Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[Surrealplaces]

The project has been talked about for about 7 years now, but not much in the public eye. The latest article Here says at least three years for construction start if approved, so tack on another year or two I guess.

I don't think the funding part will drag on though, like it has for other cities. I believe that part has been going on behind the scenes for a long time, and one of the reasons this has dragged on is that they are getting their ducks in a row first.
The city set aside $200 million for a new field house a while back and it sounds like (from multiple sources) they are going to fold that into partially funding a new stadium. If it looks to be a win-win for everyone, it should help things sail through.
$200 million can go a fair ways in funding a new stadium. The Flames have always maintained they would fund the arena themselves, and I believe they will.

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Those conservative arenas are still some of the nicest in the NHL. Both have all the toys you would expect from a modern arena. No shame in that.

I'm looking forward to seeing the proposal and possible renders for the new Calgary arena/stadium next week. There has already been substantial talk of such a project for 1-2 years in Calgary so I suspect something this big will take a minimum of another 8 years before it comes to fruition especially in a province that is loathe if give money to pro sports teams...see 0$ in provincial money given to the new Edmonton arena.

new Winnipeg Stadium - first concepts released to the public in 2004 or 2005 at Assiniboine Downs; stadium opened in 2013

New Regina Stadium - talks of a domed stadium first floated to the public in 2007; stadium soft opening in 2016

New Ottawa Stadium - talks of a new Ottawa team and stadium in either 2006 or 2007; new stadium opened in 2014.

New Hamilton Stadium - talks of new stadium as part of Toronto bid for Pan Ams in 2008; new stadium opened in 2014.

New Edmonton Arena - talks of a new arena first started in 2008; new arena will opens in 2016.

When did talks of a new arena begin in Calgary? Wasn't it back in 2009 or 2010? The proposal has only grown in size and scope since then with the addition of a stadium and "community" surrounding the sports facilities. Given the enormous amounts of money involved, I suspect this project will have the longest period of time between faint public rumblings to completion.

Nice looking arena Moncton! Looks to be right size for the city and will be preeminent entertainment venue for the province.

Never say never, but I doubt MLS will ever award an expansion franchise to Calgary. Not with so many American cities who have already built or are willing to build new soccer-specific stadiums ahead of them in line - San Antonio, Indy, Sacramento, 2nd LA team, Minny and Miami.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

I don't think the arena will be better than the Rogers arena, and don't really care if it is. It will likely be something nice and modern, and very solid.... I've heard they are looking for something similar to XL centre in Min, or the Console Energy centre in Pittsburgh. The one-up will come as a whole package with the new stadium and residentail around it

It sounds like the stadium design will be something similar to Ottawa's new stadium, which I've been a big fan of.

Congrats Montcon!

But it won't be world-class iconic and will it even touch our ICE district? I mean come on Calgary, are you really going to let your inept cognitively delayed little brother out do you?

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

But it won't be world-class iconic and will it even tough our ICE district? I mean come on Calgary, are you really going to let your inept cognitively delayed little brother out do you?

Of course not

who knows...the new stadium may be a covered stadium with retractable roof.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

The project has been talked about for about 7 years now, but not much in the public eye. The latest article Here says at least three years for construction start if approved, so tack on another year or two I guess.

I don't think the funding part will drag on though, like it has for other cities. I believe that part has been going on behind the scenes for a long time, and one of the reasons this has dragged on is that they are getting their ducks in a row first.
The city set aside $200 million for a new field house a while back and it sounds like (from multiple sources) they are going to fold that into partially funding a new stadium. If it looks to be a win-win for everyone, it should help things sail through.
$200 million can go a fair ways in funding a new stadium. The Flames have always maintained they would fund the arena themselves, and I believe they will.

So that's basically the pitch, then? CSE tells the levels of government that it will pay for the arena and surrounding development so long as the governments kick in toward a new fieldhouse and stadium?

Seems like a reasonable win-win deal to me. This kind of arrangement, where Calgary could stand to get 2 new pro sports facilities and an amateur fieldhouse for less of a public contribution than Edmonton will pony up for Katz's rink would be enough on its own to outdo Edmonton.

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by esquire

So that's basically the pitch, then? CSE tells the levels of government that it will pay for the arena and surrounding development so long as the governments kick in toward a new fieldhouse and stadium?

Seems like a reasonable win-win deal to me.

Yep, I believe that's been the plan all along. Get buy in on funding for a new field house without any flack and then later add it to a plan for a cool new stadium. If the owners invested 200 Mil and the City 200 Mil...that's a very nice stadium. I think in the end it's a win-win, which will make it easier to push through.

As far as the arena goes. I don't think CSE has ever had a problem paying for it themselves. It'll be nice, but not spectacular.

As far as outdoing Edmonton, at this point both cities are going to do very well by these developments. I'm not sure anybody is going to out-do anyone at the end of the day Two really good developments that both have some pros and cons.

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

But it won't be world-class iconic and will it even touch our ICE district? I mean come on Calgary, are you really going to let your inept cognitively delayed little brother out do you?

