CANADA - Stadium and Arena Development News [Archive] - Page 9

isaidso

March 23rd, 2011, 06:54 AM

But that is what makes sports leagues quirky and interesting. There is no way on God's Green(Bay) Earth that the Packers would be admitted into the NFL these days despite being one of the most successful franchises in Gridiron. Who is to say RSL can achieve a similar type of iconic status in MLS??...a throwback to the days where stable ownership was more of a prerequisite than just having a huge market or a successful tier II team.

I agree, and if MLS is committed to spreading its brand in Canada they need to make more of a commitment than just 3 teams. Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are all big and wealthy enough to support MLS. They also have a population that would back an MLS team.

Canada has been good for the MLS. Toronto was profitable almost immediately while Vancouver and Montreal will almost certainly be as well. In a league with very few profitable teams, it's probably wise to build out in markets that will be profitable. Cementing their following in Canada is also wise. 6 Canadian teams would accomplish that. Staying at 3 won't give MLS a national following in this country.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are also some of the fastest growing metros in north America. Ottawa is building a new football stadium that could easily house soccer as well. Edmonton's Commonwealth is too big for soccer. Calgary's McMahon is probably too big too and in rough shape. Regardless, these cities should try to get MLS franchises.

Honestly, I'm probably not going to follow MLS if there are only 3 teams in the whole country.

SJAnfield

March 23rd, 2011, 09:09 AM

I agree, and if MLS is committed to spreading its brand in Canada they need to make more of a commitment than just 3 teams. Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are all big and wealthy enough to support MLS. They also have a population that would back an MLS team.

Canada has been good for the MLS. Toronto was profitable almost immediately while Vancouver and Montreal will almost certainly be as well. In a league with very few profitable teams, it's probably wise to build out in markets that will be profitable. Cementing their following in Canada is also wise. 6 Canadian teams would accomplish that. Staying at 3 won't give MLS a national following in this country.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are also some of the fastest growing metros in north America. Ottawa is building a new football stadium that could easily house soccer as well. Edmonton's Commonwealth is too big for soccer. Calgary's McMahon is probably too big too and in rough shape. Regardless, these cities should try to get MLS franchises.

Honestly, I'm probably not going to follow MLS if there are only 3 teams in the whole country.

So, does this mean you don't follow the NHL either? Same logic

isaidso

March 23rd, 2011, 11:37 AM

So, does this mean you don't follow the NHL either? Same logic

That's correct. It's important that a league help build the national sports system rather than just cherry pick the top markets. If the NHL bumped the number of teams in Canada to the 8-10 range I'd be more inclined to follow it, but they'd have to get rid of fighting first. I watch the national teams, but tuned out of the NHL 20 years ago.

Calvin W

March 23rd, 2011, 02:28 PM

That's correct. It's important that a league help build the national sports system rather than just cherry pick the top markets. If the NHL bumped the number of teams in Canada to the 8-10 range I'd be more inclined to follow it, but they'd have to get rid of fighting first. I watch the national teams, but tuned out of the NHL 20 years ago.

Your loss not the NHL's. Don't hold your breath waiting for what you want. If what you state is true, then there are no pro sports that you watch in Canada. Name one that doesn't CHERRY pick as you put it? CFL? NHL? MLB? NBA? NLL? MLS?

warpus

March 23rd, 2011, 07:53 PM

Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are also some of the fastest growing metros in north America. Ottawa is building a new football stadium that could easily house soccer as well. Edmonton's Commonwealth is too big for soccer. Calgary's McMahon is probably too big too and in rough shape. Regardless, these cities should try to get MLS franchises.

Honestly, I'm probably not going to follow MLS if there are only 3 teams in the whole country.

Ottawa had a pretty sweet looking MLS proposal a couple years ago - complete with a VERY nice looking stadium. This was before Vancouver and Montreal were ever considered, but after Toronto was already in the league. If we get another MLS team here in Canada I betcha it will either be Ottawa or Edmonton (they just recently got a "professional" soccer team)

You know what though? We've only had a Canadian team in the league for 4 years.. We juuuuust got one more, and are getting a third next year. That's pretty good considering we had NOTHING 5 years ago.

It's going to take some more time for us to get a 4th. The league will have 19 teams by next year and there isn't really much room for that many more.. MLS wants to expand into New York. If that happens, that's 20 teams. There's also a lot of other markets in the U.S. who want an MLS team. I think we'll have to wait for a while before we get a 4th Canadian team (as awesome as it would be)

ryebreadraz

March 23rd, 2011, 09:54 PM

GunnerJacket

March 23rd, 2011, 10:14 PM

I agree, and if MLS is committed to spreading its brand in Canada they need to make more of a commitment than just 3 teams. Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa are all big and wealthy enough to support MLS. They also have a population that would back an MLS team. Just so we're all clear on perspective, here... Ottawa is assumed to be the largest of the three cities you mentioned at roughly 1.3M people (the same size as MLS current smallest market, Salt Lake), and is the largest Canadian metro without an MLS team. Meanwhile, here in the states the following cities have also been mentioned at one time or another as a candidate for MLS.

Miami - 5.5M people
Atlanta - 5.5M
Detroit - 4.4M
Phoenix - 4.4M
Minneapolis - 3.2M
San Diego - 3.1M
St. Louis - 3.0M
Tampa - 2.8M
Cleveland - 2.1M
San Antonio - 2M
Charlotte - 1.8M
Milwaukee - 1.6

This doesn't even include cities like Pittsburgh, Orlando and others that have not been discussed but are larger than Ottawa. This isn't to say MLS is done with Canadian expansion, but it's easy to recognize how Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver stood out for their size and well established level of support.

