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

[esquire]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Many people see all the surface parking downtown and assume parking in the core can't be an issue - there is after all literally an ocean of parking in the core.

The problem is that essentially all that blight of surface parking is virtually inaccessible for casual users because it is leased 24/7 to downtown office workers. They may work 9-5, but the parking space they have paid for is theirs on a full time 24/7/365 basis, thus "blocking" the space from anyone else using it. The result is that the ocean of surface parking in the core is a dead zone in the evenings and on the weekend.

Speaking from my experience in Winnipeg, I can tell you that when the MTS Centre was built, a lot of downtown lots changed from 24/7 reserved monthly parking to 6 am-6pm monthly parking. And then when the Jets came again, a lot of the remaining lots changed to that model as well. You can still get 24/7 monthly parking, but it's priced at a premium in most lots which ensures that only those who genuinely need to reserve a spot 24/7 actually do so.

I suspect this will happen to some degree in Moncton... parking lot operators aren't going to leave the event money on the table, especially when most of the spaces are going unused after everyone goes home for the day at 5 pm. For the most part, the 9-5 office users won't care if they don't have reserved evening parking.

[Nashe]

The 64/64B routes that pass by the hospital (and within 30s of walk of my house) go right to the DEC, so I think I'll use that when I wanna go to a game/show. I've paid employee parking downtown, but the bus actually might be faster... Looks like a 13 min trip downtown (64B) and 10 min back (64).

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Budyser

I'm in my mid 50's and live within visual site of the old MCA Curling Club. I will have no issues walking to the DEC in -10 winter weather. I actually look forward to walking to the DEC in any weather conditions. Sept 15, I'll be walking to see Chicago at the DEC.

Let's not forget, the majority of the events will be scheduled at 19:00 or later. This will not conflict with the working day people who work downtown or attend events at Victoria park.

Moncton Coliseum has 1,995 parking spots for a 6500 seat arena. DEC has 10,000 capacity for concerts and 8500 seats. So DEC needs what...2,995 parking spots?

Everyone who goes to an event at the Coliseum needs to drive there, unless you live in the back neighborhood. The DEC has a much larger walking distance customer base than the Coliseum. How many? Who knows! Time will tell.

The DEC has access to one of the major transit hubs right next to their front door. Coliseum, zero or maybe one bus.

So how many will walk, bike, bus, car pool, fly themselves there by drones (future transportation), and reduce the need of a parking spot? Who knows....time will tell.

To Answer this:
People tend to park whereever there is Room example. Ayer's parking lot, in front of 320Killam Drive, and even so far as to park following the fence or even on the sides of the tracks.

They did indeed pack in like sardines. I've often seen cars park in the lot at the colisium but blocking the way, or even double parked as well.

[felip_ars]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

The 64/64B routes that pass by the hospital (and within 30s of walk of my house) go right to the DEC, so I think I'll use that when I wanna go to a game/show. I've paid employee parking downtown, but the bus actually might be faster... Looks like a 13 min trip downtown (64B) and 10 min back (64).

The problem with that route (and pretty much all of them), is that they stop at 10PM, which is usually around the middle of the headliner set (most arenas have a 11pm curfew).

Plus they'll be useless during Sunday or Holidays.

An idea I was thinking would be to have the major routes stop at the DEC every 15m between 11 and midnight.
It would make people attending shows not rushing to the exit to catch the last 11pm bus, and it would now give an alternative for people wanting a night downtown, have a drink without the risk of being busted.

Im sure it would be popular with UdM students (potential future Downtown residents) who wants to enjoy the Downtown, and return to their apartment not too late without having to be group to split cab cost.

No idea about the extra cost for it, but I'm sure it would it would be something that grow progressively once people start using it.

[Monctoncore]

The exciting thing about bus routes is that they can be changed, they can be modified and the hours can be extended. I can see certain routes extending their hours, to help with people looking for an affordable alternative to getting downtown. Obviously parking is an issues that needs to be fixed and here’s to hoping the Winnipeg model mentioned above is used. The lots owners decide who gets what and for how long, so if they decided 6 am to 6pm or whatever it is, the people have to deal with it, because at the end of the day where else will they park? They can’t boycott one lot if they all offer the same deals.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Obviously parking is an issues that needs to be fixed and here’s to hoping the Winnipeg model mentioned above is used. The lots owners decide who gets what and for how long, so if they decided 6 am to 6pm or whatever it is, the people have to deal with it, because at the end of the day where else will they park? They can’t boycott one lot if they all offer the same deals.

I agree. If the private lot owners got together and agreed on a model where downtown employees would have their spots guaranteed from 6AM-6PM, thus freeing up these spots for evening and weekend casual customers, most of the parking problems in the core could disappear overnight.

