Saskatoon Construction II

[prairieguy]

I am old enough to recall that the issue of parking was the "scare tactic" used in the 80's referendum by those who opposed the downtown location for the arena. Some things never change, I suppose. I have to think the development of our downtown would have been significantly different had an arena been built there in the 80's. Hope we get it right (at least in my opinion) if we ever proceed with this idea.

OK...I think I will now cease my comments on a hypothetical situation.

Anyone have any good "real" construction news!!

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Anyone have any good "real" construction news!!

Although none of them are — projects (Co-op Home Centre on 8th Street, Save On Foods in Kensington, replacement of the 22nd Street McDonalds and tons of smaller private negotiated deals), there are more jobs currently being tendered in Saskatoon than we have seen for quite some time.

It's like all of the Owners and consultants suddenly realized that it's Spring and time to start building. This isn't a surprise, people. Spring generally arrives at this time of year and there's no reason this stuff couldn't have already been tendered 2 months ago and going into the ground now. Regardless, the estimators at most contractors will be keeping busy and that bodes well for construction projects this summer.

[macca]

Originally Posted by Crisis

replacement of the 22nd Street McDonalds

22nd and 2nd or just a new MacDonald's on the 22ndt st west auto wasteland?

[4LSaskatoon]

Starting construction of ALLOY Collision Center (Wyant Group) in Stonebridge, on Brand Rd. 2 year project. (Allan Const. Contractor)

[Crisis]

Originally Posted by macca

22nd and 2nd or just a new MacDonald's on the 22ndt st west auto wasteland?

Demolition and replacement of the existing store at 22nd & Avenue V.

[Brutopian]

Dream Centres: current projects in Saskatoon

http://www.dream.ca/centres/project/#saskatoon

[prairieguy]

My apologies....I said in an earlier post that I would no longer post my views on the need for a downtown arena, BUT....this isn't really my view but rather a link to an article referencing the need to do "something" about the current arena.

http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/aging-sasktel-centre-at-a-crossroads

[mitchellk12]

Originally Posted by dac717

Lose-lose proposition? If a sports stadium were to go downtown, there would be substantial structured parking complimenting it. Over a quarter of the city centre is surface parking, there’s tons of room to build more and hopefully much of it is integrated with an office/residential/institutional/commercial building.

As for transit, there are already big changes happening with BRT.

Everyone try to see the benefits here. All I hear is people blasting about parking. Understand that proper analysis would be completed so all of these challenges are addressed prior to executing.

I mentioned this to a few of my friends. They whined about parking. I told them they would ovbioulsly accomodate parking for something like that. Its like society thinks an arena is dropping out of the sky tomorrow with what we have. People.....we will plan accordingly lol

[prairieguy]

I know this is not a RUSH fan page, but was at the game last night...(and yes they won and clinched the West Division title!!!) and what gong show on the concourse level of the arena. You physically cannot walk around the arena concourse without it feeling like a roller derby ramp being jostled and hipchecked! And then....in line for a pint of beer at half time and ended up missing two goals because it took sooooo long for service. Something has to be done!!

[nook]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I know this is not a RUSH fan page, but was at the game last night...(and yes they won and clinched the West Division title!!!) and what gong show on the concourse level of the arena. You physically cannot walk around the arena concourse without it feeling like a roller derby ramp being jostled and hipchecked! And then....in line for a pint of beer at half time and ended up missing two goals because it took sooooo long for service. Something has to be done!!

I understand that egress from any stadium can be difficult in emergencies, but having that many people and that small of a concourse is a hazard.

I just get one beer at Rush games now, though. Beginning of the game and that's it. The lines are just too long. When I go to Blades games I'll grab my beer at the bar upstairs, but I don't know if that's open during Rush games.

[SkydivePilot]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I know this is not a RUSH fan page, but was at the game last night...(and yes they won and clinched the West Division title!!!) and what gong show on the concourse level of the arena. You physically cannot walk around the arena concourse without it feeling like a roller derby ramp being jostled and hipchecked! And then....in line for a pint of beer at half time and ended up missing two goals because it took sooooo long for service. Something has to be done!!

At Mosaic, I NEVER go for beer at halftime; service is a lot quicker 10-15 minutes before halftime. (Tip for you here. ) At ANY large sports event, and at ANY facility, when there is a halftime involved, halftime is the WORST time to go for food/drink. The folks of Saskatoon are now finally being cultivated as to what it's like to have large, regular sports events with a 'real' halftime involved.

I reckon that the new Mosaic would have similar challenges as well.

There would be no new rink for 10 Rush games/year; however, an NHL franchise, that's a different matter. (25-some-odd years away.)

[The Bess]

I believe we should start planning now, figure where the location should be in the downtown area, reserve the land for it and start looking at how to fund it. City should leave TCU as is with only maintenance money and start down the road for new arena within 10 years. Just my opinion of course, By the way hope everyone else doesn't decide to go for a beer 15 minutes before half time lol.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I know this is not a RUSH fan page, but was at the game last night...(and yes they won and clinched the West Division title!!!) and what gong show on the concourse level of the arena. You physically cannot walk around the arena concourse without it feeling like a roller derby ramp being jostled and hipchecked! And then....in line for a pint of beer at half time and ended up missing two goals because it took sooooo long for service. Something has to be done!!

Stay in your seat then if it's such a drama. Nothing will be done anytime soon so no amount of whining will change it.