MLS is fortunate enough to have reached a financial state where simply being "big and wealthy enough" justifies inclusion, and will go next where they'll bring in the most attention and money. So while the Canadian teams have indeed been good to MLS, I think furthering the MLS brand in Canada is lower on the priority scale at this point.

Right now both the US and Canada need to develop more solid second tier leagues, both to strengthen future MLS candidates, build deeper talent pools and solidify the exposure in all these markets we've mentioned.

Calvin W

March 24th, 2011, 01:48 PM

warpus

March 24th, 2011, 05:18 PM

GunnerJacket

March 24th, 2011, 07:47 PM

I'll forgive you guner for misspelling Ottawa. Not the easiest name to spell, especially if you are copying it from another post. Must be hard to copy eh?

"Yes I misspelled your name". I know it and can't be bothered to fix it, if you can't take the time to fix Ottawa.The empowerment of the interweb in full effect. :|

"Hey, Gunner, could you please correct your spelling of Ottawa? Thanks."

"Not a problem. Thanks for pointing out my mistake."

Done.

mattec

March 24th, 2011, 11:33 PM

It's not about population, it's about putting teams in markets that can support them.

Putting a team in a city of 5 million people wouldn't make sense if nobody in that city cares about soccer.

putting teams in larger cities help tv deals (which are mostly based on potential viewers), as well as give perspective teams a higher growth ceiling.

look for NY2, ATL, and Tampa/ Miami to be next up after Montreal

isaidso

March 25th, 2011, 05:28 AM

Canada has ~30m people to ~300m in the US. To give Canada 25% of the teams in the league would be ridiculous. Even if the league expanded all the way to 30 teams, which it won't do anytime soon, three teams would still be fair representations population wise.

It's a 9:1 ratio. (309 million vs 34 million) Expand to 60 teams then: 6 in Canada, 54 in the United States. Canada can support 6 teams, if the US can't support 54 that's not our fault.

3 just isn't good enough for a country the size of Canada. England (50 million) has 20 Premiership teams and isn't much bigger than Canada. To be honest, Canada should ideally end up with about 10-12 teams.

isaidso

March 25th, 2011, 05:35 AM

MLS is fortunate enough to have reached a financial state where simply being "big and wealthy enough" justifies inclusion, and will go next where they'll bring in the most attention and money. So while the Canadian teams have indeed been good to MLS, I think furthering the MLS brand in Canada is lower on the priority scale at this point.

I realize that's how US based leagues are going to view it, but it doesn't make the situation any more palpable from a Canadian perspective. 3 teams in all of Canada just isn't good enough. If we were the size of Estonia or Denmark it would be understandable, but we're not.

I can't think of any western nation our size that has only 3 soccer teams.

JYDA

March 25th, 2011, 07:23 AM

Nate

March 25th, 2011, 08:53 AM

There's also no nation our size in the world that doesn't have our own league.:ohno: The big three cities casting their lot with MLS has it upsides and downsides. The downside is the limitations on Canadian expansion. It would be nice to have more teams but the realist in me won't get his hopes up.

The problem in comparing to the rest of the world is that soccer is the number one sport in most other countries. In Canada, it might be third behind Hockey and Football (although in terms of regular TV viewership, it is also behind things like Curling).

And if we were to have our own league, you would also run into issues the CFL constantly runs into. Some people will refuse to support it because it won't have the VERY best athletes. The NFL is much richer and can take all of the very top athletes, and the same would happen with soccer. A Canadian league would be so far behind even the average European country in terms of talent it's not even funny.

Until we actually develop some national pride and care less about how things are in other countries (mostly the States), having our own domestic league will be a challenge. The CFL has survived (sometimes by the thinnest of margins), but it has a history that soccer in Canada doesn't.

GunnerJacket

March 25th, 2011, 02:02 PM

I realize that's how US based leagues are going to view it, but it doesn't make the situation any more palpable from a Canadian perspective. 3 teams in all of Canada just isn't good enough. If we were the size of Estonia or Denmark it would be understandable, but we're not.

I can't think of any western nation our size that has only 3 soccer teams.I thought you had more than three teams, you simply don't have more than that at the highest level, right?

Like the States, Canada has lacked the historical epmhasis needed to develop a top flight of its own, with geography and demography combining to urge the nations to work together in pro sports. For our part of the globe the benefits of a joint league outweighs the costs of each nation going solo. You and I can envision a 10+ team Canadian top flight that could very well hold its own (and that might someday come to pass), but we can also look at USL history and easily see such a venture struggling. Especially as others have said in terms of luring solid talent in the shadow of other sports leagues. I'd love to see that former scenario play out, as it would serve US Soccer interests and help the appeal of the CONCACAF CL, as well. Until then the current model is at least lifting the level soccer in both nations, even if not as quickly as we'd like.

Cheers!

Welkin

March 25th, 2011, 02:44 PM

There's also no nation our size in the world that doesn't have our own league.:ohno: The big three cities casting their lot with MLS has it upsides and downsides. The downside is the limitations on Canadian expansion. It would be nice to have more teams but the realist in me won't get his hopes up.

