons of workers (it's not just putting up banners like at Als games). You'll be expanding the grounds to include beer garders and outhouses, among other things, which will take more than a day to clean up. Not to mention the McGill dorms are maybe a five minute walk away from the stadium and students probably won't be too keen on 40,000 people screaming.

The Grey Cup isn't a regular Als game. There's way more prep involved, and McGill isn't going to want that.

[thurmas]

I am just still baffled that after the Expos left the Big Owe 11 years ago there is still no actual plan or proposal of addressing the stadium's future and what direction it should go in. At this point does it make more sense just to remove the rotting Teflon roof and keep it open air. The stadium is closed in the winter anyways because the roof cant support heavy snowfall amounts and be open to the public. It might cost $200 million just to replace the roof and the stadium has no permanent sporting tenant. Why not use the $200 million and reconfigure the lower bowl for Soccer and CFL to be closer to the field and replace the seats in the stadium and do some private suite and press box renovations?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

I meant if they wanted to hold it at Olympic, they'd have to have it earlier.



You'll have the foot-traffic of minimum 40,000 people on campus on a weekend where students are working on term papers, setting up is going to take a week or more and include tons of workers (it's not just putting up banners like at Als games). You'll be expanding the grounds to include beer garders and outhouses, among other things, which will take more than a day to clean up. Not to mention the McGill dorms are maybe a five minute walk away from the stadium and students probably won't be too keen on 40,000 people screaming.

The Grey Cup isn't a regular Als game. There's way more prep involved, and McGill isn't going to want that.

The CFL would not want the GC at McGill either.

[Horus]

Originally Posted by thurmas

I am just still baffled that after the Expos left the Big Owe 11 years ago there is still no actual plan or proposal of addressing the stadium's future and what direction it should go in. At this point does it make more sense just to remove the rotting Teflon roof and keep it open air. The stadium is closed in the winter anyways because the roof cant support heavy snowfall amounts and be open to the public. It might cost $200 million just to replace the roof and the stadium has no permanent sporting tenant. Why not use the $200 million and reconfigure the lower bowl for Soccer and CFL to be closer to the field and replace the seats in the stadium and do some private suite and press box renovations?

That would be a great addition to Grey Cup lore to have the game postponed (or cancelled) due to snow at a domed stadium!

[esquire]

Originally Posted by thurmas

I am just still baffled that after the Expos left the Big Owe 11 years ago there is still no actual plan or proposal of addressing the stadium's future and what direction it should go in. At this point does it make more sense just to remove the rotting Teflon roof and keep it open air. The stadium is closed in the winter anyways because the roof cant support heavy snowfall amounts and be open to the public. It might cost $200 million just to replace the roof and the stadium has no permanent sporting tenant. Why not use the $200 million and reconfigure the lower bowl for Soccer and CFL to be closer to the field and replace the seats in the stadium and do some private suite and press box renovations?

Yeah, keeping the Big Owe as an open-air stadium is probably the most pragmatically sensible approach. Unfortunately it would cost a fortune to demolish the thing, and the roof has proven to be a giant money pit so there's no sense in throwing more money at it.

They might as well just rip the lid off and use the money that would have gone towards a new roof to weatherproof the facility and spiff it up a bit, and just use it as an outdoor facility.

[king10]

Originally Posted by esquire

Yeah, keeping the Big Owe as an open-air stadium is probably the most pragmatically sensible approach. Unfortunately it would cost a fortune to demolish the thing, and the roof has proven to be a giant money pit so there's no sense in throwing more money at it.

They might as well just rip the lid off and use the money that would have gone towards a new roof to weatherproof the facility and spiff it up a bit, and just use it as an outdoor facility.

would they lose revenue from indoor tradshows and things like monster trucks?

I like the idea of open air though.

There was also some talk that with the advances in technology the original retractable roof could be improved upon and actually made to be functional.

[Oilkountry]

I'm all for a Renovated Big O as long as they kill some air space in the place....Bring it down to 37,000 permanent seats that sit along the field like IGF. basically gut the shell and build a stadium inside of it. Any Renovation to It's current configuration is an absolute waste of tax payer money and if any federal $$$ is spent on it I would be choked. If they have to dump half a billion into the place they better do it right. The pro's of a huge floor and 30,000 seats more than needed are very much out gunned by the pros of an intimate stadium. Also I'm sure Montreal is feeling left out on the Stadium front they would probably love nothing more than a full time tenant in The cities premiere stadium.

[GreaterMontréal]

With 180 days of annual occupation, the Big O compares favorably with other Olympic installations worldwide.

[Berklon]

^ That would still be a total waste of money.
Why would Montreal need a 37,000 seat stadium... or a new stadium in general? The Al's and Impact are settled and don't need more than 20,000 seats anyway. And renovating/building a new stadium isn't worth it just to be able to host the Grey Cup every 5 years or so.

If Montreal were to get a new stadium, it would be for a MLB team... and that's still idle chit-chat right now.

[J.OT13]

"Club Bell" to open at the Canadian Tire Centre for the 2015-2016 season. The Sens seem to be testing the market with multiple new concepts in their current building to perfect the plans for a new Downtown arena.