God got to love Saskatoon. First time ever they get capacity crowds for a sport and it's the end of the World.

[SaskScraper]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

I know this is not a RUSH fan page, but was at the game last night...(and yes they won and clinched the West Division title!!!) and what gong show on the concourse level of the arena. You physically cannot walk around the arena concourse without it feeling like a roller derby ramp being jostled and hipchecked! And then....in line for a pint of beer at half time and ended up missing two goals because it took sooooo long for service. Something has to be done!!

I hear ya on the crazy crampness of SaskTel Centre, I avoid going there for events because of the hassle getting there on the cluster f*ck of roads in North end of city, the congestion in the arena concourse itself, men's washrooms on only 3 of the 4 corners of building (like — ) and the slow staff at concessions and parking attendants that hinder more than help with parking traffic flow.
I don't think an entirely new building is feasible at the moment, maybe after a decade with the Rush to see if they stay or not. These games at the arena are by far the largest regular scheduled indoor sporting events in Saskatchewan's history so its understandable there may be some growing pains with organizing.
If SaskTel Centre building can be refurbished itself by adding extension to the entrances to the building, have upper level patrons immediately take escalators to expanded second level concourse with added washrooms and concessions.



They could complete the full ring of suites around lower concourse and extend ribbon banner LED around the entire arena plus add the remaining seats in sections A, 24, & 36/37. Then I think SaskTel Centre could be set for another decade or two.

[nook]

Originally Posted by SaskScraper

I hear ya on the crazy crampness of SaskTel Centre, I avoid going there for events because of the hassle getting there on the cluster f*ck of roads in North end of city, the congestion in the arena concourse itself, men's washrooms on only 3 of the 4 corners of building (like — ) and the slow staff at concessions and parking attendants that hinder more than help with parking traffic flow.
I don't think an entirely new building is feasible at the moment, maybe after a decade with the Rush to see if they stay or not. These games at the arena are by far the largest regular scheduled indoor sporting events in Saskatchewan's history so its understandable there may be some growing pains with organizing.
If SaskTel Centre building can be refurbished itself by adding extension to the entrances to the building, have upper level patrons immediately take escalators to expanded second level concourse with added washrooms and concessions.



They could complete the full ring of suites around lower concourse and extend ribbon banner LED around the entire arena plus add the remaining seats in sections A, 24, & 36/37. Then I think SaskTel Centre could be set for another decade or two.

So much room out there to expand that way if they want. Really, they could add concourse space just around the arena. Nationwide Arena in Columbus kind of does that if you look at the overhead view on Google Maps/Satellite. Get rid of the bar upstairs, move it elsewhere, widen both lower and upper concourses, add amenities and the stadium will be alright.

But I think a lot of people are right, the biggest thing wrong with the Sasktel Centre is something that you can't fix... Location. Last night I went downtown to the bars after the Rush game and thought that it'd be great if you could just step outside of the arena and walk ten minutes to the nearest bar instead of having to drive downtown, park, and then go to establishments.

But if they choose to renovate the Sasktel Centre, could they please just get new seats. The double blue/dark blue/shiny plastic combination of seats isn't very appealing to the eyes, ha.

[dsmmace]

I had no issues at the Rush game, I went early, we got a great parking spot arranged by their parking staff. I then bought beers without waiting in line from the people walking around with the serving trays. I then went up to my second level seating. Went to the second level concourse, got a hotdog and more drinks without waiting in line again. I walked over to the concourse bar and used the bathroom there. We totally had to wait 20 minutes to exit the parking lot, oh well.

I had a great time, it was loud and exciting to watch. Dare I say better than watching the World Jr's?!

[saskatoonborn]

This seems to be a very polarized and complex issue. Im glad that Tourism Saskatoon is putting the pressure on City Hall to start considering these things early. As far as I Sask place had a number of things wrong with it, however they are mostly minor to moderate inconveniences depending who you ask. If we really catch on to lacross here and this viewership is here to stay then the issues become more of a concern.

I am completely for relocation in the 15 to 20 year mark. Maybe by then someone will take another look at Saskatoon as a NHL expantion or relocation. I hope its in North downtown. Its the only space large enough for both parking and the stadium plus it will soon be mostly available. The other minor inconvenience it might fix is where they put the new bus/rapid tranist terminal. Could combine the two projects. There could also be major acress points to 25th, 1st and 2nd, Idywyld and 29th.

[jigglysquishy]

If a new rink is built I wouldn't assume parking comes with it. By that time BRT will be at least a decade old and we'll have seen transit numbers significantly increase.

The NHL is a bit of a pipe dream though. They refuse to go to Hamilton and c Quebec and hesitated to go to Winnipeg. We would need to be a metro of 700,000 minimum before the conversation would even start. And the NHL would have to be at 40+ teams for us to qualify.

The NHL is 40+ years away at best. If we are to get one it's likely it won't even be in the Sask Place replacement, but the replacement's replacement.

[Echoes]

Café Noir on 2nd Ave has changed hands and is now Karma Café - with a lovely new sidewalk patio and bicycle coffee cart:



Source: http://wanderlustandwords.blogspot.ca/

[The S'toon Goon]

Noticed that this has popped up in on the corner of Millar and 42nd.
http://birminghams.ca/

I am not sure if it is the same building that has housed restaurants in the past (The Wooden Barrel maybe?) But that whole corner has kind of been jinxed for places lasting. Best of luck though. The one in Regina is pretty decent.