Edmonton Sports Talk

[TimB09]

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

^Basically waiting on the province to support it. Also if Edmonton's bid doesn't move forward, Toronto also dies.

Yeah and I think Vancouver backed out, no?

[Coldrsx]

Backed out and then wanted back in.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

^Basically waiting on the province to support it. Also if Edmonton's bid doesn't move forward, Toronto also dies.

Beside the turf converted back to grass what other improvements would they be eyeing to the stadium?

[Base]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

Beside the turf converted back to grass what other improvements would they be eyeing to the stadium?

I would absolutely love to see a below turf heating system installed. As fun as it was with the Iceteca advantage Tuesday night it was exhausting listening to the quality of the pitch issues. We also had an absolutely brutal playing surface during the 2018 grey cup.

With dressing room facilities being upgraded in 2015 I think most of the other upgrades to the facility would be cosmetic improvements and maybe an expansion of the media facilities given the amount of media that event brings (could be temporary?).

I think a big part of the preparation would be having available fields for team training purposes that might. Not sure what standard those need to be.

[GreenSPACE]

^That would all be great additions.

I also believe there would have to be security upgrades. Imagine Argentina, for example, plays. Literally last time that happened in Russia 75,000 fans descended on a small city and tried to get into a stadium for 50,000 people. There's just realities in hosting World Cup that we'll have to deal with from security perspective.

There could also be cosmetic upgrades, or even related to transit connections.

[Coldrsx]

Elks clean house.

https://www.goelks.com/2021/11/22/elks-announce-changes-senior-management-team

[ExcaliburKid]

Had to happen, the organization is at an all time low point in almost every aspect.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

^That would all be great additions.

I also believe there would have to be security upgrades. Imagine Argentina, for example, plays. Literally last time that happened in Russia 75,000 fans descended on a small city and tried to get into a stadium for 50,000 people. There's just realities in hosting World Cup that we'll have to deal with from security perspective.

There could also be cosmetic upgrades, or even related to transit connections.

"or even related to transit connections." What are you thinking could potentially happen wrt to transit connectivity?

[Drumbones2]

Elks finally do something. I think everybody has known Sunderland had to go for some time now. A little surprised all three were fired but happy about it for sure.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Drumbones2

Elks finally do something. I think everybody has known Sunderland had to go for some time now. A little surprised all three were fired but happy about it for sure.

Thank god

[Coldrsx]

Commonwealth Stadium Rehabilitation
Budget - The project is currently on budget.

Schedule - The project is more than 20% over its original targeted schedule.

Scope - The project is within the scope approved in the project charter.

Description:

This project is to deliver a major capital rehabilitation project for the Commonwealth Stadium. The project is currently in the Development phase.
Latest Update:

The project is currently in the Concept Phase. The project schedule is delayed due to the need to reallocate resources to other priority projects for six months, this project has been reinitiated and is progressing.
Contact Information:

Contact: Kurt Bosch
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-442-0211

Approved Schedule

March, 2022
Forecasted Schedule

December, 2022
Approved Budget

$1.1 million
Forecasted Budget

$1.1 million

[Coldrsx]

Benson needs to go, but a solid second half of the game and what a hit by Russell.

Poor Hyman.

[Base]

With the recent soccer discussions and focus on Edmonton’s World Cup bid. With several players on the Canadian national team I have been studying the MLS a fair bit.

With that preamble over, it got me thinking about Edmonton’s prospects as a viable MLS market. It would have been nicer to get in years ago when franchises were cheaper (although the league much less stable) but I still think there is a narrow window for an investor with deep pockets to bring a team to town before MLS reaches a reasonable limit on their number of franchises.

The sport and league looks poised to gain a ton of fans and lots of potential for growth. Would be nice to add a fourth team in Canada and get Edmonton in there ahead of the likes of Calgary and Ottawa (other biggest markets without a team).

Would be much easier getting an expansion rather than trying to have a team relocated up here later on.

[Rocket252]

^ need a stadium first.

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

^ need a stadium first.

mls's existing franchise locations (and the really crappy flights to and from those cities) and a season that extends until the middle of december with playoffs pretty much makes edmonton a non-starter.

an indoor stadium might help with the second (but is probably a non-starter from a cost perspective) but it won't change the first.

[DKaz]

Do they fly commercial?

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Do they fly commercial?

pre-covid all mls teams flew commercial with a limited number of options to fly charter including playoffs. i would expect that to have been a budgeting concern, particularly for the smaller markets as all teams play all teams and i would activate seeing them return to that policy.

[Base]

Originally Posted by kcantor

mls's existing franchise locations (and the really crappy flights to and from those cities) and a season that extends until the middle of december with playoffs pretty much makes edmonton a non-starter.

an indoor stadium might help with the second (but is probably a non-starter from a cost perspective) but it won't change the first.

I understand the weather concerns although it looks like there are other franchises that could face similar issues like the Colorado Rapids.

Same thing with flights I don’t know if Austin or Columbus do much better for flights. We are 1 stop from any of the other cities in the league and it sounds like they are greatly expanding charter flying and I am sure as it continues to expand it will become the expectation and become permanent.

Stadium is a big issue no doubt although the Sounders still play at Lumen field in Seattle and while certainly newer and nicer than Commonwealth I am sure Commonwealth could stand in fine (maybe with a few upgrades done for 2026) while a new soccer specific stadium is built.

Anyways I understand there are hurdles to be sure but I do think it’s realistic as opposed to suggesting Edmonton attract a MLB or NBA team. Appreciate everyone’s input into why it does or doesn’t make sense.

[s4.audios]

Don't need MLS and Edmonton's fan base isn't yet there to jump into MLS.

City already has a soccer team in the Canadian Premier League. This league is actually doing pretty well in its infancy.

I'd rather put all my support in growing the all Canadian CPL.

[JHikka]

Edmonton, or any other Canadian city, won't be getting an MLS franchise any time soon. The league still has plenty of markets available to them if they want further expansion in the US. The creation of the CPL provides Canada with a First Division league and I would find it difficult to imagine a future MLS Canadian franchise getting confederation and association clearance. The current MLS Canadian franchises continue to exist as a grandfather rule, basically.