Canada has had its own leagues before (1926–1992 – National Soccer League, 1993–1997 – Canadian National Soccer League, 1998–2005 – Canadian Professional Soccer League, 2006–Present – Canadian Soccer League) but they drew poorly and failed to catch on with the public. I don't think that Canada can support a professional soccer league (and history bears this out). Canada could easily support a Canadian only top-tier hockey league (wouldn't that be nice to tell the NHL to take a hike and finally have teams in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Quebec), but not soccer. We are better off tossing our lot in with MLS if we want to watch any decent soccer.

warpus

March 25th, 2011, 04:53 PM

We are better off tossing our lot in with MLS if we want to watch any decent soccer.

Not only that, having teams in the MLS is really going to help our national team. Toronto FC already has a very respectable academy that has already produced new talent.

If Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal were playing in a Canadian league as opposed to the MLS, the quality of play would go down and a lot of the better players would leave. We're not there yet.. Give it a couple more decades ;)

matthemod

March 25th, 2011, 07:51 PM

Unfortunately that's a very valid point. Cross-boundary sports team exist all over the World and you only have to look at the English league to see that. There are three notable Welsh teams that play in the English system (Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham, the latter more on a historical basis) but there does exist a Welsh Premier League. As you'd expect, it's very low quality when comparing to the English league, with quality equating to that of the English Conference (5th Level). Near enough all of the Welsh national team play in England, with one playing in Scotland and it can only benefit the Welsh team unfortunately.

Infact there's a current debate going on about Rangers and Celtic seeking to enter the English Premier league, for the very reason that they far outrank their main competition in the Scottish Premier League.

GunnerJacket

March 25th, 2011, 09:08 PM

Infact there's a current debate going on about Rangers and Celtic seeking to enter the English Premier league, for the very reason that they far outrank their main competition in the Scottish Premier League.Well it's less of a debate and more a matter of the Old Firm eyeing the revenue potential within the Premiership while their English counterparts don't want to share. Clearly it would help Celtic and Rangers, even if they had to spend a few years climbing up the ranks, but in the long run it stands to hurt the likes of Villa, Everton, Spurs and others trying to catch up to the so-called big four. Too many good sized clubs already missing out on European competition. Now it'd be fun if Cardiff and Swansea could be shipped to the SPL.

Back to Canada - What's the status of lower league sports there? Obviously hockey does well but is there a serious economy for second division soccer? Would the travel costs prove prohbitive for anything below MLS level revenues?

isaidso

March 26th, 2011, 07:03 AM

I thought you had more than three teams, you simply don't have more than that at the highest level, right?

We actually only have 2; next year we will have 3. MLS does look like it will be the first time a pro soccer league has attained traction in this part of America. I don't have an issue with it being a joint Canada-United States league, but feel it would be sad if this becomes yet another sport that is only enjoyed in a couple of Canadian markets. Soccer is booming in Canada, and would hope that expansion in Canada isn't done after Montreal joins next year.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa have all shown that they are capable of supporting pro sports franchises. Edmonton has drawn 50,000 for women's soccer. All I'm saying is that discounting these cities because they're a little on the small size by US standards would be a shame. 6 cities would give MLS a truly national scope in Canada and I doubt either of these additions would end up being a drag on the league.

After all, MLS would be wise to covet markets where there is sufficient support rather than just relying on population statistics.

isaidso

March 26th, 2011, 07:15 AM

JYDA

March 26th, 2011, 09:04 AM

We actually only have 2; next year we will have 3

He asked about total pro teams, of which there are 4. Montreal and Edmonton are in the 2nd tier NASL.

isaidso

March 26th, 2011, 09:20 AM

He asked about total pro teams, of which there are 4. Montreal and Edmonton are in the 2nd tier NASL.

I see.

Commandant

April 10th, 2011, 08:47 PM

Are there any renderings of the new Ivor Wynne Stadium?

vanbasten88

April 10th, 2011, 11:11 PM

Are there any renderings of the new Ivor Wynne Stadium?

I'd also appreciate some pics of the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium U/C if possible please:) Any Manitobans out there on SSC?:cheers:

skyridgeline

April 11th, 2011, 01:30 AM

^^

There you go .... knock yourself out :lol:

Journal of Commerce (http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id43587) ~March 28, 2011
http://www.journalofcommerce.com/images/archivesid/43587/170b.jpg

Journal of Commerce (http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id43587) ~March 28, 2011
http://www.journalofcommerce.com/images/archivesid/43587/170a.jpg

Construction workers are braving the elements to build a new stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. About half of the underground work has been completed, with -1,300 piles having been driven so far. (http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id43587)

- PETER CAULFIELD (correspondent)

htpwn

April 11th, 2011, 09:46 AM

cdWD7v0SefY

isaidso

April 11th, 2011, 10:56 PM

I'd also appreciate some pics of the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium U/C if possible please:) Any Manitobans out there on SSC?:cheers:

Here's a link to the live cam: http://www.bluebombers.com/page/construction-webcam

vanbasten88

April 13th, 2011, 11:58 PM

Here's a link to the live cam: http://www.bluebombers.com/page/construction-webcam

much obliged, thank you, I'd love to see a live CFL game one day, why not in Winterpeg? ;)

Nate

April 14th, 2011, 02:58 AM

A bit of further development/news on the Regina Stadium front...

City of Regina will soon unveil stadium plans: Mayor Pat Fiacco

By JOE COUTURE, Leader-Post

REGINA — Mayor Pat Fiacco says to expect an announcement "in the next few weeks" about the future plans for a replacement of Regina's Mosaic Stadium.

And while he says a new entertainment facility is "absolutely" still high on his priority list, the mayor says he has a longer-term vision that includes major inner-city redevelopment driven by the private-sector.

