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

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by lirette

Building temperature was much cooler today, had to put my coat back on. Which I'd much prefer!

Agree - HVAC issues have been resolved. I felt a little chilly too, but i was only wearing a t-shirt.

Also, the sound system was rejigged since the first game too - no more vibrating scoreboard with a deep bass note.

The bright lighting of the ice surface, the large high-def scoreboard and the wide comfortable seats make for a very pleasant game experience.

My only quibble at present is that the food service at their "show kitchen" is fairly slow. I realize they want the food to be freshly made for every customer, but this is a difficult service to provide when there is only 18 minutes between periods and dozens of customers waiting in line.

I presume the other concessions were all quicker (since what they serve isn't made to order), but I haven't tried them out yet.

And, oh yes, the washrooms are top notch!!!

I hope those two busses of Moose fans from Halifax were impressed..........

[MonctonRad]

According to Gilles Courteau, the Avenir Centre is the best "purpose built" Major Junior Hockey arena in Canada.

He says that CHL teams in Quebec City, Edmonton and Calgary may play in larger buildings with similar capabilities, that those arenas were built with the "NHL in mind". Of the rest, according to Courteau, the Avenir Centre has no equal in the land.

Further, in terms of QMJHL arenas capable of hosting the Memorial Cup, there are currently only five - Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Shawinigan and Quebec City. Gatineau will join the list when their new arena in built in 2022.

So, Halifax is hosting this year (2019). The earliest Moncton can hope to host the Mem Cup is 2022. Shawinigan hosted not long ago, and I think Moncton will have a leg up on Gatineau. This means our competition will be QC and SJ. Both of these cities deserve to host the cup too, so the competition will be tough. I'm pretty sure though that Moncton will host the tournament again in 2022, 2025 or 2028. I'm banking on sooner than later, especially with the Avenir Centre being a showcase facility.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Further, in terms of QMJHL arenas capable of hosting the Memorial Cup, there are currently only five - Halifax, Moncton, Saint John, Shawinigan and Quebec City. Gatineau will join the list when their new arena in built in 2022

No offence but I think you forgot Rimouski, the Oceanic hosted the cup back in 2009.

By the way, I hope the Oceanic beats the crap out of your Wild 'minou' on October 21th, I will be there to witness the devastation as well as the dead crowd. haha

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

No offence but I think you forgot Rimouski, the Oceanic hosted the cup back in 2009.

Courteau listed Rimouski and Cape Breton as “maybes.” I presume the bar has moved since Rimouski hosted the cup.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

No offence but I think you forgot Rimouski, the Oceanic hosted the cup back in 2009.

By the way, I hope the Oceanic beats the crap out of your Wild 'minou' on October 21th, I will be there to witness the devastation as well as the dead crowd. haha

Perhaps you could ask Beausoleil to put out some more inspiring words in the media before the game to fire up the Minou again

[Nashe]

I'm not really a sports fan but I look forward to attending a game or two at "The Ave" this winter, just for the energy. It looks like the nay-sayers (mostly about the parking) have mostly dissolved into the foliage. I think the initial event was just SMG figuring out "how many gates" needed to be open to process N amount of entrants.

[Feneant]

I was disappointed to read that the city is subsidizing the UFC fight. We're paying 150k to get back a maximum of 4500$ on ticket sales.

Ridiculous, the SMG group is making out like bandits off our backs.

[felip_ars]

Looks like the experience wont last very long

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/codiac-transpo-avenir-centre-1.4846071

It's a good initiative, but if you only boost the 2 main lines, meaning that a lot of people would need to drive their car to get there, it kinda lost his point.

Now that the Downtown parking is not as a big mess as people expected, why would people use transit?

As for the UFC, lets not forget that SMG will have to give the first part of his profit to the City. We dont know the actual numbers, but Kingston (smaller arena (6k) but also run by SMG), is getting the first 500k, so Moncton probably get something similar.


On another note, I was wondering how were the Downtown businesses doing since the Centre opened? Hearing a lot of praise about the venue, but it's pretty much "Park/Attend/Gone".

I know it's early, but with a few weekend events, and 2 sold out crowd, there must have been some people who stayed after...

[lirette]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

Looks like the experience wont last very long

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/codiac-transpo-avenir-centre-1.4846071

It's a good initiative, but if you only boost the 2 main lines, meaning that a lot of people would need to drive their car to get there, it kinda lost his point.

Now that the Downtown parking is not as a big mess as people expected, why would people use transit?

As for the UFC, lets not forget that SMG will have to give the first part of his profit to the City. We dont know the actual numbers, but Kingston (smaller arena (6k) but also run by SMG), is getting the first 500k, so Moncton probably get something similar.


On another note, I was wondering how were the Downtown businesses doing since the Centre opened? Hearing a lot of praise about the venue, but it's pretty much "Park/Attend/Gone".

I know it's early, but with a few weekend events, and 2 sold out crowd, there must have been some people who stayed after...

I would think the busses will become a better option once it gets colder out and getting dropped off at the door is more appealing. Personally I took the bus for the Friday game from Riverview and it was super easy. Sunday I drove and parked at heritage court, there was parking available all over and with it being a sunday no real rush to get there.