Of course, there will always be complicating circumstances. Some downtown employees work odd hours, and might require spaces during the evening. I imagine that a new system of surveillance and enforcement would be required by lot owners too. Right now, the owners just lease their lots and contract the booting companies for enforcement. That's pretty simple for them. If they were to have casual evening parking on their lots, then they would be looking at having lot attendants collecting fees, or an automated gate system of some kind. Of course, there would be increased revenues that could be used to offset this expense, but there would be a new layer of complexity to their business model.......

[MonctonRad]

Interesting perspective of the rear end of the new events centre (from Mayor Dawn Arnold's FB page).



Canada Street has been completely paved and sidewalks installed. I see that there are also some decorative streetlights as well.

It is disappointing though that there are still wooden power poles along the south side sidewalk. This would have been a perfect time to bury the electrical infrastructure and have it gone for good........

[Mattyyy]

I noticed this morning they are paving the Highfield Street extension and final landscaping is being completed. Trees are going in and grass being put down. Looking great!

[MonctonRad]

One of the nicest photos yet of the Events Centre highlighting the plaza in front.


Andre Audet Photography



Next step will be installing the trellises.

[ScoutDog]

When is the piece of art installed. Grand opening night?

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

One of the nicest photos yet of the Events Centre highlighting the plaza in front.


Andre Audet Photography



Next step will be installing the trellises.

[felip_ars]

UFC Fight Night coming to Moncton
http://www.ufc.com/moncton

[L'homard]

UFC should sell well in Moncton. Lots of MMA interest around here.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by L'homard

UFC should sell well in Moncton. Lots of MMA interest around here.

I expect an easy Sold Out event.

[Scarface]

Tickets sale starting tomorow Saturday 9th. June, and the show will be at the event centre October 12th.


I don't remember getting this many live shows advertised for 1 establishement in Moncton in a while.

They seem to be really filling up slots to get the money to recoup the cost of the centre but I do hope they do continue after that enitial cost coverage.


Also should point out this is conected to Just for Laughs LIVE. So I do hope this means we will be seeing more comedic acts in the long run.

[felip_ars]

They'll have to be careful of not overflowing the market to the point that fans are start being more selective in their choice of shows.

It happened in Quebec City, where acts that were selling out everywhere (Weeknd and Red Hot Chili Peppers) had to cancelled their respective show because of poor turnout.

It kinda already happening as Chicago is selling pretty well, while Mellencamp is struggling to fill out sections near the stage, and some of them dont even have 20 tickets sold.

We'll see the real results the week or two after the show, as Evenko is posting the actual number of tickets sold through Billboard Boxscore.

[Ammn_guy]

I still can't get past the ticket fees.. on lower price events they make up a big chunk fo the cost.. it takes previously affordable events and makes them.. too much.

Skating even base ticket is 31 ticket fees are 15.50 + hst

chicago base ticket is 51 ticket fees are 23.00 + hst

hate to see what a wildcat ticket is going to cost.


previously this was like 8.00$ at the coliseum.

[Blue Blazer]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Tickets sale starting tomorow Saturday 9th. June, and the show will be at the event centre October 12th.


I don't remember getting this many live shows advertised for 1 establishement in Moncton in a while.

They seem to be really filling up slots to get the money to recoup the cost of the centre but I do hope they do continue after that enitial cost coverage.


Also should point out this is conected to Just for Laughs LIVE. So I do hope this means we will be seeing more comedic acts in the long run.

Got my tickets

[Blue Blazer]

Originally Posted by Ammn_guy

I still can't get past the ticket fees.. on lower price events they make up a big chunk fo the cost.. it takes previously affordable events and makes them.. too much.

Skating even base ticket is 31 ticket fees are 15.50 + hst

chicago base ticket is 51 ticket fees are 23.00 + hst

hate to see what a wildcat ticket is going to cost.


previously this was like 8.00$ at the coliseum.

Not going to be free. they have to recover some of the cost some how, you cant expect to go to a new state of the art arena and not have slightly higher prices. two tickets to Seinfeld cost me 249$ in sec 14

Just to see a Just for laughs show at the capitol theatre cost almost 45-50$ a person.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Blue Blazer

Not going to be free. they have to recover some of the cost some how, you cant expect to go to a new state of the art arena and not have slightly higher prices. two tickets to Seinfeld cost me 249$ in sec 14

Big city shows in a big city type venue are gonna cost a lot.

I just bought two tickets to Wicked at the Mirvish Theatre in Toronto and this set me back $280.

The takeaway of this is that you shouldn't expect a quality show to be any less expensive in Moncton than it would be in Toronto............

[Blue Blazer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Big city shows in a big city type venue are gonna cost a lot.

I just bought two tickets to Wicked at the Mirvish Theatre in Toronto and this set me back $280.

The takeaway of this is that you shouldn't expect a quality show to be any less expensive in Moncton than it would be in Toronto............

Nope not at all, I though the price was reasonable