Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by JHikka

If you're talking about unique stadiums in Canada the only two that come to mind are SkyDome and the Big O, and maybe BC Place. The Montreal Forum and Maple Leaf Gardens would probably top the list in terms of uniqueness, history, and nostalgia - but we have this thing where we either destroy them or render them a mere shell of their former selves.

I'd say BC Place is definitely a unique building, thanks to its current state (roof + renovations) as well as its history. I'd say an argument can be made for TD Place given the quality of the new stands and the "arena inside a stadium" uniqueness of the old stands, but it'd be a hard one since those old stands just aren't very nice.

Canada has always seemed to prioritize function over architecture when we build stadiums and arenas. Outside of the three JHikka mentioned (and the Saddledome if we're including arenas), I can't think of any truly unique buildings in the country.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by esquire

Commonwealth is no different in that regard... to a football fan, there is a strong association with the powerhouse dynasty Eskimos of 1978-82

[Hardhatdan]

Originally Posted by elly63

Are those grass corners? Bring that back... picnic seating

[Black Star]

Ha yes.....Brings back memories of a couple of us as young ushers at Commonwealth posted at these corners.

Yes back then we could tackle the grass offenders Good times!

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Black Star

Ha yes.....Brings back memories of a couple of us as young ushers at Commonwealth posted at these corners.

Yes back then we could tackle the grass offenders Good times!

Man, Commonwealth always had a reputation for well-protected grass surfaces, but I didn't realize it went as far as the grass patches in the grandstands!

[FFX-ME]

The baseball stadium in Ottawa also has a picnic area:



I'd say it also is a very nice stadium, one of the nicest in the country:

[esquire]

That park in Ottawa was conceived and built during peak baseball in the 90s, when Jays fever was running wild nationwide and minor league teams across Canada were drawing well. Sort of a physical monument to that era.

Definitely a nice looking stadium, though. The modern design was pretty bold considering that almost every ballpark from the 90s was made to look like some sort of theme park faux-antique nostalgia piece.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by esquire

That park in Ottawa was conceived and built during peak baseball in the 90s, when Jays fever was running wild nationwide and minor league teams across Canada were drawing well. Sort of a physical monument to that era.

It's a bit concrete but still a decent stadium. Too bad it saw little use for so many years. Although the Ottawa Champions of the Can-Am League (I think?) have been there for a few seasons. Not sure what their attendance is like. The won the league championship this past season.

It's never sure that the park will have a long-term usefulness.

[FFX-ME]

Their average attendance during the regular season was 2,454 last year which isn't too too bad but still low considering this stadium seats over 10k people.

I went to the last of the Ottawa Lynx's games. It was amazing, the atmosphere with a packed stadium.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by FFX-ME

Their average attendance during the regular season was 2,454 last year which isn't too too bad but still low considering this stadium seats over 10k people.

I went to the last of the Ottawa Lynx's games. It was amazing, the atmosphere with a packed stadium.

I believe the defunct Ottawa Lynx still hold the International League (AAA) single season attendance record. In their first years, they'd average close to 10,000 fans a game over a 70-80 game schedule.

As esquire says, these were good years for baseball in this region as the Blue Jays were winning World Series and the Expos (their parent club for the first years) were also very competitive.

Things tailed off eventually for the Lynx and attendance plummeted to even less than what the Champions got last year (and the Can-Am is a far less prestigious league than the IL).

[esquire]

The number of minor league teams in Canada plummeted quickly after those glory years subsided. I'm fairly sure the Winnipeg Goldeyes must be one of, if not the last minor league teams still around in Canada from the 90s.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's a bit concrete but still a decent stadium. Too bad it saw little use for so many years. Although the Ottawa Champions of the Can-Am League (I think?) have been there for a few seasons. Not sure what their attendance is like. The won the league championship this past season.

2,454 for the season. Third after Rockland and Quebec despite having a stadium twice size of the others.

3,289 and 2,412 out for the two games of the Championship series against Rockland in September. Rockland got 2,015, 1,247, and 3,314 for their Championship series games.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by bkd

In a dictionary, under hyperbole, you'll find this post.

Really? Obsolete means when something is no longer produced because it is outdated. There is not 1 city in Canada (or the US for that matter) that will have looked to Commonwealth for ideas on how to build their new stadium. Not in the past 20 years.

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by UPP

Really? Obsolete means when something is no longer produced because it is outdated. There is not 1 city in Canada (or the US for that matter) that will have looked to Commonwealth for ideas on how to build their new stadium. Not in the past 20 years.

IGF is basically a smaller newer version of it lol

[bkd]

Originally Posted by UPP

Really? Obsolete means when something is no longer produced because it is outdated. There is not 1 city in Canada (or the US for that matter) that will have looked to Commonwealth for ideas on how to build their new stadium. Not in the past 20 years.

You act as if Commonwealth is the same stadium it is today as when it was built. Case in point, the face-lift in 2009 that added the field house, locker rooms, aquatic center and fitness center amongst other things were and still remain world class on par with multiple NFL franchises. The stadium has been modernized and kept up to date in other areas as well, seating, audio/visual etc. It may not have the luxury boxes, be as architecturally/aesthetically current as today's new stadia, but that doesn't mean it's obsolete in every facet.


It's still the best stadium in Canada alongside BC Place for my money, even taking into account IGF and New Mosaic.

[Peter North]

Stadia? Really????

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Peter North

Stadia? Really????

This is the proper plural term for "stadium"

I gather you weren't much of a fan of classics in school.........

[FFX-ME]

Originally Posted by bkd

It's still the best stadium in Canada alongside BC Place for my money, even taking into account IGF and New Mosaic.

Ummm... The Olympic stadium and Skydome are by far the most spectacular.

[drummer_god]

^ Bahahahaha

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by drummer_god

^ Bahahahaha

I wouldn't really write off his claim. The big O doesn't hold a big place in the Montreal sports landscape today BUT the building itself was a phenom back in the 70's. The skydome was the first of it's kind back in 89. I'm sure T.O. wishes it could go back and something more along the lines of Seattle but that shouldn't take away from how amazing the dome is.

Commonwealth is amazing. It's truly a beautiful building and could quite easily be brought up to today's standards. It's actually equally if not more sound in terms of technology than IGF in almost all aspects. New bigger scoreboard and sound system (like mentioned above) plus Full LED rings, WIFI capabilities. The 2010 addition brought things like clubs ect. It may not be as refined and sleek as the new ones but if I had to pick THF,TD or commonwealth ill go with The big green older guy every time. I went to an eskimos game a month ago with 33,000 people and had a blast.