We went out to dinner at old triangle friday at 4pm and there was 5-6 other tables of people that had cats gear on. We left around 5pm, I'm guessing there was more people showed up after we left since most work till 5. Downtown looked quite busy after the game with lots of people walking around and going into bars. Old triangle was busier than usual at 11.

I think one unfortanute thing is there is basically nothing to do at that end of town right now. Its just a hotel the unappealing storefronts attached to the crown. Based on where a lot of people are parking its very easy to get to your car without the temptation of having something to walk by. I'm sure the restaurant inside the hyatt will be busy before and after games. The night of Keith Urban was definitely a good one for restaurants in the city, which is nice as Wednesdays are typically quiet.

Another thing to add that I noticed. UFC is not selling well from what I see. I'm abit surprised, the main event is a good one but maybe the rest of the card is not enough to justify the prices. Still, Moncton tends to be a last minute city. The expensive floor seats have sold pretty well but there is still tons of seats available in the bowl with the show less than a month away.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Fada's Pita Wrap was very busy she said. She didn't expect that much business but was almost swamped for the Cat's Home Opener.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by Mapleton_Roadie

Fada's Pita Wrap was very busy she said. She didn't expect that much business but was almost swamped for the Cat's Home Opener.

Can confirm. Ate there pre-game on Friday and walked by 15 minutes after the game... quite busy.

[Sandbagger]

I took the bus with my family for the home opener Friday night. We drove from St Anselme in Dieppe to the mall and hopped on the blue line from there. There was maybe 10 people it (including us 5). It was 5:30pm traffic but it was easy as pie. Dropped us off right at the front door. It cost $12.50. The driver said since it was a sellout there was no fee to return but on nights where there's less than 6000 You would have to pay again. So on a typical Wildcats night I would be paying $25 to get my family about 5km (2.5 each way) and I still have to drive home. I could cab for less than that. That pretty much eliminated that as an option for me. Especially when even the most expensive pay lots are only $20.

On the plus side getting on the bus after the game and heading back was super easy and we were home in less than 30 mins. Driving by it looked like some restaurants were closed after 11. Mexi's in particular looked like there were no lights on.

On Sunday I tried something different. Dropped my family off at the plaza then found a free spot by High St that was a 5 min walk. We waited about 10 mins inside the building after the game was over for the crowd to disperse a bit and then it was a quick path home. Barely any traffic. Was home again in less than 30 mins. I will say the dispersal traffic makes a huge difference when you're not all stuck going out the same 3 exits like the Coliseum.

Tonight I will probably try paid parking close to the venue. Maybe the VIA station or something and see how that goes.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by Sandbagger

I took the bus with my family for the home opener Friday night. We drove from St Anselme in Dieppe to the mall and hopped on the blue line from there. There was maybe 10 people it (including us 5). It was 5:30pm traffic but it was easy as pie. Dropped us off right at the front door. It cost $12.50. The driver said since it was a sellout there was no fee to return but on nights where there's less than 6000 You would have to pay again. So on a typical Wildcats night I would be paying $25 to get my family about 5km (2.5 each way) and I still have to drive home. I could cab for less than that. That pretty much eliminated that as an option for me. Especially when even the most expensive pay lots are only $20.

On the plus side getting on the bus after the game and heading back was super easy and we were home in less than 30 mins. Driving by it looked like some restaurants were closed after 11. Mexi's in particular looked like there were no lights on.

On Sunday I tried something different. Dropped my family off at the plaza then found a free spot by High St that was a 5 min walk. We waited about 10 mins inside the building after the game was over for the crowd to disperse a bit and then it was a quick path home. Barely any traffic. Was home again in less than 30 mins. I will say the dispersal traffic makes a huge difference when you're not all stuck going out the same 3 exits like the Coliseum.

Tonight I will probably try paid parking close to the venue. Maybe the VIA station or something and see how that goes.

Jeepers, what pay parking spots in Moncton are $20?

Based on the way the parking has been, I expect to pay zero dollars for parking this season. Even if the Heritage Lot gets gated. I parked there sunday but there was maybe 40 vehicles there with a crowd of 5800. I see people on Kijiji selling parking passes for $15 for the night :o

[L'homard]

The car detailer across the street from the front door of the centre charges 20 bucks to park.
The Facebook vigilantes are calling for their heads for "gouging" poor show goers.
I say, good on them for trying to make a few bucks by allowing people to park at their business. If people don't want to pay, then don't pay! Problem solved.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by L'homard

The car detailer across the street from the front door of the centre charges 20 bucks to park.
The Facebook vigilantes are calling for their heads for "gouging" poor show goers.
I say, good on them for trying to make a few bucks by allowing people to park at their business. If people don't want to pay, then don't pay! Problem solved.

Yeah, I have no issue with someone trying to make some extra bucks if people are willing to pay. If someone isn't willing to walk but is willing to pay thats fine by me.

I just can't believe people pay it. Certainly no one is forced to. Lots of free ample parking within a 10 minute walk, as been said all along.

