[Moncton] Centre Avenir Centre | 26.65m |~6 Fl | Completed

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Sounds great, can't wait to see it

I think part of what might have given the impression of smallness in previous pictures too was the lack of walking ring above/behind the stands... the existing coliseum has this area (though it is narrow) which makes the space look a bit wider/longer. However in the new structure, all of this space (and much more) is under/behind the stands. Much easier to get to as you walk up-or-down to get to the pass-through doors, not up to the top every time like at the current building. Basically the new structure is more vertical/stacked than the old.

[SevenSquared]

I find this image (source: Jonathan MacInnis from CTV Moncton's twitter feed) is one of the few that actually gives a good perspective of the size of the place. The lowest part of the roof is 60' as mentioned above, to give some perspective Scotiabank Centre in Halifax is 53' while Harbour Station in Saint John is 48'.

Looking forward to seeing this place with seats added. The bowl is somewhat steep as of around the 5th row, and then gets really steep as of the concourse level. Because of this, and the fact that the 1st row is elevated from ice level, the views at the top will be amazing, better than the upper decks in some arenas. Should be close to the same sight lines you get at the bottom of the 200 level at the Bell Centre.

[MonctonRad]

Nice photo.

I think the steepness of the seating in the bowl section, as well as the lack of an internal concourse does contribute to an optical illusion of smallness.

I think the photo above confirms this.

I find Vorkuta's impressions from his tour to be quite reassuring.

[MonctonRad]

It's now official - Moncton is going to make a play to host the 2019 Memorial Cup. Unfortunately we will be in direct competition with both Saint John and Halifax who are also planning bids.

Reason for bid:
Moncton - brand new arena
Halifax - 25th anniversary of the franchise
Saint John - successful franchise, has never hosted the Memorial Cup

CTV item on the bids:
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/hockey-face-o...g-in-hosting-2019-memorial-cup-1.3344939

The link includes a video showing some of the interior work on the events centre.

[MonctonRad]

Here are another few photos of the events centre (courtesy of the T&T), which again do justice to the true size and scope of the arena portion of the complex.







The value of these photos is that they include the corporate boxes and the press box levels on the east side of the arena, and this helps to convey just how high the ceiling is in this place. It will be nothing like the coliseum!!!

[MonctonRad]

Another set of new pictures showing interior progress on the events centre (sorry for the small size):


Interior concourse along the west side showing a concession booth and one of the entrances into the arena bowl section


Arena bowl facing the skybox & press box section


A (spacious) washroom. The events centre will have a ridiculous number of washrooms compared to the old coliseum, and will ensure an equal number of female and male facilities.


Main level of atrium


Second level of atrium, facing the arena bowl.


Work progressing on the outdoor plaza area

[MonctonRad]

March Construction Update:

Project by the Numbers:

- In addition to the two main locker rooms, there are six auxiliary locker rooms that can be used for tournaments and ice rental.
- The underground detention system currently being installed in the plaza space consists of over 1,500 m of pipe. The diameter of the pipe is 1.2 m and it can store over 1,700 cubic metres of storm water under the plaza which is then slowly released into the municipal underground infrastructure. This equals 1,700,000 litres of water or enough to fill 34 typical backyard swimming pools.
- In addition to women’s and men’s washrooms, two family washrooms will located on the concourse level.
- There are two exterior balconies off the suite level offering exceptional views of the plaza and the downtown area.
- Over 185,000 working hours have been spent building the facility to date.
- There are approximately 160 people working on the site daily.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITY - WHERE ARE WE?

– Metal studs are mounted on the suite and press levels and drywall is being installed.
– Steel studs and drywall are being installed on the concourse exterior walls, washrooms and concessions.
– Masonry work on the interior walls is continuing on the event (lowest) level.
– All bleacher concrete steps are completed.
– All concrete floors are completed with the exception of the rink slab and loading dock area.
– Spray fireproofing on the structural steel is nearing completion.
– Ventilation, plumbing and heating, sprinkler and elec- trical trades are installing services in the interior walls and ceilings.
– Siding trims and roof cap flashing is being installed.
– The Downtown Centre construction project is currently on schedule.

WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS?

- Work in the plaza will start with the storm water under- ground storage system.
- Work will start on the underground systems in the ice surface area (plaza space).
- Finished exterior siding will continue on the concourse level.
- Masonry will continue on the event (lowest) level.
- Drywall finishing and painting will continue on the concourse level.
- Drywall installation will be completed on the suite and press levels.
- Spray fireproofing will continue.
- Mechanical and electrical work will continue on all levels.

INTERESTING FACTS

1) The VIP entrance on the east side facing the plaza has direct access to the elevator accessing the suite and press level.
2) Each auxiliary locker room has a coaches and trainers area.
3) The front lobby has first aid and guest services areas. 4) Curtains will be installed at all openings to the bowl
to prevent light from entering during a show.
5) The event level has a pre-function/flex space off the event floor which is separate from the main flex space on the east side (facing the plaza). This pre-function space can host small groups before and after events.
6) All lights within the building are LED and the lights above the event floor are high performance LED. The latter are programmable via a wireless signal from a computer or tablet.



[fenwick16]

It is good to see the Events Centre taking shape.

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

6) All lights within the building are LED and the lights above the event floor are high performance LED. The latter are programmable via a wireless signal from a computer or tablet.

