Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Saw this in BMO Field. Could be for #Argo fans too

Bill Manning confirms on PTS that the new northern stands added for the playoffs will be made a permanent addition to BMO Field going forward. huge for #TFCLive fans!

From Twitter @boatical

Anyone got a pic?

Congrats to TFC fans on the championship by the way.

2 for Toronto so far this season with the Raps in a play off position and a Leafs team that seem bound for a Stanley cup final

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

Anyone got a pic?

Congrats to TFC fans on the championship by the way.

Best I can find. About 1200 seats I read
From Gabriel Hurl on RPB Forum

[MacLac]

Originally Posted by itom 987

Does Videotron Centre have a tenant besides some bush league hockey team that no one cares about? I'm sure the pitiful rent isn't making up for the cost of the arena. The Quebec and Canadian (for that matter) taxpayer footed the bill for an arena solely based on speculation? That's awful, and the bush league hockey team is 'plan B' bravo.

One Properties (formerly WAM Developments) was founded, and is based in Edmonton. The company has built various buildings throughout the city, including two residential high-rises on Jasper Avenue, and you are telling me they don't give two shits about Edmonton?

Exactly...us slaves to the West paid handsomely for a new empty areana....

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by maclac

exactly...us slaves to the west paid handsomely for a new empty areana....

wtf?

[esquire]

Originally Posted by MacLac

Exactly...us slaves to the West paid handsomely for a new empty areana....

You guys don't seem to mind paying for new arenas though, so it's all good!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Acajack

wtf?

Indeed.

Westerners (Albertans) continue to have trouble grappling with how equalization actually works.

Everyone (including Quebecers and lowly Maritimers) pays into equalization. It's then doled out on an as needed basis. None of the equalization money would have found it's way into the Videotron Centre........

[mistercorporate]

Yeah, apparently they may expand BMO to 35,000 seats in a few years and to 42,000 by 2026 if rumours are true. Bill Manning straight up admits they don't have enough seats and will have a standing section by 2020 (a long sought after feature by supporters)!

Also interesting was that all games were sold out this year and 25,000 season ticket holders expected next year (from the current 21,000). Average attendance was around 27-28k.

[Hackslack]

Cool to see the rise in popularity for the sport. Amazing what winning can do for a franchise and sport in general. Put out a winning product, and people will come.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Yeah, apparently they may expand BMO to 35,000 seats in a few years and to 42,000 by 2026 if rumours are true. Bill Manning straight up admits they don't have enough seats and will have a standing section by 2020 (a long sought after feature by supporters)!

Also interesting was that all games were sold out this year and 25,000 season ticket holders expected next year (from the current 21,000). Average attendance was around 27-28k.

What is the actual capacity at BMO for soccer? You say all games were sold out but attendance was never the same from one game to the next, and seemed to vary between 26,000 and 30,000.

Normally when all games are sold out the attendance is always pretty much the same. For example, the attendance at Montreal Canadiens games is always 21,273. If you're a fan of a team you know that number by heart.

Also, I can understand the optimism right now but if they had plenty of games that drew 26-27,000 this season, and others that were around 30,000, that means they're rarely turning fans away.

If they expand to 35,000 that doesn't necessarily mean that an extra 5,000 to 9,000 are going to materialize out of thin air just because the stadium is bigger.

Anyway, I don't really care as it's not my business. Just trying to inject some logic into what is perhaps an overly euphoric post-championship atmosphere.

[mistercorporate]

Originally Posted by Acajack

What is the actual capacity at BMO for soccer? You say all games were sold out but attendance was never the same from one game to the next, and seemed to vary between 26,000 and 30,000.

Normally when all games are sold out the attendance is always pretty much the same. For example, the attendance at Montreal Canadiens games is always 21,273. If you're a fan of a team you know that number by heart.

Also, I can understand the optimism right now but if they had plenty of games that drew 26-27,000 this season, and others that were around 30,000, that means they're rarely turning fans away.

If they expand to 35,000 that doesn't necessarily mean that an extra 5,000 to 9,000 are going to materialize out of thin air just because the stadium is bigger.

Anyway, I don't really care as it's not my business. Just trying to inject some logic into what is perhaps an overly euphoric post-championship atmosphere.