"I can tell you that there's been a tremendous amount of work done since the federal government decided that Regina should not get any of our hard-earned federal tax dollars back into this community," he said on Monday night. "Within the next little while, you'll hear more news."

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/City+Regina+will+soon+unveil+stadium+plans+Mayor+Fiacco/4602078/story.html#ixzz1JSCQnljz

And for an idea of where they are talking about:

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/802/regina.jpg

The proposed site is in Red... north of downtown (across some rail lines)... it's also conveniently directly north of Casino Regina. Also right north of the proposed stadium is the main bar/pub strip in Regina. There are about 7 or so bars/pubs on the street right north of the site (Dewdney Avenue). So the impact on those businesses could be quite good around game days (or event nights if the multi-purpose plan is pursued).

Downtown has plenty of available parking for evening/night events as well, so new surface parking isn't something thats really necessary around the project either.

The current stadium site is where they are saying there could be some very good inner-city redevelopment done to help support that neighbourhood... it's more of a low-income/poorer area overall.

isaidso

April 14th, 2011, 06:37 AM

^^ I wish Potash or Mosaic would step in to make this happen now that the feds can't be counted on for support.

much obliged, thank you, I'd love to see a live CFL game one day, why not in Winterpeg? ;)

It's, by far, my favourite league in the world. Just don't let Toronto be your first introduction to football. I'd rank the game day football experience as follows:

1. Regina (best in the land by a long shot)
2. Montreal (fab venue and location over looking the city)

3-6. Winnipeg, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton tied
7. Vancouver (so so)
8. Toronto (abysmal football town: I live here, but drive to Hamilton for games)

hkskyline

April 15th, 2011, 09:16 AM

Stadium report out of bounds
No public value in development option
Ottawa Citizen
3 April 2011

Let's boil the Ottawa baseball stadium issue down to its essence. What is of more value to the taxpayers who own the Coventry Road site, a soccer dome used by thousands of recreational players or a bunch of condos and office buildings?

If you read city staff's report on the subject, it's a slam dunk for the condo and office development. In their enthusiasm to play the development game, city staff almost entirely disregard the concept of public value on what they themselves call "a unique major urban facility."

If the option that staff clearly favour is adopted by council, this unique major urban facility will be transformed into an outdoor concert bowl with no on-site parking except what the office buildings provide. One need not be a seer to predict that after a couple of years, the city will decide that the concert bowl idea just didn't pan out. Then the stadium itself will be torn down to allow for more condos and office buildings. The only public value will be in the form of a cheque for selling the property.

City staff mount numerous arguments in favour of the development option but they are a series of assertions unsupported by either facts or numbers.

The first thing to question is the viability of this site as a mixed-use project. The plan is based on nothing more than a general observation that developers like uncontaminated sites near major roads and transit links. Is this an attractive place to live?

It's relatively close to transit, but residents will have the Queensway on one side, a hotel on another and a big Canadian Tire on a third.

City staff say it's imperative to get on with an $8.8-million footbridge to link this site to the transit station on the other side of Highway 417. A month ago, staff were talking about allowing existing pedestrians and cyclists to cross, but this report is a little more focused. The footbridge will greatly increase the value of the cityowned stadium land, staff say. They even say the increase in value is "likely" to be greater than the cost of the bridge. Typically, there is nothing solid to support that contention. Nor is there any estimate of what the land is worth today or what it would be worth if sold for development. How can staff seriously suggest that councillors should proceed down the development path without a clue as to how much money the site would generate?

You really have to get scared when city staff say they want to act as the developers and call this site "a showcase of the city's official plan and city strategic plan provisions." All that said, it's difficult to make a good case for baseball in this baseball stadium. Neither fans nor consequential baseball teams seem interested. The city definitely needs a plan, but staff refuse to accept the most obvious one.

Thanks to media coverage, city staff have finally been forced to address the idea of moving the Lansdowne soccer dome to the baseball park, an idea they have never put in front of councillors.

The staff report confirms that the Lansdowne dome could fit on the baseball field without altering the stadium structure and all the necessary work could be done within the budget the city has already established for the move. Taxpayers get that bill because the dome's owners have a contract that guarantees them relocation if they have to leave Lansdowne. Despite those facts, city staff are still against the dome at the baseball park. They don't quite say it, but continued significant public use of the site would kill their plans for redevelopment.

The city certainly isn't showing much respect for the people who own the dome and the thousands of recreational players who use it. After telling the dome owners that they had to move out of Lansdowne, the city is now telling them they can stay for another year due to delays in construction. Unfortunately, the dome owners have already cancelled their season and a good part of the business has gone elsewhere. The city is still determined to move the privately-owned dome to an unattractive site in Ledbury Park. The dome and the city's concert bowl plan would actually fit well together, providing year-round public use of the baseball stadium.

There's even room for a bit of baseball. None of this can happen if the city sells the land for development.

Commandant

April 18th, 2011, 12:32 PM

So what's the latest with Lansdowne Park?
http://www.cannondesign.com/FILES/original/2011/01/07/3d7e953bdf52665386ea0a92d88a23f4269a5c61.jpg
http://www.cannondesign.com/FILES/original/2011/01/07/59400de4bee4ba370f08a575be92a3845ac2a09a.jpg
http://www.cannondesign.com/FILES/original/2011/01/07/dd64e8712e43565b4f84930c74b614e8d75fd788.jpg
http://www.cannondesign.com/FILES/original/2011/01/07/b1337448edf386952b9e1ed2ace42caf36c1344a.jpg
http://www.cannondesign.com/FILES/original/2011/01/07/808fd8cf232c08f57109ec48df3c78c4f457e315.jpg

isaidso

April 21st, 2011, 02:36 AM

It's approved, but a local lobby group is making one last attempt at scuttling the whole thing. They don't want this traditional sports area used for sports any more. You'd think if they hated sports they wouldn't move next to a stadium.

