Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[elly63]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Borderline racism.

Just curious how you interpreted that because I don't know WTF you're talking about.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by osmo

That picture is misleading as that is the family section. The large majority of the crowd was older people, or families with kids, typical CFL demographic.

Most of the pictures I've seen are like the one below. I would hardly call them older people unless the people posting are 13 years old. I did see a pic of two 50 plus guys sitting alone in a corner of the stadium.

The problem we have here is one of agendas. There are many TFC fans who hate the Argos and lie, cheat and steal to demean the Argos and wish them death. I have no use for them. While i am a fan of the CFL most CFL fans have been through the hard times and are generally not delusional, we know the issues, nobody has to spell them out. So, I'm for truth in advertising. Small pre season crowd, yup, new owners giving away lots of tickets for this game, yup but by most accounts it seemed to go over well.

Glad it was not televised, and I thought it was bad scheduling (Ticats twice in a row) but the big game vs the same team is coming up. Let's see how that fares.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Actually it was a largely 50-ish age crowd, they papered the hell out of it (10 free tickets to season seat holders and other groups), this was one of a few TDSB school groups that came down for free.

I'm looking at an enlarged photo and can see two sections over from the section in the forefront and I can see only one balding head in each section.

I have no doubt that as it was pre season it may not have been a great crowd or that the tail gate wasn't perfect but as I said we're getting the story here from two very biased observers (one of whom wants the CFL dead and the other isn't much better)

[Berklon]

I really never understood the whole tailgait thing. It's huge with the NFL, but it's really lost on me.

I like to drink a beer and eat a BBQ burger or hoggie before the game - but the idea of standing around in a parking lot with a bunch of strangers doesn't appeal to me... especially in cold weather from Oct.-Jan. in northern US cities. At least with the CFL, most of their season is during warmer weather - so it would be more appealing. But I'd rather do those things while watching the game in a patio setting at the game... or at home.

[king10]

Originally Posted by osmo

I can confirm this.

Our group worked the game yesterday so I was there behind the scenes.

Argos only sold 8,000 tickets for the game, gave away 8,000 tickets. Attendance was ballpark'd at 12,000.

That picture is misleading as that is the family section. The large majority of the crowd was older people, or families with kids, typical CFL demographic.

The "Tailgating" I heard had some people there. But due to the police state mentality with liquor laws in this province I don't know how well it will do long term over the whole summer. Apparently only 30 cars showed up (Max is 60 I believe), and it was half full. The set up is like a holding pen all caged in and I was told there was more cops there than people. They loaded up with police, because well... its Toronto... of course, and the Police love getting that on-duty money.

I actually noticed a uptick in promotion for the game. You could see that improvement from the Braley dark ages. You heard about the Argos and saw Ads everywhere. But this didn't translate into many new fans checking the place out.

On my way to go them nobody knew about the Argos game in downtown Toronto. My Uber driver thought I was a player for the Argos for how much I was talking to him about the game. When I tell folks that TFC is more relevant in central Toronto you all laugh but any TFC game you see jerseys out and about and I can chat up most folks and they will know that TFC is playing that day at the very minimum. Nobody had a clue even about the Argos game. Some did not even know they moved to BMO Field..


.... (incoming rant)...

This is my beef that I can for-see with the season. The Argos hired up a large group to handle this re-brand. But once again I still think the team is tone deaf, and blind to the reality that is in-front of them.


First, you know it is difficult to offer a true tailgate experience with Ontario police state liquor laws, why attempt it?

Next, using the "tailgating" to lure young fans is silly. Many of the condo dwellers who live on the waterfront and in Liberty Village DON'T OWN CARS. Plus if they do why would they go drive the car 2km to go pay $30-40 for parking when they could just walk to the game?

Next, The largely suburban fan base that arrived via GO Train. They won't drive much either. Many of these fans would be the type to try it out. I can assume many of these older fans have had a taste of real tailgating in the USA and may get turned off the the overbearing atmosphere that is present here.

Lastly, It would of been much more smart just to have a "outdoor party" make it into a day club before the game with music and cheap drinks. Bring in DJs who are popular in the Toronto scene that would bring out younger people. Have some food trucks and sell some beers. Not that hard to do.

So in short you hate the cfl and love tfc

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Berklon

I really never understood the whole tailgait thing. It's huge with the NFL, but it's really lost on me.

