New Downtown Calgary Arena

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by bt04ku

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/al...e-than-just-a-new-arena/article36521316/

In the interview, Mr. King said it was "inappropriate" for someone to leak the document. "Somebody was playing fast and loose with their ethics and I think that's a damn shame," he said.

Yeah, real ethical dilemma that somebody would expose the public to the slam dunk of a deal the Flames were generously offering to the city.

That's quite the indictment!

I suspect the Calgary Herald will come out with another fake poll tomorrow to counter.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by suburbia

That's quite the indictment!

I suspect the Calgary Herald will come out with another fake poll tomorrow to counter.

What do ya know - that is exactly what they did! They have also ignored completely what the Globe and Mail uncovered.

Best quote to date from Bill Smith:
"If I Had a Plan That Would be Great"

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by suburbia

What do ya know - that is exactly what they did!

Best quote to date from Bill Smith:
"If I Had a Plan That Would be Great"

Yeah I still can’t believe he said that. He’s Ralph Wiggum.

[suburbia]

Flames facilitating massive advertisements for Bill Smith at the hockey game:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLlz26fVoAABeXR.jpg
via Dr. Jason Ribeiro's public Twitter feed

[Socguy]

Good podcast from CBC regarding how cities fund arenas:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ca...lainer-eyeopener-extra-podcast-1.4342529

[CrossedTheTracks]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Flames facilitating massive advertisements for Bill Smith at the hockey game:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLlz26fVoAABeXR.jpg
via Dr. Jason Ribeiro's public Twitter feed

"Facilitating"??? Got any proof that this is anything more than a "random" advertiser paying the standard advertising rates?

I'm not so naive to insist that there "cannot" be anything fishy going on here, but I have a real hate-on for unsubstantiated accusations, even when I don't otherwise support Bill Smith.

Edit: yeah, I'd love to see Smith's donor list too. A little honesty goes a long way to establishing trust, candidates...

[O-tacular]

If Smith is elected and gives CSEC their goody basket of demands for a new arena I will burn my Flames jersey. I can’t stomach cheering for a business that inserted itself into an election to overthrow the mayor because he won’t give them a free ride on the taxpayer’s dime.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by CrossedTheTracks

"Facilitating"??? Got any proof that this is anything more than a "random" advertiser paying the standard advertising rates?

I'm not so naive to insist that there "cannot" be anything fishy going on here, but I have a real hate-on for unsubstantiated accusations, even when I don't otherwise support Bill Smith.

Edit: yeah, I'd love to see Smith's donor list too. A little honesty goes a long way to establishing trust, candidates...

Well, they are allowing his ads to run, would they allow any of his competitors to run theirs? I can't prove they don't obviously, but I think we all know they wouldn't.

Originally Posted by O-tacular

If Smith is elected and gives CSEC their goody basket of demands for a new arena I will burn my Flames jersey. I can’t stomach cheering for a business that inserted itself into an election to overthrow the mayor because he won’t give them a free ride on the taxpayer’s dime.

I think that's a bit extreme, businesses always insert themselves into politics in this city / province. The home builders were the ones inserting themselves into the election last time. When the next provincial election happens you will see lots of businesses come out in support of the UCP over Notley and I doubt there will be much subtlety about it.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Well, they are allowing his ads to run, would they allow any of his competitors to run theirs? I can't prove they don't obviously, but I think we all know they wouldn't.



I think that's a bit extreme, businesses always insert themselves into politics in this city / province. The home builders were the ones inserting themselves into the election last time. When the next provincial election happens you will see lots of businesses come out in support of the UCP over Notley and I doubt there will be much subtlety about it.

Yeah, I can hardly wait.

[Socguy]

Mayoral candidates weigh in on their plans for an arena!:

https://flamesnation.ca/2017/10/10/calgarys-mayoral-candidates-weigh-in-on-the-arena/

The one that had me laughing the most was Larry Heather. He want's the city to pay for half the cost of a new arena plus donate the land and take care of the rest of the infrastructure to boot! I guess that's where he plans to spend the cycle track money...

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Socguy

Mayoral candidates weigh in on their plans for an arena!:

https://flamesnation.ca/2017/10/10/calgarys-mayoral-candidates-weigh-in-on-the-arena/

The one that had me laughing the most was Larry Heather. He want's the city to pay for half the cost of a new arena plus donate the land and take care of the rest of the infrastructure to boot! I guess that's where he plans to spend the cycle track money...