Assuming quotes from the President of the organization are inaccurate "due to euphoria" is hardly what I consider a logical addition to this discussion.

I've been pretty consistent in showing growth in attendance over the last few years, even before their epic run last year. All indications are this will continue with the current ownership/management group. Certainly, during the playoffs in particular, MLSE lost out on a lot of potential money by not having a bigger stadium.

Hockey games in an indoor arena are a whole other ballgame. Hockey tickets are much more expensive and they aren't affected by inclement weather and temperatures in the same way as an outdoor stadium. With so many TFC fans being STH's, missing a game or two throughout the year to attend a wedding or go to the cottage will barely touch your pocketbook, and you still get to keep your usual seat with your buddies.

People were saying the same thing when they expanded from 22,000 seats to 30,000, since some games didn't have 22,000 in attendance before the expansion. Yet 2 years later and suddenly 30,000 seats is not enough and we're talking about expansion again. A 35,000 seater can be sold out in 2-3 years but the average attendance will still probably be 33,000 outside of playoffs. Same scenario with a 42,000 seater unless they double or triple prices in which case people will be more motivated to resell tickets for games they can't attend.

[Acajack]

I get your point but still not convinced about consistent sellouts this past season.

I just checked the attendance for NFL teams that have records of hundreds of consecutive sellouts over multiple seasons: Pittsburgh, Denver, Green Bay, Seattle, etc.

They have huge stadiums which account for some degree of variability in attendance yet still the attendance is always in the same vicinity, within a couple hundred at the most. Not 5,000 to 9,000.

And a couple hundred is not much for NFL-sized stadiums that seat 65-80,000 people.

[mistercorporate]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I get your point but still not convinced about consistent sellouts this past season.

I just checked the attendance for NFL teams that have records of hundreds of consecutive sellouts over multiple seasons: Pittsburgh, Denver, Green Bay, Seattle, etc.

They have huge stadiums which account for some degree of variability in attendance yet still the attendance is always in the same vicinity, within a couple hundred at the most. Not 5,000 to 9,000.

And a couple hundred is not much for NFL-sized stadiums that seat 65-80,000 people.

That sort of reinforces my point, sellouts over multiple seasons with only a small number of games, and the ticket prices are also significantly more expensive (NFL), so there's less room for casual spectators in the numbers.

TFC averaged 27,647 per game in a stadium with around 29,000 seats (30,000+ with standing only general admission). I don't see anything unusual about that. 1,300 paid seats empty on average seems quite realistic, especially considering our weather up here, the large number of games (meaning more games STH's won't be able to attend), and a certain number of reserved corporate seats.

[isaidso]

If one can get 30,000+ into BMO Field for soccer, attendance below 30,000 isn't a sell out afaic.

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by mistercorporate

Yeah, apparently they may expand BMO to 35,000 seats in a few years and to 42,000 by 2026 if rumours are true. Bill Manning straight up admits they don't have enough seats and will have a standing section by 2020 (a long sought after feature by supporters)!

Also interesting was that all games were sold out this year and 25,000 season ticket holders expected next year (from the current 21,000). Average attendance was around 27-28k.

Well done TFC. Now if only the Argos could replicate it.

Who wants to Start a petition for a stadium in Mississauga??

Such an odd thing if you look at Grey cup celebration at Nathen Phillips Square It's littered with Argos fans but not the same way it's Littered with TFC fans

The Argos wants what TFC has in terms of Fans in the Seats and TFC wants what the Argos have in TV Numbers. Toronto is such an odd market

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

Such an odd thing if you look at Grey cup celebration at Nathen Phillips Square It's littered with Argos fans the same way it's Littered with TFC fans

The difference is there were a lot more fans in the streets during the TFC parade. Even in the pics shown you can see how the upper level/ramp have people should-to-shoulder for the TFC gathering, whereas there are big gaps for the Argos gathering.

Anyways, it was an impressive showing in the streets during the parade. It reminded me a lot of the streets when the Jays won - just to a smaller degree obviously.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

There were market stalls in the square yesterday that weren't there for the Argo's celebration which made the whole thing look awkward

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

The thing is, Quebec City doesn't really have a downtown. It has core neighbourhoods that look a lot like the plateau / villeray around the old city but nothing like a modern 20th century north american CBD. The upper city / government district where all the modern highrises are is a dead zone after business hours and can hardly be considered a city centre.