Alx-D

April 21st, 2011, 01:44 PM

I can't believe the power NIMBYs have these day to be a political pain in the ass.

isaidso

April 24th, 2011, 08:19 AM

I wish someone would file a lawsuit against them. It would make them think twice and drill it into their heads that they're a small minority holding an entire city hostage to selfish demands.

vanbasten88

April 28th, 2011, 01:35 PM

I can't believe the power NIMBYs have these day to be a political pain in the ass.

Doesn't matter where in the world, but unfortunately the squeaky wheel gets the grease:( I fricking hate negative NIMBYs ruining things that only marginally impact upon them or things that were 'in place' first, like the idiots that buy cheaply under the flight path then campaign to get the airport moved:( Grandfathering clauses and an Official from the Dept of Shut the F**k Up from the government should sort it out IMHO.

isaidso

April 28th, 2011, 01:51 PM

I'm confident that the stadium will proceed. It's just a shame that Ottawa will likely have to go without a football team for one more year.

Montreal probably has the largest fan base in Canadian pro football yet NIMBYs successfully reduced the expansion of their stadium to just 5,000 more seats even though the stadium has been there for 92 years. They built the 5,000 seats, but I'm hopeful that down the road they'll get another 10,000 seats in there. If they continued the bowl around the western end zone it's doable.

Molson Stadium, home of the Montreal Alouettes
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2237445996_8c575cd152.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2237445996_8c575cd152.jpg

Calvin W

April 28th, 2011, 02:26 PM

isaidso

April 29th, 2011, 07:21 AM

They would be very hard pressed to complete the bowl. Being on a university campus as such. Especially with a hospital building butting right up to the stadium. Probably easier to move the stadium?

It's been a long time since I lived there, but if memory serves me correctly those buildings directly abutting the end zone aren't of huge historical or architectural value. I think the one with the green roof is though.

Taking down the first building to build a bowl would be a tight fit, but Alouettes fans love Molson Stadium for good reason. It's an intimate facility, centrally located, and offers dynamite views of downtown.

Long term, the Alouettes would be better off lowering the field to allow a bigger tier, taking down Tomlinson Hall/Currie Gym south of the stadium, and building the bowl to form a 'U'. It would be a massive under taking, but the location is important to the franchise. Doing all of these things is the only way the Alouettes could meet demand and stay at this location. They could probably get a 45,000 seater if they used the entire lot right to Avenue des Pins Ouest.

McGill owns the stadium so I doubt they'd complain. The Alouettes basically took a crumbling facility and brought it back from the brink after spending huge sums of money. More investment in their stadium might be welcomed. I bet they make a tidy profit renting to the pro football team.

vanbasten88

April 29th, 2011, 07:26 AM

I'm confident that the stadium will proceed. It's just a shame that Ottawa will likely have to go without a football team for one more year.

<snipped>>

Is there anywhere an interested outsider like me can go to get up to date news on the new OttawaCFL team? Will they be the RoughRiders again or have the Watermelon-heads from SK got that sewn up? :nuts:

isaidso

April 29th, 2011, 07:30 AM

I find it hard getting information too. There's a Lansdowne Park Revitalization thread here: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=181897&page=60 This site is more about the revitalization of the whole site to accommodate the football team, a possible soccer team, and a few other things. I used to check quite often, but there hasn't been any news in ages so I don't bother any more.

There's also www.cfl.ca but there hasn't been any news here either. I hope that Ottawa keeps the 'R' on their helmet and their old colours, but don't want another team called the Rough Riders. Let the watermelon heads have it.

vanbasten88

April 29th, 2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the tips, I guess Riders would just reignite the old ridicule of the CFL which i felt was never warranted, I mean if you're going to ridicule a sports league for it team nicknames, the WNBA is where you need to be IMHO.
Sparks, Starzz, Fever and Mercury WTF, over? If every team in the CFL was called the Rough riders the level of naff-ness would be 5% of the WNBA. I can't remember but I'm petty sure both teams had a valid reason for being called Roughriders.
Does Renegades have any public support? If not Royals could work for an R related logo tying in with Ottawa's role as capitol city.

JYDA

April 29th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Saskatchewan were commonly referred to as the Greenriders back then as a way of differentiating the two. I don't think it was that big a deal for multiple teams to have the same name. It would take you a day to count the number of american college sports teams named the wildcats.

vanbasten88

April 29th, 2011, 12:54 PM

Ned: Who are we?
Kids: The Roughriders!
Ned: Who are we gonna beat?
Kids: The Roughriders!
:cheers:

with apologies to Matt Groening;)

isaidso

April 29th, 2011, 03:42 PM

In what would be a 9 team circuit, 2 with the same name is a bit much. Technically, Ottawa were the Rough Riders rather than the Roughriders. It's still the same though. How about Rams? That's a good traditional football name and it will allow them to keep that famous 'R' on their helmet.

koolio

April 29th, 2011, 06:57 PM

Why not just go back to Renegades?

Welkin

April 29th, 2011, 11:03 PM

Why not just go back to Renegades?

