Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[osmo]

Originally Posted by Horus

BMO is an ever-evolving work in progress. While the north end will be "empty" this year, I would not be surprised if they come up with a workable solution to close it off once they have a full season of shared occupancy behind them.

I'd rather they make an informed evaluation after a full season of shared occupancy than rush into something that could be proven unworkable for the long run.

I was thinking this also.

Not as much anymore.

My company is getting words that the North End is a mess and MLSE does not know what to do with it. The timelines are more for the Winter Classic which is MLSE's top priority for BMO Field right now (Winter Classic > TFC > Argos).

The Argos have jacked things up due to the awkward end zone spacing that they don't have much room to work with. They are right up to to the property line and the main entry gate is on that corner which now has obstruction due to the massive support beam for the roof. They are worried about crowd flows now and not sure how to deal with it.

Also is the fact that BMO cost a nickel to build. My company is mulling pulling out of the Winter Classic because MLSE can't promise us the state of the conditions for the stadium. BMO Field isn't designed to run in the winter, the pipes freeze and leak and we struggled with events there in October and March so what would New Years fair with the cold? MLSE might have to dump money to fix internal crap with the stadium which is all sub-standard but they likely can't do it in time for the WC.

[esquire]

^ Does it really matter to the Winter Classic what happens to the north stands? BMO is such an underwhelming stadium for a Winter Classic in what is supposedly the greatest hockey market in the world... no matter what happens with the north stands that won't change.

Honestly, it's like entering a Hyundai Elantra into the Indy 500 and then fretting about whether you should have gotten the sport appearance package. IT WON'T MATTER.

[Acajack]

Stupid question: why wouldn't they have the Winter Classic at Rogers Centre with the roof open?

[tomthumb2]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Stupid question: why wouldn't they have the Winter Classic at Rogers Centre with the roof open?

I was just thinking the exact same thing. Is it because of Rogers?

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Stupid question: why wouldn't they have the Winter Classic at Rogers Centre with the roof open?

The cold weather

By: Brendan Kennedy Sports reporter, Published on Sat May 10 2014

With the sun shining and temperatures approaching 20C on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, many Blue Jays fans were wondering why they were stuck inside to watch their team take on the Los Angeles Angels. Isn’t the whole point of having a retractable roof that you can open it when it’s nice outside? Well, it’s one more thing you can blame on the dreadfully long winter we’re just coming out of.

The colder weather meant that the roof could not begin its required testing until recently. Since the dome is sealed through the winter, testing of the roof can’t begin until all the snow and ice have melted. The mechanical parts that allow the roof to open and close contract in the cold, so consecutive warm-weather days of roughly 10C or higher are required before testing can begin.

“At around 10 degrees, if we were to open the roof, and the temperature then dropped, we risk not being able to close it,” Stephen Brooks, the Jays’ senior vice-president of business operations

[Oilkountry]

yeah because what a mess an indoor stadium hockey game would be.



...Roof open or closed The heritage classic/winter classic/stadium series are about the bottom line and about the event itself not so much about getting back to the roots of hockey like when these events were introduced in Edmonton. MLSE is silly do to this out of BMO instead of RC. However they might be able to grab the same amount of cash out of a 40,000 BMO than they would with a 55,000 seat Rogers Centre (supply and demand economic stuff). But a leaf game in a stadium is gonna be a big deal in the hockey world. I feel like BMO isn't gonna be a very good representation of this nations capital and the Toronto maple leafs in all their "glory"

[drummer_god]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I feel like BMO isn't gonna be a very good representation of this nations capital and the Toronto maple leafs in all their "glory"

Our nation's capital is Ottawa and it's image will not be affected by a hockey game held at BMO.

[osmo]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Does it really matter to the Winter Classic what happens to the north stands? BMO is such an underwhelming stadium for a Winter Classic in what is supposedly the greatest hockey market in the world... no matter what happens with the north stands that won't change.

Honestly, it's like entering a Hyundai Elantra into the Indy 500 and then fretting about whether you should have gotten the sport appearance package. IT WON'T MATTER.

It matters so much that the facility is supposed to be finished by that time the WC rolls around.

One thing that Canadian teams can't pull is typical cheap tendencies when hosting more or less "American" events. When Toronto wanted to host the NBA all-star game the NBA essentially mandated they spend a boatload of money and get a new scoreboard and beef up amenities or it was a no-go.

When events have heavy American sponsors tied to it the game changes. The WC has to be put on as a quality event and can't be ramshackle. BMO Field is ramshakle in evrey way and it was never supposed to be how it is now.

The plan was either Argos in, with a full modification job to fit them in nicely. Or, the other option of the Argos not in with the full phases being completed this season and the north stand still in place.

What is in place now is a mix of both options with the Argo getting in at the very last minute. How can MLSE fit in modifications when a MLS and CFL season with a Grey Cup will wind down in November? This is why things are so crazy now behind the scenes. Timelines are tight.