Quebec City is just a weird place.

An arena in the government district or whatever it's called would be a good step to creating an actual urban downtown area though. The current location is pretty bad, hopefully if they ever land a franchise they can build a parkade underground and put some bars or restaurants in that massive parking lot. Is there appetite for Lacrosse in QC at all? just curious if they can get some more tenants there if they don't get NHL back.

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by isaidso

If one can get 30,000+ into BMO Field for soccer, attendance below 30,000 isn't a sell out afaic.

Have to agree.

TFC seem to have taken a page from other teams and leagues. Tickets sold or given away for free doesn't equal attendance.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by isaidso

If one can get 30,000+ into BMO Field for soccer, attendance below 30,000 isn't a sell out afaic.

Depends on how they count a sell out

Tickets sold as opposed to tickets scanned as multiple other teams across multiple other leagues do.

[MonctonRad]

City of Moncton news release regarding the new Ian Fowler Oval

Significant contribution helps create new downtown public space dedicated to the late Ian Fowler

December 12, 2017

MONCTON – Earlier today, Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold recognized the significant financial contribution of long-time Monctonians Jon and Leslie Manship toward the new public space leading into the city’s Events Centre. The $1.1 million donation by the Manships will be for infrastructure improvements to the multi-season ‘oval’, to be named in the memory of Ian Fowler, a former City employee who passed away in 2011.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Leslie and Jon Manship for their generous support toward this urban development space in our community,” said Mayor Arnold. “Moncton is fortunate to have many citizens who believe in our city and who want to contribute to enhance our quality of life. We are grateful for the Manships’ pride in Moncton, and for their willingness to step forward and participate in improving the plaza. This space is a game-changer, not only for downtown, but for our city as a whole.”

“We feel very strongly that this new public gathering space will have a positive impact on our community, and we know that this was one of Ian’s dreams. His leadership in our community, and his unfaltering desire to keep aiming higher and better for our city, inspired us to participate in this project. We are truly honoured to do this in his memory, and for our fellow Monctonians,” stated Jon and Leslie Manship.

The late Ian Fowler’s wife Susan Fowler was on-hand for the announcement and was touched by this recognition. “Ian truly loved Moncton. He would be so pleased to see this public gathering place take shape. The girls and I feel that naming this space the ‘Ian Fowler Oval’ is a very fitting tribute to his legacy, and hope that this will be a space to be enjoyed by Monctonians and visitors for many years to come. We want to thank the Manships’ for their thoughtfulness and generosity.”

A public visioning exercise – the Ideas Workshop – was held in December 2015 to help feed the design of the outdoor plaza. It became clear that residents had a grand vision for this space, which included multi-season uses. The Oval will feature a skating rink during winter, and serve as a location for activities during special events and shows throughout the year.

About Ian Fowler
Ian Fowler was the City of Moncton’s General Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Culture with more than
31 years of service to the City of Moncton. He passed away in 2011.

Highlights of Ian’s career:

Transformed Magnetic Hill into a major concert site which and helped attract significant sporting events including the World Junior Baseball Championships, the World Junior Track and Field Championships and Touchdown Atlantic.
Played a major role in landing several mega concerts like The Rolling Stones, ACDC and U2.
Helped bring the Moncton Miracles professional basketball of the NBL Canada to Moncton.
Played a key role in the construction of Stade Moncton Stadium on the Université de Moncton Campus.
Developed Camp Centennial in partnership with the Rotary Club of Moncton.
Was instrumental in establishing Sports Moncton, a group created to attract sport tourism.
Helped establish the Moncton Kiwanis Minor Basketball Association and a was an administrator,
coach and referee.
Was the president of the NB Camping Association and the Canadian Camping Association.
Recognized by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance as the Industry Builder of the Year in 2007.
Inducted into Athletics Canada’s Hall of Fame in the Builder Category in 2013.
Inducted into the Moncton Sports Wall of Fame in the Builder Category in 2016.

And for those interested in seeing the live feed of the light display playing across the crown of the events centre - here's the link to the webcam:
http://www.moncton.ca/Visitors/Web_C...own_Centre.htm



And fittingly the (unfinished) Ian Fowler Oval is in the foreground.