Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[tomthumb2]

Originally Posted by speedog

Ditto.

Work behind the scenes at McMahon and it's advanced age (for a stadium) definitely show.

Definitely need a new stadium here, just not sure the proposal is the right thing or place.

I went to both Flames game Fri night and Stamps game on Sat. Both are sadly lacking in concession areas and washrooms. If you want to take a leak and get a drink you risk missing at least ten minutes (I missed 3 freaking goals at the flames game!).

Having said that, I think there's way more desire for a new arena over a stadium/field house. Calgary is def a hockey town first and even though McMahon is much, much worse than the Saddledome, there doesn't seem to be a real hunger for a new stadium. Maybe that will change a bit once Regina's shiny new stadium opens but I don't think we have many rabid cfl fans here that really care.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by tomthumb2

Having said that, I think there's way more desire for a new arena over a stadium/field house. Calgary is def a hockey town first and even though McMahon is much, much worse than the Saddledome, there doesn't seem to be a real hunger for a new stadium. Maybe that will change a bit once Regina's shiny new stadium opens but I don't think we have many rabid cfl fans here that really care.

The arena/stadium proposal definitely followed this logic. The Flames get a brand new, high-tech arena, while in order for the Stamps to get a new stadium it has to be bundled in with a fieldhouse. It's unfortunate because Calgary is going to be in a very small minority of teams with poor stadium, but I can't see how the stamps would ever become a priority team there.

[speedog]

I've heard time and time again that the seating/stands aren't really a problem at McMahon - the real problem is the facilities underneath that serve the patrons. So if the bones are still good, then why not rip out what's underneath and redo that? Problem is whom owns McMahon and as long as that stays the same, then I don't see any considerable changes at good old McMahon.

[tomthumb2]

Originally Posted by speedog

I've heard time and time again that the seating/stands aren't really a problem at McMahon - the real problem is the facilities underneath that serve the patrons. So if the bones are still good, then why not rip out what's underneath and redo that? Problem is whom owns McMahon and as long as that stays the same, then I don't see any considerable changes at good old McMahon.

That's not quite accurate. The seats are very cramped and the ones in the corners are miles away from the field which is why they never sell those. Plus lack of luxury boxes, etc. It's just way past its due date and not possible to upgrade to the new standards that are being set. Plus I'm sure the university would love to tear it down and build something useful on that site.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

It's unfortunate because Calgary is going to be in a very small minority of teams with poor stadium, but I can't see how the stamps would ever become a priority team there.

Literally every CFL city has built a topnotch football stadium in the last 40 years except... Calgary. Granted McMahon was still OK until about a decade ago, but really, you would think a town like Calgary could pull off a new venue without having to resort to this fieldhouse gambit.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by esquire

Literally every CFL city has built a topnotch football stadium in the last 40 years except... Calgary. Granted McMahon was still OK until about a decade ago, but really, you would think a town like Calgary could pull off a new venue without having to resort to this fieldhouse gambit.

Really?

I would hardly describe Tim Hortons Field as "top notch". It's acceptable, but definitely not "top notch".
Olympic stadium was so horrible that Montreal no longer plays there.
People on this forum constantly complain that Skydome is a terrible football stadium. So which is it... top notch or terrible?

[Coldrsx]

Arena update from tonight's benefit meeting group

330mil spent thus far
4000 workers, 700 a day, accident free to date, 1,000,000 man hours
Tracking LEED silver, 4500 tons of waste diverted, aiming for 90%
Drywall to 5th storey, loge level
Sept 2, 2016 turnover
Employed 8 from Bissell/Boyle Street, plus other sites and contractors have been hiring
Some hard landscaping complete, majority summer 2016
Good media coverage within north America
Community rink ice slab poured, bleachers in place 

More to come...

[Nicko999]

I was flying from Chicago to YUL the other day and it was the first time I saw the Olympic Stadium in its new lightning from the air and let me tell you it's pretty damn spectacular. I wasn't quick enough to grab my cellphone and take a picture but here is a crappy snapshot from a Youtube video.



It is the most noticeable thing if you are landing at night even more so than downtown.

[EpicPonyTime]

When did they add the new lights? Now ff only they could do something for the exterior during the day.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Berklon

Really?

I would hardly describe Tim Hortons Field as "top notch". It's acceptable, but definitely not "top notch".
Olympic stadium was so horrible that Montreal no longer plays there.
People on this forum constantly complain that Skydome is a terrible football stadium. So which is it... top notch or terrible?

THF is perhaps stretching the definition of top notch, but I'd say it's legit given that it meets the standards one would expect of a modern pro football stadium, and most importantly, isn't a fieldhouse or some other such facility masquerading as a football stadium.

The Big O and Skydome are fine in my books. Both were world class for the era in which they were built. The biggest criticism against both is that they were simply too large in relation to what the teams in those cities were capable of drawing.

Calgary is such a can-do city, so it's weird to watch the forumers from there throw their hands up and claim that a new stadium can't be done when literally every other CFL city has built one in the last 40 years.