I like to drink a beer and eat a BBQ burger or hoggie before the game - but the idea of standing around in a parking lot with a bunch of strangers doesn't appeal to me... especially in cold weather from Oct.-Jan. in northern US cities. At least with the CFL, most of their season is during warmer weather - so it would be more appealing. But I'd rather do those things while watching the game in a patio setting at the game... or at home.

I guess part of the idea is to socialize and make new friends over a common interest.

An idea I thought was neat back in the 30s (the Depression) that you'll never see today is this.

Like the four dollar beer, normalize food prices on burgers and dogs and market it as having your lunch/dinner at the stadium. Of course you'll never get reasonable prices today, but during the Depression many people would spend what money they had just to see a baseball game and get a hot dog as their only meal of the day.

You're always going to have snobs who think it is beneath them and they'll want the high priced fare but it would be neat if they set up a giant grill and deep fryer (on one of those end zone party decks) for a burger and fries for five bucks. I can dream can't I?

But with price points being what they are they know they don't have to do that to entice people to games.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by king10

so in short you hate the cfl and love tfc

Bingo!

[osmo]

Originally Posted by elly63

Well Calvin, I think I'll wait for a less biased observer to get the story. And it was only a pre season game and hopefully it got a few bugs out.

I am giving you fact here. I don't care what you think but I provided the information because I have first hand knowledge of it being in the industry.

Back to the program....

Only 8K seats were sold. I was surprised myself because on Ticketmaster it appeared more seats were not available. We were worried if we would be understaffed but when we got to BMO and ask for a gate quote they (MLSE) said "8K sold, 8K give away, expect 12K for gates".

So again think it is bias it just simply information. People will think it is a conspiracy if the Argos don't sell out every game this year when they averaged 12-14k last season. Likely had the same # for last year's pre-season opener as well.

Overall though. The fans at the game were great.

Different crowd then what we deal with but I enjoy these folks better. They are more like the folks I grew up with in Sask; just humble hardworking Canadians who want a beer, burger, and some football.

The funny thing is the design quirk that put the locker room in the North East section of the stadium was very popular with the kids. Many kids wanted to leave the seats early with the parents to go see the players leave the field.

If The Argos are smart they read this and install some type of animation/activity station near where the players come out. Currently there is a KIA car in place for TFC and it was tarped off. If they could move that out of the way they could do something interesting. In Dallas (Arlington) the Cowboys more or less go through the a club section onto the field. If I can recall, Edmonton is going to have something similar with the Oilers new rink.

Two Tid-bits:

First, a major design flaw of the facility that is not getting reported, which IMO shows 100% of this being a hodge podge renovation for football, is that due to the field expansion on the North-end the concourse and service entry is now blocked off. The facility is no longer 100% wheelchair accessible and this will have to be fixed due to Provincial legislation which is forcing any public type facility to have full accessibility by 202(2?). MLSE when they originally went with the renovation wanted a roof and full concourse connectivity and using that to get ahead of accessibility requirements. This will have to be addressed somehow in the off-season.

Last tid-bit:

The Argos should have their training facility at Lamport. Might as well double down on the being in the area and have the players all around that community. The Argos should hire me. I could easily draft them up a plan for success. They are trusting tone-deaf typical Toronto "Suits" to make them up a plan which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you ask.

[speedog]

Could one of you please create a football versus soccer bitchfest thread so as to get this thread back to where it should be?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by osmo

I am giving you fact here. I don't care what you think but I provided the information because I have first hand knowledge of it being in the industry.

Just curious, how were popcorn sales?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by osmo

Different crowd then what we deal with but I enjoy these folks better. They are more like the folks I grew up with in Sask; just humble hardworking Canadians who want a beer, burger, and some football.

The Argos should hire me. I could easily draft them up a plan for success. They are trusting tone-deaf typical Toronto "Suits" to make them up a plan which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you ask.

The first paragraph was interesting, what is the usual crowd? Is it "the entitled, selfish, insecure souls who remain livid at football, the North American version, occupying their playpen by the lake", that Frank Zicarelli wrote of.

That was hilarious (and true) but not necessary to write in the article.

As for hiring you, Calvin, those tone deaf MLSE suits or 2/3 MLSE (in this case) do know about one thing, making money. Their teams having usually been losers historically but they can generate money.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by elly63

I guess part of the idea is to socialize and make new friends over a common interest.

I guess I'm not looking to make new friends. I can barely stand the ones I currently have.

An idea I thought was neat back in the 30s (the Depression) that you'll never see today is this.

Speaking from experience? Exactly how old are you?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by speedog

Could one of you please create a football versus soccer bitchfest thread so as to get this thread back to where it should be?