Give me the Ottawa Red Riders or the Ottawa Red Raiders.

vanbasten88

April 30th, 2011, 02:46 AM

Give me the Ottawa Red Riders or the Ottawa Red Raiders.

what about the Ottawa Redlegs? or just the Reds?
I don't mind your suggestion of Red Raiders though:) surely the consortium behind the team will run a "name the team" comp?

isaidso

April 30th, 2011, 07:53 AM

Why not just go back to Renegades?

I don't think that name would be starting things off on the right footing. The Renegades organization were widely ridiculed.

vanbasten88

April 30th, 2011, 11:46 AM

I don't think that name would be starting things off on the right footing. The Renegades organization were widely ridiculed.

Is it true they[the Renegades] drafted a dead guy? that's pretty ridiculous if true:lol::lol:

isaidso

May 1st, 2011, 03:07 PM

JYDA

May 1st, 2011, 04:34 PM

vanbasten88

May 3rd, 2011, 12:35 PM

I never heard that part of it. Interesting

are any of these advertising campaigns on youtube? or pics of same? just for the LOLs of course;)

isaidso

May 3rd, 2011, 05:06 PM

I never heard that part of it. Interesting

Threatening to move the team to the United States didn't exactly make fans happy either. The antics of that 'management' team were beyond belief. Forgetting the name of their starting quarterback during a radio show? It was one monumental blunder after another.

Vancouver's stadium renovation. It will be the home of the BC Lions football team as well as the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1020457.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/P1020459.jpg
Courtesy of Built Form

MegasAlexandros

May 8th, 2011, 06:22 AM

Wrong thread.

skyridgeline

May 9th, 2011, 09:50 AM

archdaily.com (http://www.archdaily.com/132879/edmonton-eskimos-field-house-and-muliti-use-recreation-complex-mjm-architects/) and mjmarchitects.com (http://www.mjmarchitects.com/?mid=edmonton_eskimo&node_srl=2618)
http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1304610841-view03-stadium-1000x562.jpg

Calvin W

May 9th, 2011, 01:09 PM

? That is so ugh.

Scba

May 9th, 2011, 03:27 PM

There's also some Yankee Stadium-esque sightline gaffes if those are seats right up against that building behind the endzone.

Neda Say

May 9th, 2011, 04:03 PM

htpwn

May 10th, 2011, 07:27 AM

I think they did. They also alienated most of their fans with advertising campaigns that were obtuse or demeaned women. Football fans boycotted the team en masse. It became too embarrassing to associate themselves with that franchise.

The new management team put in place are light years better than the last one and will likely be successful in bringing pro football back to Ottawa.

That sounds familiar... oh right...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_B5_zqptngDA/TFTcFtwk5zI/AAAAAAAADtY/d0AMHkEQTs8/s1600/ballard.jpg
Source. (http://vintageleafs.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html)

isaidso

May 11th, 2011, 03:24 AM

There's also some Yankee Stadium-esque sightline gaffes if those are seats right up against that building behind the endzone.

I agree. These people are paid lots of money to do their job. It's just not good enough. Can they at least fill in the corners for those end zones. How often does Edmonton need a 62,000 seat track and field stadium, once every 50 years? What is wrong with these people?

BoulderGrad

May 20th, 2011, 10:04 AM

Edmonton agrees to funding plan for new arena for the Oilers:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6566773

isaidso

May 25th, 2011, 11:27 AM

Just a few more months now. Go Lions!

http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/5506/bohdan-astro.132/0_5fb49_5a3e3dc6_XXXL.jpg (http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/bohdan-astro/view/392009/)

Source: http://www.earthcam.com/clients/bcplace/index.php

drowningman666

May 25th, 2011, 03:54 PM

how popular are football and soccer in Canada ??

nyrmetros

May 25th, 2011, 06:04 PM

Soccer is doing very well in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

isaidso

May 26th, 2011, 06:19 AM

how popular are football and soccer in Canada ??

Football has historically been the #2 sport in Canada after hockey and remains #2 overall. It's continued strength lies in football's Canadian origins, entrenched cultural importance amongst the Canadian born population, and the existence of the Canadian Football League. The CFL is the only national professional sports league in the country.

Football is losing ground to imported sports such as soccer though. Inroads made by soccer are most noticeable in the big immigrant cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Soccer has arguably pushed past football in Toronto and Vancouver, but still trails football in most of the rest of Canada.

One significant change is the fact that soccer is no longer considered a fringe sport in Canada. It's finally joined the big 4 Canadian sports and is now considered a mainstream sport.

drowningman666

May 26th, 2011, 09:41 AM

thank you for an explanation. I've always thought that soccer is a niche sport in Canada and I'm quite surprised to see how it's becoming more and more popular

isaidso

May 28th, 2011, 02:32 AM

thank you for an explanation. I've always thought that soccer is a niche sport in Canada and I'm quite surprised to see how it's becoming more and more popular

Your observations are spot on. Toronto's MLS team was only founded a few years ago. Vancouver joined this year with Montreal set to join next year. The national women's team is ranked #6 in the world. These developments will only solidify soccer's ascension; I just hope it's not at the expense of Canadian sports.

hkskyline

May 31st, 2011, 05:32 PM

Doug Ford sees a new stadium in Portlands' future
16 April 2011
The Globe and Mail

Doug Ford has a vision: a football stadium on the waterfront. He says the NFL stadium might be built on the site of the abandoned Hearn generating plant in the underdeveloped Portlands.

The stadium would be the anchor for a massive redevelopment of the Portlands that would “turn this dump site into a wow factor.” It would include dramatically designed residential buildings and high-end retailers such as Macy's department store. A monorail elevated transit system would link it to downtown.