Bill Smith was just as vague as I expected. He literally said nothing that wouldn't allow him to find "fair" terms with the Flames that would give them way more than they are getting currently.

[bt04ku]

Concept (unofficially) released. The creator of the 'Inverted Bowl' is the designer for CalgaryNEXT.

http://www.rossetti.com/sites/default/files/rossetti_inverted_bowl_information_crossetti.jpg
(Picture url linked due to size)



• Video Link


I don't like it.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by bt04ku

Concept (unofficially) released. The creator of the 'Inverted Bowl' is the designer for CalgaryNEXT.

I don't like it.

Looks amazingly cool to me. What they say about the upper bowl is very true. If this is what the Flames want it gets my vote. Is the cost supposed to be lower than more traditional design arenas?

[bt04ku]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

Is the cost supposed to be lower than more traditional design arenas?

It'd be the first of its kind so, no.

[YYCguys]

I like it! I’m often in the upper bowl so it’s hard to see the action clearly. This concept would definitely improve the experience!

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by bt04ku

It'd be the first of its kind so, no.

According to the infographic you linked to construction and operating costs would be reduced. I'd love to see an arena with this design explored if they ever decide to go ahead and build a new one.

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

Looks amazingly cool to me. What they say about the upper bowl is very true. If this is what the Flames want it gets my vote. Is the cost supposed to be lower than more traditional design arenas?

I think the operating cost is much lower, but I don't think you want to be the first to do something like this.

[suburbia]

I think the slight incremental overhanging is somewhat novel, but the concept of going more vertical by breaking into multiple tiers and not extending as far out to conserve footprint is not new. It seems akin to many a concert hall. Heck, even Shakespear's Globe Theatre had three tiers instead of one or two, so as to a.) limit overall footprint (not extending outward past the first tier), and b.) allow people higher up to be closer to the action.

Here's the thing though (for all who might be feeling this will allow getting closer to the action in "cheaper" upper tier seats) with all of the concert halls designed in this manner, the higher seats where you are still physically close but have elevation so as to see the entire action unfold, are actually more expensive. That's why in the Globe Theatre the royalty sat higher. In the Jack Singer the Director's Circle is more expensive than the ground seats it hangs over. What will effectively happen with this model for hockey, and it is inevitable, is that there will be way more higher level boxes and expensive seats, and that will be supported by their potentially private concourses. The narrow ends of the Air Canada Centre are exactly this way - and they are expensive and out of reach.

I actually like the concept at a philosophical level. Reality is for me, I can't afford the games now, and this will just make them way more out of reach. My only hope would be getting free tickets from all those CSEC suppliers who don't want season tickets but are made to buy them as a requirement to bid on contracts. Ever wonder why so many of the expensive seats are empty at games? They were sold by strong arming people who don't care for hockey.

The "innovation" I'd like is to ensure perhaps 25% of seats are sold week of the game, and that of those, half are below $50. I remember when the Saddledome opened and we had what was termed "nose bleed" seats. They were $7 each, and if you got 20 of them they were $5 each and your group would get recognized on the big screen during intermission. I remember a buddy of mine coordinating that - and we were very excited during the break when it said "Such and Such and friends" on the screen. Those went away because of the Flames ownership, so as to push more people into expensive seats. Oh to have the days of youth and excitement at the games again! I really think they are gone for ever - fully replaced by greed.

[bt04ku]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

I like it! I’m often in the upper bowl so it’s hard to see the action clearly. This concept would definitely improve the experience!

My concern is that those are some pretty high angles to be looking at things, and isn't how concert setups are designed. This might actually create a similar problem to the Saddledome where the unique design makes it unfeasible (or inefficient) for the major acts.

Not to mention the way the upper levels are tiered, creating a luxury suite style setup, means many of those tickets become higher prices relative to their equivalents at any other arena. So not only are ticket prices going up, these would go up even more.

[patm]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

I like it! I’m often in the upper bowl so it’s hard to see the action clearly. This concept would definitely improve the experience!

Your upper bowl tickets won't exist in this stadium or will be at the very top, behind the nets.

Keep that in mind.