Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Maybe a new arena in Regina will happen sooner- 10 years possibly? I'm sure the province will stagger new arena construction in Regina and Saskatoon by at least 10 years as the provincial government would be one of, if not the largest source of public funding.

Out of curiousity, what are some potential sites for new arenas (downtown) in Regina and Saskatoon in the future? Can someone point any particular places on city maps?

With the Stadium, the province enacted some rules around funding of stadiums/arenas. They will kick in 30% of the cost up to $80 mill. The rest would be on the cities or sources of private funding. So if Regina and Saskatoon push for new arenas, the province would be on the hook for $160 mill at most if they follow their rules.

That said, I don't see either needing a new arena in the next 10 years for reasons above. Both have had pretty extensive work over the last while and although Regina's could use a larger capacity to attract more/different shows; it is currently enough for the main tenant (the Pats). I'm also guessing the Stadium debt will have to be paid down a bit before an arena would be considered; the city put up $70 mill or so, with another $100 mill covered by ticket surcharges. The location of the Brandt Centre isn't bad at all either. It's a 10-15 min walk from downtown, and there is starting to be a bit of a concentration of facilities there: exhibition space (including a new trade centre area being built in the next 2 years), a 6-arena facility, indoor soccer fields, a convention centre, the Brandt Centre, and the Stadium. A new hotel is also almost done (though that is partially because a hospital is in the area, too).

Saskatoon's capacity is good enough (it has been expanded numerous times), the only real blemish is that it's at the edge of the city, though it has some services in the area now. When I was growing up, the arena was basically the only thing there.

[Migs]

As I argued when the shovels hit the ground, it's being built almost exactly as advertised.

[mistercorporate]

That is one hell of a beautiful stadium!

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by ggopher

I doubt Regina will be building a new hockey arena anytime soon. The Brandt centre has recently been upgraded, and I believe the city will want to keep all the event space at the Agribition Grounds.

However, here is an old video, showing the original plan for the New Football Stadium on the site of the old CP Container Railyard. The problem was that CP didn't release as much land as was initially expected and needed for a stadium. So they had to scrap that idea. But there should be room for a hockey arena. It would be a great location connected to Casino and downtown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFljpKAy2uI

Originally Posted by Nathan

With the Stadium, the province enacted some rules around funding of stadiums/arenas. They will kick in 30% of the cost up to $80 mill. The rest would be on the cities or sources of private funding. So if Regina and Saskatoon push for new arenas, the province would be on the hook for $160 mill at most if they follow their rules.

That said, I don't see either needing a new arena in the next 10 years for reasons above. Both have had pretty extensive work over the last while and although Regina's could use a larger capacity to attract more/different shows; it is currently enough for the main tenant (the Pats). I'm also guessing the Stadium debt will have to be paid down a bit before an arena would be considered; the city put up $70 mill or so, with another $100 mill covered by ticket surcharges. The location of the Brandt Centre isn't bad at all either. It's a 10-15 min walk from downtown, and there is starting to be a bit of a concentration of facilities there: exhibition space (including a new trade centre area being built in the next 2 years), a 6-arena facility, indoor soccer fields, a convention centre, the Brandt Centre, and the Stadium. A new hotel is also almost done (though that is partially because a hospital is in the area, too).

Saskatoon's capacity is good enough (it has been expanded numerous times), the only real blemish is that it's at the edge of the city, though it has some services in the area now. When I was growing up, the arena was basically the only thing there.

thanks for that. I didn't know about the rules regarding provincial funding of stadiums.

Saskatoon's arena is certainly large enough. With it being under 30 years old I would think the city and the province would be comfortable with it as the primary arena in the province for at least another 25-30 years with another major reno in the intervening years.

Originally Posted by Migs

As I argued when the shovels hit the ground, it's being built almost exactly as advertised.

Argued with who exactly? When that final rendering was posted a few years back I don't recall anyone stating the finished product would look much different from it. There was disagreement over how much the original render ( coverage of 100% of fans from the elements) would differ from the final renders/finished product given the budget and those opinions proved to be true.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Argued with who exactly? When that final rendering was posted a few years back I don't recall anyone stating the finished product would look much different from it. There was disagreement over how much the original render ( coverage of 100% of fans from the elements) would differ from the final renders/finished product given the budget and those opinions proved to be true.

There were many critics who suggested that the final product would look nothing like the current render that was released in May '14. (Can't remember if it was this forum or not).