Mr. Ford, an Etobicoke councillor and right-hand man of Mayor Rob Ford, says he got excited about redeveloping the Portlands after visiting there shortly after his brother became mayor and taking in the view of the Toronto skyline.

“I said, ‘What would Mayor Daley do with this property?' He would make it a wow factor.” Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago won credit for redeveloping the neglected Navy Pier as a tourist attraction and creating the wildly popular Millennium Park near the Lake Michigan shore. Mr. Ford knows Chicago from living there part-time while running the Ford family labels company. He also mentions Baltimore, which helped revitalize its downtown with stadiums for baseball and football.

Mr. Ford stresses that the Portlands stadium complex is still only an idea. “This is just Doug Ford's opinion,” he said, and “this is not in concrete.” If Toronto were to get a National Football League franchise, something he admits might be a “pipedream” in the end, a stadium could go to Woodbine, Downsview or Exhibition Place instead.

But he said that, despite his Etobicoke roots, he prefers a downtown stadium site, and the Portlands district on the eastern side of Toronto harbour has many advantages. He says the area of 400 acres has huge tracts for development and big patches of parkland, too.

“Make that a green area – bicycling, beaches – and then make massive retail outlets, but not just the regular retail. I'm talking the Nordstrom, the Macy's, the Guccis. Something different.”

Building on the site of the massive Hearn plant on Unwin Avenue would save $120-million because the stadium could reuse its foundation, he says. “It goes right down to bedrock.”

A local developer came up with the idea of building a monorail “that would go along the lakefront and also scoop down to the Portlands and circle around.” Both the monorail and the stadium would pay for themselves “through the private sector,” he says.

Mr. Ford sketched out his Portlands notion in an interview on Friday evening after a week of controversy about the waterfront. He stirred the controversy by calling the Waterfront Toronto agency a “boondoggle” and suggesting the private sector could do a better job of developing waterfront land.

That was unfair to Waterfront Toronto, which is behind much of the recent progress on the Waterfront, including brilliant new parks and several big office and residential projects that are, in fact, being built by the private sector. Still, the idea of jump-starting development in the Portlands, with or without a stadium, has its attractions. The area has been neglected for decades, and the elaborate Waterfront Toronto plan involving a vastly expensive rerouting of the mouth of Don River could take decades more.

Mr. Ford wants things to happen faster – big things. He talks about making the waterfront a true destination, with attractions like the giant London Eye Ferris wheel and dramatic buildings like the curvy “Marilyn Monroe” condominium in Mississauga – not just “square glass condominiums.”

He says that when he brings U.S. visitors to Toronto, they tell him, “Doug, you've got a beautiful, clean city but there's nothing to do here.”

“Well,” he tells them, “there's going to be something to do.”

JYDA

May 31st, 2011, 09:00 PM

He says that when he brings U.S. visitors to Toronto, they tell him, “Doug, you've got a beautiful, clean city but there's nothing to do here.”

“Well,” he tells them, “there's going to be something to do.”

You can bet any friends of the Ford brothers are just as white trash as they are. Who cares about all the galleries, museums, parks, nightlife, cultural festivals, baseball, soccer, CFL. "There's no dang NFL or NASCAR so der's nuttin to do"

Archbishop

May 31st, 2011, 11:11 PM

Any chance Portlands would be used in a possible 2020/2024 Summer Olympics bid? A stadium that could be used for an NFL team as well?

JYDA

May 31st, 2011, 11:36 PM

Any chance Portlands would be used in a possible 2020/2024 Summer Olympics bid? A stadium that could be used for an NFL team as well?

There's been talk of another Olympic bid depending on how the 2015 Pan Am games go. It's seen as a possible launching pad.

Welkin

June 2nd, 2011, 02:27 AM

Any chance Portlands would be used in a possible 2020/2024 Summer Olympics bid? A stadium that could be used for an NFL team as well?

Olympic stadiums make lousy NFL stadiums (unless of course you spend hundreds of millions more retrofitting the Olympic stadium to NFL standards).

isaidso

June 2nd, 2011, 11:35 AM

Any chance Portlands would be used in a possible 2020/2024 Summer Olympics bid? A stadium that could be used for an NFL team as well?

We already have a pro football team, thanks. The oldest pro sports team on the continent, at that. The NFL can go to Mexico if they want. ;)

carnifex2005

June 6th, 2011, 11:35 PM

kev_427

July 5th, 2011, 03:23 AM

Toronto needs a new stadium with at least 60,000 seats. There is no city over 2 million people that has a stadium as small as the Rogers Centre. And it's outdated anyway.

JYDA

July 5th, 2011, 05:37 AM

Toronto needs a new stadium with at least 60,000 seats. There is no city over 2 million people that has a stadium as small as the Rogers Centre. And it's outdated anyway.

60,000 seats for what??? Rogers Centre is already plenty big enough for the Jays and Argos who never fill it. As for it being "outdated" I disagree. It may be a couple of decades old but it's still got all the bells and whistles new stadiums have so what's the problem?

KingmanIII

July 5th, 2011, 05:40 AM

Toronto needs a new stadium with at least 60,000 seats. There is no city over 2 million people that has a stadium as small as the Rogers Centre. And it's outdated anyway.
Rogers Centre seats about 53,000 with about 200 skyboxes and was built just over 20 years ago at a price of $570 million.

You can pretty much forget about a new stadium -- perhaps a renovation and/or seat replacement, but that's it.