IMO a working plan has to be put in place. The NHL has not guaranteed Toronto the game and its off my assumptions, from what I know, that it is because of the issues of the North End and the ability to soundly host a event in January at the facility without pipes and bathrooms blowing up. The new stands on the East, are fine, but the West-end is decrepit. And I know many will say "BMO isn't that old" which is true, but BMO was built on a shoestring budget on the cheap and will show its age with a event it was not designed to host.

Nobody seating in the seats watching he WC will notice. But when you want to use a washroom or get a beer and a hot dog from a stand it will be noticeable. The basics, simple basics, and BMO can't guarantee them right now to be in working order.

[Nathan]

Not the largest photo.... but a new overhead shot of the stadium in Regina:


Source: @sskroughriders

Really taking shape now.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Not the largest photo.... but a new overhead shot of the stadium in Regina:


Source: @sskroughriders

Really taking shape now.

Sigh, such a pretty new thing in Regina.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by esquire

BMO is such an underwhelming stadium for a Winter Classic in what is supposedly the greatest hockey market in the world...

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I feel like BMO isn't gonna be a very good representation of this nations capital and the Toronto maple leafs in all their "glory"

What exactly does the state of an outdoor stadium have to do with how great Toronto is as a hockey city? That's like saying the Ferrari Silverado is such an underwhelming pickup truck from what is supposedly the greatest supercar company in the world. In other words, it's exactly what you'd expect.

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by drummer_god

Our nation's capital is Ottawa and it's image will not be affected by a hockey game held at BMO.

What i meant was Ontario in general but I should have worded that differently

Originally Posted by Mister F

What exactly does the state of an outdoor stadium have to do with how great Toronto is as a hockey city? That's like saying the Ferrari Silverado is such an underwhelming pickup truck from what is supposedly the greatest supercar company in the world. In other words, it's exactly what you'd expect.

I would expect more from Toronto than BMO? Sorry to say it but although great for the CFL/MLS it's a Tiny underwhelming venue for such a rare event. I don't know why your bringing "Hockey city" into this at all, nobody is gonna question that. The conversation is RC VS BMO for a leafs game.

[mistercorporate]

Passed BMO Field today on the Gardiner and it looks different even from last week. It's gonna be a beauty, no doubt about it, quite resplendent in the TFC colours (red, white and grey) and the city is really building up around it. Some serious Aplha presence and cranes everywhere, this city refuses to stop!

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Passed BMO Field today on the Gardiner and it looks different even from last week. It's gonna be a beauty, no doubt about it, quite resplendent in the TFC colours (red, white and grey) and the city is really building up around it. Some serious Aplha presence and cranes everywhere, this city refuses to stop!

I passed by Sunday for the first time in months. I had no idea they were going to be doing so much to it. it's gone from a tiny stadium into something much more grander in stature. So many cranes

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Stupid question: why wouldn't they have the Winter Classic at Rogers Centre with the roof open?

Wouldn't really have a winter atmosphere, either for the patrons and certainly not for TV.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Stupid question: why wouldn't they have the Winter Classic at Rogers Centre with the roof open?

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ballpark/roof_operation_guidelines/index.jsp

The retractable roof operating system was designed to operate at or above temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius. Attempting to open or close the roof at temperatures below this mark could easily lead to mechanical failure. Additionally - the mechanical systems within the stadium are not winterized and, as such, opening or closing in temperatures that approach zero Celsius would likely result in major damage.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

I would expect more from Toronto than BMO? Sorry to say it but although great for the CFL/MLS it's a Tiny underwhelming venue for such a rare event. I don't know why your bringing "Hockey city" into this at all, nobody is gonna question that. The conversation is RC VS BMO for a leafs game.

You and esquire are the ones who seemed to imply that a stadium like BMO lessens the stature of the Leafs and Toronto as a hockey city. I was simply responding to those posts. Really though, who cares if BMO isn't as big and imposing as some previous Winter Classic stadiums? It's a great stadium and will be a perfectly suitable place for the game. Nobody's going to watch the game on TV and think "what a small stadium, Toronto must not be the hockey capital of the world after all". Outdoor games aren't about proving a team's glory or that the city is (or isn't) the hockey capital of the world. It's about having some fun.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Mister F

You and esquire are the ones who seemed to imply that a stadium like BMO lessens the stature of the Leafs and Toronto as a hockey city. I was simply responding to those posts. Really though, who cares if BMO isn't as big and imposing as some previous Winter Classic stadiums? It's a great stadium and will be a perfectly suitable place for the game. Nobody's going to watch the game on TV and think "what a small stadium, Toronto must not be the hockey capital of the world after all". Outdoor games aren't about proving a team's glory or that the city is (or isn't) the hockey capital of the world. It's about having some fun.

Actually it's about generating enormous profits by charging premium prices for tickets and attracting a crowd far larger than a typical regular season game, but that's a minor quibble.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by esquire

Actually it's about generating enormous profits by charging premium prices for tickets and attracting a crowd far larger than a typical regular season game, but that's a minor quibble.

Fair enough. The Winter Classic does seem to be losing a bit of its novelty though, at least in the States.

In any case, we've had a Winter Classic at Fenway with 38,000 people. That's not all that much bigger than BMO Field. I don't see it as a problem.

[Daveography]

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