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

pffft I'll take 2 of whatever you're on. Modernization? yes.. but sasktel is more than what a city Saskatoons size needs and 3x what a WHL team needs. If anything they could probably shed some seats, to build a new arena to replace the existing one would be a reckless way to spend public dollars, it would be like Edmonton tearing down commonwealth in 1990. Didn't they just sink a ton of money into the place? new scoreboard, seats ect? I wouldn't hold your breath their bud. This isn't Atlanta

Well you're kind of a dick aren't you.

A big reno is definitely the other possibility for Sasktel. The arena is awful, and no they haven't put tons of money into it. The last time they spent any substantial money was the expansion from 13 to 15K, which included the creation of the upper concourse. Everything else, they do small-scale; new club seats, a "new" scoreboard.

It needs new seats, an expanded concourse, new amenities, the whole works. If they can do it with a reno then I'm all for it, since the size is fine and it will allow the arena to make more money and draw bigger acts. The chances of a substantial reno though is probably as likely as a new one.

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Out of curiousity, what are some potential sites for new arenas (downtown) in Regina and Saskatoon in the future? Can someone point any particular places on city maps?

I can't speak about Regina, but in downtown Saskatoon I can't think of anywhere that an arena would fit. The only place that might might work would be the Midtown Plaza parking lot on Idylwyld, but even that's likely way too small.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by ggopher

I doubt Regina will be building a new hockey arena anytime soon. The Brandt centre has recently been upgraded, and I believe the city will want to keep all the event space at the Agribition Grounds.

However, here is an old video, showing the original plan for the New Football Stadium on the site of the old CP Container Railyard. The problem was that CP didn't release as much land as was initially expected and needed for a stadium. So they had to scrap that idea. But there should be room for a hockey arena. It would be a great location connected to Casino and downtown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFljpKAy2uI

Ever since the Brandt Centre (nee Agridome) opened, it has been in the media at various times during the '80s and '90s that - if need be - the roof could easily be 'popped' for significant expansion. That would be a hell of a lot cheaper than building anew.

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

Well you're kind of a dick aren't you.

A big reno is definitely the other possibility for Sasktel. The arena is awful, and no they haven't put tons of money into it. The last time they spent any substantial money was the expansion from 13 to 15K, which included the creation of the upper concourse. Everything else, they do small-scale; new club seats, a "new" scoreboard.

It needs new seats, an expanded concourse, new amenities, the whole works. If they can do it with a reno then I'm all for it, since the size is fine and it will allow the arena to make more money and draw bigger acts. The chances of a substantial reno though is probably as likely as a new one.

I can't speak about Regina, but in downtown Saskatoon I can't think of anywhere that an arena would fit. The only place that might might work would be the Midtown Plaza parking lot on Idylwyld, but even that's likely way too small.

Maybe you're right..I was there for nitro circus I really didn't find it bad at all... yeah the concourses are smallish but no smaller than Vancouver and Winnipeg. It's a bare bones arena like MTS was but it's a WHL arena I don't see why Saskatoon would ever need a new arena...The location sucks

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by Migs

There were many critics who suggested that the final product would look nothing like the current render that was released in May '14. (Can't remember if it was this forum or not).

I'm sure it was not this forum. The renders previous to that were questioned by a few as those were just concepts.

[SkahHigh]

Place Bell in Laval coming along nicely

[speedog]

Interesting and relative read - NFL Subsidies: Taxpayers Left High and Dry After Rams Move to Los Angeles.

[Coldrsx]

http://www.rogersplace.com

[osmo]

Originally Posted by speedog

Interesting and relative read - NFL Subsidies: Taxpayers Left High and Dry After Rams Move to Los Angeles.

Good brief read on the topic. This issue isn't unknown here in Canada, with the Edmonton example of the CRL as American type model being used here for Arena/Stadium construction.

[Migs]

January 26, 2016.

[esquire]

^ The lines on the roof structure are very pleasing to the eye.

[SHOFEAR]

Originally Posted by osmo

Good brief read on the topic. This issue isn't unknown here in Canada, with the Edmonton example of the CRL as American type model being used here for Arena/Stadium construction.

Nobody likes to mention that QC is paying for 50% and the Province is funding the other 50% of their new arena. I know we have to walk on eggshells when talking about Quebec....but the lack of outrage of this is appalling.

[Mrs Sauga]

http://www.tsn.ca/proposals-unveiled-for-sens-new-home-1.428976

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by Mrs Sauga

http://www.tsn.ca/proposals-unveiled-for-sens-new-home-1.428976

Jesus! so it's basically in stone that the sens are opening a new arena 2020ish. Good on Ottawa for keeping it's foot on the gas after lansdowne park.

[eemy]

Some pictures from the Rendezvous proposal, which includes the Senators:














All from their website: http://illuminationlebreton.ca/gallery/index.html

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Looks great but if the Flats are involved well...