[BlackYear]

I drove by Avenir Centre around 7pm last night heading to Sobeys, and noticed only a couple of cars in the Auto Indulgence parking lot with the parking attendant wondering around. If folks have money to burn, then go park in your VIP parking at $20.

AI will either continue charging $20 or lower it once they see nobody is willing to pay.

Some people pay $9.75 for a beer, some folks don't.

[felip_ars]

Some people just dont want to hassle finding a parking spot (even if judging by the comments, is very easy), and if it's their only "night out" then 20$ is nothing for them, as well as 10$ for a beer.

I've seen this numerous time at the Bell Centre. Just by overhearing the duo next to me I could tell that this was their "Buddy's Night Out" (especially with the older crowd). They would left and I would usually count for 100$ worth of beer judging by the cups they had (one Rush show, the duo next to me stacked up around 25 cups!).

Also, if you're a group (3-4), you split the 20$, and its nothing, to park next to the venue. Plus it seems that its also guarded.

One thing about the UFC not selling well. While the card is pretty good (the main event is going to be a WAR for sure), there's no "big" star power that would push the casual fans to spend 100-133$ (the 78$ ticket are only for the last 2 rows in the back). The first UFC in Halifax had Rory MacDonald and it was a sellout. The second did have some known name (Travis Browne and Johny Hendricks), but it wasnt enough, and it sold 2k less tickets.

Also lets not forget that the fight happens in a cage, which can be very difficult to see the action, while hardcore fans dont care, and want to be there for the "vibe", the casual fans will think "why pay to watch it on a screen if I can do that at home".

[lirette]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

Some people just dont want to hassle finding a parking spot (even if judging by the comments, is very easy), and if it's their only "night out" then 20$ is nothing for them, as well as 10$ for a beer.

I've seen this numerous time at the Bell Centre. Just by overhearing the duo next to me I could tell that this was their "Buddy's Night Out" (especially with the older crowd). They would left and I would usually count for 100$ worth of beer judging by the cups they had (one Rush show, the duo next to me stacked up around 25 cups!).

Also, if you're a group (3-4), you split the 20$, and its nothing, to park next to the venue. Plus it seems that its also guarded.

One thing about the UFC not selling well. While the card is pretty good (the main event is going to be a WAR for sure), there's no "big" star power that would push the casual fans to spend 100-133$ (the 78$ ticket are only for the last 2 rows in the back). The first UFC in Halifax had Rory MacDonald and it was a sellout. The second did have some known name (Travis Browne and Johny Hendricks), but it wasnt enough, and it sold 2k less tickets.

Also lets not forget that the fight happens in a cage, which can be very difficult to see the action, while hardcore fans dont care, and want to be there for the "vibe", the casual fans will think "why pay to watch it on a screen if I can do that at home".

I agree with you, and as someone who used to follow UFC in its peak of popularity and not so much anymore I would have likely gone if the cheap seats were $45-50, just to see the show they put on given its on national television. Obviously this $150K subsidy is going to look much worse if the building is half full. They did mention that one of the hotels in town has 1000 rooms booked just for the ufc entourage (fighters/media etc.) so that's nice to hear.

[Photo1]

Originally Posted by lirette

I agree with you, and as someone who used to follow UFC in its peak of popularity and not so much anymore I would have likely gone if the cheap seats were $45-50, just to see the show they put on given its on national television. Obviously this $150K subsidy is going to look much worse if the building is half full. They did mention that one of the hotels in town has 1000 rooms booked just for the ufc entourage (fighters/media etc.) so that's nice to hear.

But...isn't the $150K essentially the city paying for those hotel rooms? Also, is there a hotel in Moncton that has a 100 rooms never mind a 1000 rooms (are there even much more than a 1000 hotel rooms in all of Moncton)?

I understand that 2-4 hours of National TV coverage if purchased would be an expensive endeavor, but if it's on National TV...why can't I just stay home in Moncton and watch it. UFC is a $7 Billion company, why are we paying $150K to bring them here. SMG was hired to book these events, not to pay people to book these events. I understand that sometimes promoters want to alleviate risk and there needs to be some give and take...but this seems like all 'take' to me.

Between that at the Magic, the city has now spent almost $500K on two things...I'm all for the Center, don't get me wrong, but that just seems a bit crazy to me.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by Photo1

But...isn't the $150K essentially the city paying for those hotel rooms? Also, is there a hotel in Moncton that has a 100 rooms never mind a 1000 rooms (are there even much more than a 1000 hotel rooms in all of Moncton)?

I understand that 2-4 hours of National TV coverage if purchased would be an expensive endeavor, but if it's on National TV...why can't I just stay home in Moncton and watch it. UFC is a $7 Billion company, why are we paying $150K to bring them here. SMG was hired to book these events, not to pay people to book these events. I understand that sometimes promoters want to alleviate risk and there needs to be some give and take...but this seems like all 'take' to me.

Between that at the Magic, the city has now spent almost $500K on two things...I'm all for the Center, don't get me wrong, but that just seems a bit crazy to me.

I'm guessing its multiple hotels. The Delta has over 300 rooms on its own..so yes Moncton definitely has more than 1000 rooms available. The casino has over 120.