This makes me really interested to see what kind of effects they'll be capable of... if the LED lighting supports RGB colour, they could do some pretty impressive stuff with it.

[felip_ars]

According to Francois Le Blanc (Radio-Canada), Moncton will announce his intention of hosting the 2019 Brier.

It they get it, it would be the first "Major" event of the new Centre.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

According to Francois Le Blanc (Radio-Canada), Moncton will announce his intention of hosting the 2019 Brier.

It they get it, it would be the first "Major" event of the new Centre.

They're also sniffing around for the 2019 Memorial Cup, although I quite frankly believe they won't get it. Both Halifax and SJ are also in the running and I really think it's Saint John's turn........

[felip_ars]

Without any surprises, Moncton Wildcats's governor Jean Brousseau told TVA Sports during the Draft Lottery (which Moncton unluckily dropped to #3) that they'll be a strong runner for the next World Juniors.

With pretty much every provinces already hosting the tournament since 2010, it's pretty safe to say they'll be runner.

What I was wondering, is who would be their running mate...

With Halifax having the bigger arena, it could backfire to Moncton, as Halifax would probably be chosen to host the Medal round.

Maybe a deal between the 3 cities...Moncton and Saint John abandoned the race for Memorial Cup, leave it to Halifax, and the 2 concentrate on a joint bidding for the World Juniors

Would be a good couple of years to be a Juniors fan in the Maritimes.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton's downtown centre plaza to cost more than double original estimate
Council approves $4.3 million for plaza, city staff says project still within budget
By Tori Weldon, CBC News Posted: Apr 10, 2017 9:29 PM AT
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2017 9:29 PM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-downtown-centre-plaza-1.4064851

At a special council meeting on Monday, Moncton city council approved $4.3 million be spent on the plaza in front of the still-under construction downtown centre.

A year ago, then city manager Jacques Dubé estimated the plaza would cos, "about $2 million." While the approved amount is more than double that, city staff say $4.3 million won't put the total cost of the project above budgeted $104 million.

Isabelle LeBlanc said more the accurate number is the larger $4.3 million because last year's estimate wasn't based on itemized costs.

This is dangerous stuff. By reading the full article, it is clear they are planning some accounting gymnastics to say that the project will still remain "on budget", but I don't really believe this. If there is the perception in the community that costs for this project might be running out of control, support could evaporate. Right now I know a lot of people who are far more concerned about their property taxes than they are about the events centre. Don't get me wrong, I'm still an enthusiastic supporter of the project, but the planners and developers have to be very careful about stepping on the public goodwill over this development.......

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Moncton's downtown centre plaza to cost more than double original estimate
Council approves $4.3 million for plaza, city staff says project still within budget
By Tori Weldon, CBC News Posted: Apr 10, 2017 9:29 PM AT
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2017 9:29 PM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-downtown-centre-plaza-1.4064851





This is dangerous stuff. By reading the full article, it is clear they are planning some accounting gymnastics to say that the project will still remain "on budget", but I don't really believe this. If there is the perception in the community that costs for this project might be running out of control, support could evaporate. Right now I know a lot of people who are far more concerned about their property taxes than they are about the events centre. Don't get me wrong, I'm still an enthusiastic supporter of the project, but the planners and developers have to be very careful about stepping on the public goodwill over this development.......

First I like the updated render here for the plaza, it looks like this will be an amazing spot for people to gather. The project is esthetically pleasing, I just hope the plaza ends up looking some what similar to this. It's also nice to see some on street parking around the arena, there is not very many, but if they could some how designate those spots during the hours of 5pm to 10pm for disabled parking there would be some happy campers. ( that time frame would be for sporting events and other events)

A response to the possibility of losing support, at this point I don't think it would matter, the building is already well under construction and the plaza plans have begun. I think any cost overruns could have more of an affect on the next local council and mayoral elections, but once it's built and people begin to enjoy everything it offers, their tunes will change again.

[L'homard]

CBC has taken a very negative slant on this development that borders on conspiring to turn people against it. Shame on them! this final is well within the contingency money set aside to cover the final design of the plaza. There is no cost overrun. NOthing is over budget. Another example of CBC Moncton trying to generate clicks via half-truths and alarmist headlines. Do we want a showpiece for our city, or decades of dreaming about what we could have done with this plaza? Had they cheaped out on this, most of us would be regretting it for a generation to come.

[BlackYear]

Speaking of cranes in the FiveFive Queen thread, it's funny how we, or at least I, completely forgot about the Event's Centre crane.

Seems like it was only yesterday when this crane was towering over Moncton, and all of a sudden, it quietly disappeared into the sunset.

[MonctonRad]

Events Centre as seen from the top floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel (from Mayor Dawn Arnold"s Facebook page).



Lots of heavy duty work going on in the outdoor plaza area. I believe this is for the subsurface storm water retention system.

[IronRobi]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Events Centre as seen from the top floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel (from Mayor Dawn Arnold"s Facebook page).



Lots of heavy duty work going on in the outdoor plaza area. I believe this is for the subsurface storm water retention system.

And here is another angle taken yesterday from on top of the AllStream building. This picks up almost where the other one ends.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by IronRobi

And here is another angle taken yesterday from on top of the AllStream building. This picks up almost where the other one ends.

This side of the building facing Main is quite ugly, I hope that lot gets developed ASAP.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

This side of the building facing Main is quite ugly, I hope that lot gets developed ASAP.

AGREED!