Happy now?

• Video Link

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Berklon

I guess I'm not looking to make new friends. I can barely stand the ones I currently have.

Me too!

Originally Posted by Berklon

Speaking from experience? Exactly how old are you?

Getting older and more crotchetty, no, got that idea from that great series Ken Burns' Baseball. If I was that old, as a buddy of mine says, I'd have one foot in the grave and the other on the banana peel.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by elly63

Just curious how you interpreted that because I don't know WTF you're talking about.

Oh, you can't read jokes in text form. Ok.

Originally Posted by 25grapes

^ No doubt the win against Vancouver and national coverage on TSN will have a positive impact for the Fury. I'm hoping that some other Canadian cities will join the league i.e. Calgary and Hamilton.

K-W United, Thunder Bay Chill, WSA Winnipeg, Calgary Foothills FC, and Victoria Highlanders are the next closest teams to Ottawa and Edmonton in the NASL. Those teams are in the PDL (fourth tier of North American football). Canada has a presence in the third tier USL but they are the second-squads to the Canadian MLS teams. I'm not sure of which Canadian teams could make the jump from PDL to NASL to join Ottawa and Edmonton but I imagine playing up in the USL for a few years would be a better jump in terms of quality and competition.

I would like to see more teams have an opportunity at the Canadian Championship, though. Currently the qualification for this event pits Edmonton and Ottawa in a single qualifying round. I'd like to see a first and second qualifying round where the top two teams from the PDL are pit against Ottawa/Edmonton, with the winners of each match then playing for a spot in the CC.

Alternatively you could have a larger group stage if you got up to 8 clubs, but I can't imagine how thrilled the MLS squads would be about having to play against fourth tier teams home and away. I imagine CC expansion isn't in the decks until this new Canadian Premier League kicks off.

Originally Posted by EdFromOttawa

Awesome! Living in Ottawa I feel like the Fury have really caught on as a fixture in the sporting landscape. There are Fury banners and ads all over Bank Street (Glebe area). The big videoboards at Lansdowne Park constantly blare Fury commercials. Every game televised and streamed online. Major newspapers always carrying big stories. I see tons of Fury gear all over town. Rising attendance.

Indeed. They're getting a lot of exposure. I'm guessing the REDBLACKS will take over the publicity front (same owners) when their seasons starts but if the trend continues through the Fall Season the Fury will set an attendance record for the club this year. Rising attendance and exposure is great.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Oh, you can't read jokes in text form. Ok.

Still haven't a clue what you're talking about, I'm old, enlighten me. Or it wasn't much of a joke.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by elly63

Happy now?

Nope and it's quite apparent that your little attempt did nothing to bring his thread back to where it should be.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by speedog

Nope and it's quite apparent that your little attempt did nothing to bring his thread back to where it should be.

And your contribution is what again?

[mistercorporate]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Oh, you can't read jokes in text form. Ok.


K-W United, Thunder Bay Chill, WSA Winnipeg, Calgary Foothills FC, and Victoria Highlanders are the next closest teams to Ottawa and Edmonton in the NASL. Those teams are in the PDL (fourth tier of North American football). Canada has a presence in the third tier USL but they are the second-squads to the Canadian MLS teams. I'm not sure of which Canadian teams could make the jump from PDL to NASL to join Ottawa and Edmonton but I imagine playing up in the USL for a few years would be a better jump in terms of quality and competition.

I would like to see more teams have an opportunity at the Canadian Championship, though. Currently the qualification for this event pits Edmonton and Ottawa in a single qualifying round. I'd like to see a first and second qualifying round where the top two teams from the PDL are pit against Ottawa/Edmonton, with the winners of each match then playing for a spot in the CC.

Alternatively you could have a larger group stage if you got up to 8 clubs, but I can't imagine how thrilled the MLS squads would be about having to play against fourth tier teams home and away. I imagine CC expansion isn't in the decks until this new Canadian Premier League kicks off.


Indeed. They're getting a lot of exposure. I'm guessing the REDBLACKS will take over the publicity front (same owners) when their seasons starts but if the trend continues through the Fall Season the Fury will set an attendance record for the club this year. Rising attendance and exposure is great.

My understanding is when the CPL teams arrive there will be a CONCACAF berth for them and the NASL teams and one for the MLS teams. The only reason Canada doesnt have 2 berths is due to not having enough top level teams. Even Honduras and Trinidad have two berths.

[elly63]

Argos facilities at BMO