[Jay in Cowtown]

Originally Posted by esquire

Calgary is such a can-do city, so it's weird to watch the forumers from there throw their hands up and claim that a new stadium can't be done when literally every other CFL city has built one in the last 40 years.

This has been my observation throughout the years with hardcore Stamps fans... They are a loyal, on average 50+, modest, blue-collar bunch of folks that could literally not give a shit if McMahon is ever replaced. To them the place is just fine... at +30c or -30c.

What the Stamps organization is missing out on is the silver spoon 20 - 40 assholes like myself that would rather watch the game at home in HD or fly south for live games because going to McMahon is just not enough of an entertainment draw. Just this weekend alone, of my whopping 230 facebook friends... 6 had updated themselves as being at NFL games on Sunday.

If I was a part of the Flames Organization I'd build something a bit better that a fucking Fieldhouse with zero chance of tailgating - if you want to attract mine, and the next few generations of fans! And like I've always said... I'm a Stamps and CFL fan.

[esquire]

^ Makes you wonder why CSEG doesn't just go with a properly designed outdoor stadium. Building an indoor facility is very expensive... for $300M you would either end up with a half assed indoor venue or a really good outdoor one.

What's the latest on that project anyway? I haven't heard anything since the concept was unveiled back in the summer.

[Coldrsx]

Rogers Place and Ice District among others.


My own

[Jay in Cowtown]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Makes you wonder why CSEG doesn't just go with a properly designed outdoor stadium. Building an indoor facility is very expensive... for $300M you would either end up with a half assed indoor venue or a really good outdoor one.

What's the latest on that project anyway? I haven't heard anything since the concept was unveiled back in the summer.

Because then they wouldn't have a reason for public funds calling it a "fieldhouse" for "everyone to utilize". lol

They're in the process of getting the contamination costs for the site in order... so I think I heard KK blithering about on the Fan960 a few weeks ago anyway. Update in December on that.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by tomthumb2

It's just way past its due date and not possible to upgrade to the new standards that are being set.

Completely wrong. A refurbishment could see it become a gem, it's just a matter of cost.

Originally Posted by Jay in Cowtown

What the Stamps organization is missing out on is the silver spoon 20 - 40 assholes like myself that would rather watch the game at home in HD or fly south for live games because going to McMahon is just not enough of an entertainment draw. Just this weekend alone, of my whopping 230 facebook friends... 6 had updated themselves as being at NFL games on Sunday.

While this group may spend a lot, they also cost a lot to court. Not saying they shouldn't be chased though. Another group I think the Stamps could chase, the would-be target audience for the MLS in Calgary. With no MLS team, these customers are up for grabs.

[esquire]

^ Soccer fans? They're probably either busy playing in their rec league games or watching EPL games on TV.

I don't see how a passion for soccer really translates into interest in football.

[blueandgoldguy]

I'm hearing there will be approx. $200 million in upgrades and repairs to Montreal's Olympic Stadium and the surrounding area (park). A portion of that will be used to fix the roof.

I wonder if the repairs to the roof will be substantial to the point it can withstand the weight of snow and therefore be in the running as a Grey Cup host once again.

[esquire]

^ Is it seriously out of the running right now? It seems that they always make "special exceptions" for major events, including Grey Cups in years past.

[tomthumb2]

Originally Posted by Jay in Cowtown

This has been my observation throughout the years with hardcore Stamps fans... They are a loyal, on average 50+, modest, blue-collar bunch of folks that could literally not give a shit if McMahon is ever replaced. To them the place is just fine... at +30c or -30c.

What the Stamps organization is missing out on is the silver spoon 20 - 40 assholes like myself that would rather watch the game at home in HD or fly south for live games because going to McMahon is just not enough of an entertainment draw. Just this weekend alone, of my whopping 230 facebook friends... 6 had updated themselves as being at NFL games on Sunday.

If I was a part of the Flames Organization I'd build something a bit better that a fucking Fieldhouse with zero chance of tailgating - if you want to attract mine, and the next few generations of fans! And like I've always said... I'm a Stamps and CFL fan.

Haha, great post Jay! Pretty accurate too, although I know a lot of stamps fans that are over 50 and only one thinks McDump is good as is (I think he has brain damage).

Agree with your other points 110%. And what makes it worse is that most casual fans and/or die-hard hockey fans don't really care about the cfl. Seems like a bit of apathy. Not as bad as Toronto mind you but still, bit of a growing concern I'd say.

[tomthumb2]

Originally Posted by Riise

Completely wrong. A refurbishment could see it become a gem, it's just a matter of cost.

Why bother? You'd have to completely gut the structure then basically rebuild it. Plus, the bowl design sucks - higher up seats are so far way from the field. Location isnt that great either. Super far away for those in the south, plus not many bars or restaurants around for pre or post game. And don't get me started on that ridiculous set up for the LRT station. What an abomination that is!