Benefits
•1-way Valet Parking
•Dedicated Entrance with Concierge
•Access to Club Bell (pre, during, and post-game)
•All-inclusive Food and Beverage
•In-suite Service
•Access to NHL Playoffs – Rounds 1 & 2 included
•All events Included
•Access to Concert Pre-sale
•Sens Away Game Trip to Montreal on VIA1 Rail
•Invites to Exclusive Sens Networking Events

Basicly, they are removing seating on the 100 level along with luxury boxes to incorporate something between season tickets and the traditional luxury boxes for Ottawa's unique market of smaller businesses (as opposed to the huge companies of TO, MTL, Van and Calgary).

http://senators.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=101700




http://senators.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=101700

[thurmas]

I remember reading an article last year that the current roof at the Big Owe is getting weaker every passing year and that there are 100's of tiny new tears appearing in it every day in the winter time from the strain of trying to hold ice and snow. It has to be either replaced or removed far sooner than people think.

[osmo]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I'm all for a Renovated Big O as long as they kill some air space in the place....Bring it down to 37,000 permanent seats that sit along the field like IGF. basically gut the shell and build a stadium inside of it. Any Renovation to It's current configuration is an absolute waste of tax payer money and if any federal $$$ is spent on it I would be choked. If they have to dump half a billion into the place they better do it right. The pro's of a huge floor and 30,000 seats more than needed are very much out gunned by the pros of an intimate stadium. Also I'm sure Montreal is feeling left out on the Stadium front they would probably love nothing more than a full time tenant in The cities premiere stadium.

Full time Tennant? What league? All Canadian large or outdoor stadiums sit empty at least 80% of the year.

The realities we see with the old relics of BC Place, SkyDome, and The Big O is that in the past with little foresight they didn't plan that these venues would ever loose luster. The realities is that big money has to be poured into them for renos. If it were not for the Olympics then BC Place would likely be in the same situation as the other two have to do heavy renos within the next 6-9 years. BC Place and that old roof probably would of popped and tore for good by now, I am think Syracuse is the only large blow up tarp roof left and they have reno plans in the works.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by osmo

If it were not for the Olympics then BC Place would likely be in the same situation as the other two have to do heavy renos within the next 6-9 years. BC Place and that old roof probably would of popped and tore for good by now, I am think Syracuse is the only large blow up tarp roof left and they have reno plans in the works.

Olympics? BC Place's roof was replaced AFTER their Winter Olympics - which to this day I find really weird and a wasted opportunity to put on a better showcase.

[osmo]

Originally Posted by Berklon

Olympics? BC Place's roof was replaced AFTER their Winter Olympics - which to this day I find really weird and a wasted opportunity to put on a better showcase.

Wasn't the reno tied into the bid? No specifically of course but when the flood gates for the money started up for the games the reno was thrown in during the spending spree. My timelines may be off but I think that major tear in the roof happened around the time the bid was being pieced together.

Major projects always get rushed up during Olympic times. I can't think that all of the Vancouver area major projects would be on-line now if it wasn't for the games.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by Berklon

Olympics? BC Place's roof was replaced AFTER their Winter Olympics - which to this day I find really weird and a wasted opportunity to put on a better showcase.

I think the issue was there were many unknowns with replacing the roof and if there were delays there was no other place to have the opening and closing ceremonies. I think getting all the parts for the roof reno had a long lead time as well

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I'm all for a Renovated Big O as long as they kill some air space in the place....Bring it down to 37,000 permanent seats that sit along the field like IGF. basically gut the shell and build a stadium inside of it. Any Renovation to It's current configuration is an absolute waste of tax payer money and if any federal $$$ is spent on it I would be choked. If they have to dump half a billion into the place they better do it right. The pro's of a huge floor and 30,000 seats more than needed are very much out gunned by the pros of an intimate stadium. Also I'm sure Montreal is feeling left out on the Stadium front they would probably love nothing more than a full time tenant in The cities premiere stadium.

Not exactly top of mind in Montreal I can assure you.

[Brizzy82]

Shaw Park, Winnipeg


Home of the Goldeyes by Garry9600, on Flickr

[Coldrsx]

Love the little guy

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by Brizzy82

Shaw Park, Winnipeg


Home of the Goldeyes by Garry9600, on Flickr

That's a nice little ballpark.

Love that there's a river on one side of it, and downtown buildings in the backdrop behind it. Sometimes the location and surrounds is just as important as the stadium itself. That just reminds me of the mistake of Tim Hortons Field.

[Nicko999]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I'm all for a Renovated Big O as long as they kill some air space in the place....Bring it down to 37,000 permanent seats that sit along the field like IGF. basically gut the shell and build a stadium inside of it. Any Renovation to It's current configuration is an absolute waste of tax payer money and if any federal $$$ is spent on it I would be choked. If they have to dump half a billion into the place they better do it right. The pro's of a huge floor and 30,000 seats more than needed are very much out gunned by the pros of an intimate stadium. Also I'm sure Montreal is feeling left out on the Stadium front they would probably love nothing more than a full time tenant in The cities premiere stadium.

The big O is used for big events because it has the ability to hold 60K+ people. Bringing the seating capacity to less than 40,000 is a total waste of money and would make no sense.

And with big events selling out (Impact CCL final), the demand is there. The stadium might be ugly but it's absolutely rocking when it's full. Who can forget Cameron Porter or Andres Romero goal in the final. It was absolute hystoria at the big O.