I sense your sarcasm but I'm going to respond anyways. Xcel Energy Centre is World Class by every definition. Huge concourses with a great combination of glass, steel and brick. Huge entrance gates on the main level. Great selection of food. Bars that you can actually sit down in on every level. Great atmosphere. Has been voted the best arena in the league. Oh, and comparable seats are much cheaper than a similar experience will be at Rogers.

If Calgary ends up with an arena like Xcel it could very well be just as good as Edmonton's. Higher cost doesn't always equal better facility. If it did, The American Airlines Arena in Dallas would be the best arena by default - $400 million in 2000, which I'm guessing would be $700 million if constructed now.

[king10]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

I sense your sarcasm but I'm going to respond anyways. Xcel Energy Centre is World Class by every definition. Huge concourses with a great combination of glass, steel and brick. Huge entrance gates on the main level. Great selection of food. Bars that you can actually sit down in on every level. Great atmosphere. Has been voted the best arena in the league. Oh, and comparable seats are much cheaper than a similar experience will be at Rogers.

If Calgary ends up with an arena like Xcel it could very well be just as good as Edmonton's. Higher cost doesn't always equal better facility. If it did, The American Airlines Arena in Dallas would be the best arena by default - $400 million in 2000, which I'm guessing would be $700 million if constructed now.

MSG takes the cake for most expensive. after renovations and inflation its price tag is over a billion dollars.

The latest reno they did to it is beautiful.

American airlines centre cost $420 million in 2001, which is only $560 million adjuusted for inflation.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by king10

MSG takes the cake for most expensive. after renovations and inflation its price tag is over a billion dollars.

The latest reno they did to it is beautiful.

American airlines centre cost $420 million in 2001, which is only $560 million adjuusted for inflation.

At $1 billion Barclay's Center is also up there.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

But it won't be world-class iconic and will it even touch our ICE district? I mean come on Calgary, are you really going to let your inept cognitively delayed little brother out do you?

Well the Oilers are typically eliminated in mid November so most of the year, especially May and June we wont care. By all means, put on your best sweat pants and dress shoes, head out to grab some perogies in the Winter Garden, talk about the 80's and the excitement of the upcoming draft loto.

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

The 'partially funded field house' is the stadium. The city has already allocated $200 million toward that. With $200 Million going to a new field house, you can fold that into a nice new stadium very easily.

Personally, I think the whole idea about funding for the field house was planned a long time ago as a way to avoid an outcry about funding toward a new stadium....but I'm fine with it.

The Fieldhouse is a priority project but is not yet funded nor is there any money set aside for it. It makes sense in the grand scheme of things but they still need to find that $200 mm. It's an easier sell but not a guarantee.

[Denscity]

Rogers Arena in Vancouver turns 20 this year.

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by king10

MSG takes the cake for most expensive. after renovations and inflation its price tag is over a billion dollars.

The latest reno they did to it is beautiful.

American airlines centre cost $420 million in 2001, which is only $560 million adjuusted for inflation.

Yep, forgot about that one. Adjusted for inflation is not the same as adjusted for construction inflation in arenas and stadiums. Construction costs have skyrocketed in the last 2 decades. Xcel was built for anywhere between $130 - $180 million back in 2000, but it wouldn't cost $170 - $240 million if it was built from scratch today. I would think closer to $400 million today.

[FutureSmith]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Rogers Arena in Vancouver turns 20 this year.

Speaking of which, does anyone know if Rogers is going to continue to hold the naming rights on two arenas? Or are they going to double down on Edmonton when Vancouver's deal expires?

[craner]

Originally Posted by tomthumb2

Of course I want the new arena in Calgary to be better than Edmonton's and the stadium to be better than Regina's but those two combined are over a billion dollars so realistically we're probably going to have something nice, but not spectacular, despite what Ken King says. Plus, this is going to be a proposal only, not final plans.

Is Regina's new stadium $500m+ ?

[khabibulin]

Originally Posted by craner

Is Regina's new stadium $500m+ ?

I think $278 million is the TEC.

[craner]

^Thanks.
So $280 Regina
+ $480 Edm
-------------------
= $760

Long way from $1B.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton Events Centre:

flyby animation:
• Video Link

Another rendering of the main entrance showing nighttime lighting design:

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by khabibulin

I think $278 million is the TEC.

That in the general contract for construction, there is also a couple million being invested into the area directly around the stadium, another 10-20 mill by the Riders for leaseholder improvements, and an additional $10 or so million for concessions and other such facilities. So the total cost is probably slightly over $300 million, but again a long way from $500 million.

[osmo]

It is nice inside but I find the Moncton rink ugly as hell. Depending on materials used it could end up scary looking and cheap.

[Nathan]

The Moncton arena almost looks like a weird mashup of a circus tent, a carnival, and a 20s store awning. Those are the 3 things that sort of came to mind with the colouring on the roof. I don't mean this in a bad way, or to take away from what they are building. The project is gutsy and I applaud them for thinking big. It's definitely brought more attention to the city over the last number of years.

[TownGuy]

When I first saw it I thought yuck but at the same time Canadian cities look very drab, specifically in the winter months, a little colour might be a good thing.