Lord David

July 5th, 2011, 09:34 AM

Forget about what new stadium? It was willing and proposed for each of Toronto's two Olympic bids for 1996 and 2008. And surprisingly not proposed (in an initial downsized capacity, upgradable) for their 2015 Pan American Games. Of course this was just an additional venue, dependent if they got the Games.

They will do the same for a 2020 or 2024 bid, just depends if it will be proposed or additional, like the other two bids.

KingmanIII

July 5th, 2011, 07:06 PM

Commandant

July 6th, 2011, 06:56 AM

Has Halifax seen any progress with this project:

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9995/wtccstadiumproposal.jpg
http://eventsnovascotia.com/userfiles/file/StadiumConceptWHW_Dec24_2010.pdf

ryebreadraz

July 15th, 2011, 12:38 AM

^ I believe they said it would be built if Canada won the right to host the 2015 Women's World Cup, which they did, so I would guess that it will get the green light.

Welkin

July 15th, 2011, 12:58 AM

After watching many of the matches in Germany for the 2011 Women's World Cup, I can't believe Canada would use something as dinky as this stadium. If Halifax can't build an appropriate stadium for the Women's 2015 World Cup, then Canada should just skip Halifax and move on to better venues in other cities. Let's hope that Halifax takes this opportunity to build something decent and maybe attract a CFL team.

Lord David

July 15th, 2011, 09:21 AM

By then the Skydome will be 30+ years old...I don't think it's ready to meet the wrecking ball just yet.

I didn't mention anything about the Skydome.

Lord David

July 15th, 2011, 09:28 AM

JYDA

July 18th, 2011, 04:46 AM

IMPACT STADIUM EXPANSION DELAYED; SOME MLS GAMES MOVED TO OLYMPIC STADIUM

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact won't be starting their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign on home turf.

The Canadian soccer club, set to join Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS next season, announced Sunday that the expansion of Saputo Stadium has been delayed.

The Impact have $23 million in government funding to complete the project, but were unable to find a suitable builder.

Originally scheduled to be completed next spring, the project now won't be finished until the summer of 2012.

That means the Impact will have to play some of their first games in North American's top league, including the team's home opener, at cavernous Olympic Stadium.

"The cost was globally too high," Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo said in a statement. "It is not a question for us to exceed the total public money awarded for the expansion project.

"We have worked hard over the last few weeks with the different people involved to find solutions to expand our stadium to 20,000 seats, under a roof, while respecting the initial budget."

A second bidding process for the stadium's expansion will be undertaken next month. Saputo Stadium's current capacity is 13,000.

"We had the option to start the season on the road or to look for an alternative," Saputo added. "We prefer to play a few matches at Olympic Stadium. We want all games to be an event, especially our first game in MLS in Montreal."

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=371913

The part the media won't tell you is that the construction industry in Montreal is run by the mob. Contract shake downs and rigged bidding are par for the course so it's hardly surprising to see the cost escalate way over reasonable estimates.

isaidso

July 23rd, 2011, 12:13 PM

Halifax should use a stadium which has a large enough field to accommodate an athletics track (without physically having one, at least width wise). 2 main stands will go the length of the field at 20,000.

Then once the city is ready to bid for a Commonwealth Games again, you can build 2 stands on either goal ends, providing that minimum of 40,000.

Why build a stadium for an athletics event that might happen just once in its life span? Lets face it, a Halifax stadium would be used primarily for football (Canadian). It's this sport's needs that need to be satisfied first. No athletics track, it completely ruins the football experience!

Lord David

July 23rd, 2011, 04:03 PM

^^ Well then add the provision that the field can be altered for Athletics then.

mattec

July 23rd, 2011, 09:58 PM

3D view (http://www.montrealmls2012.com/stadesaputo.php) of Stade Saputo and their season ticket prices. Warning, there is an crowd chant audio clip that autoplays. You can turn that off in the upper right hand corner.

seems a bit underwhelming when compared to the newer MLS venues that have been or are being built.

Benn

July 24th, 2011, 01:12 AM

Also much cheaper in terms of construction costs, so it makes sense to me. It will be nice enough, but not like New York, Kansas City or the like.

adeaide

August 11th, 2011, 06:43 AM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_No9RcUMNZNM/S7s1xQ_lQ9I/AAAAAAAAI54/V0yUn3BWwGk/s1600/490a0ea.jpg

koolio

August 11th, 2011, 08:27 AM

That is not the correct render for the blue bombers stadium.

adeaide

August 11th, 2011, 08:46 AM

http://www.winnipegfirst.ca/~media/photos/Asper_stadium/asper_stadium.jpg

http://kevinghill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2dqnh4o.jpg

blacktrojan3921

August 11th, 2011, 08:55 AM

We already have a pro football team, thanks. The oldest pro sports team on the continent, at that. The NFL can go to Mexico if they want. ;)

Have you seen the attendance record at Argo games? XD 20,000-25,000 does not equally spell success for a city of 4 million people.

warpus

August 11th, 2011, 08:31 PM

how popular are football and soccer in Canada ??

Believe it or not, but soccer is the #1 sport played in Canada, recently edging out hockey.

Nate

August 12th, 2011, 01:46 AM

Have you seen the attendance record at Argo games? XD 20,000-25,000 does not equally spell success for a city of 4 million people.

And their record for the NFL games so far have also been less than stellar. Yes, it's expensive, but if there were that many diehard NFL supporters there, cost wouldn't have kept them away, since this is likely seen as a test of the market by upper NFL brass. I just think Toronto isn't much of a football city.

Also if you compare the Blue Jays' attendance against other teams in the states (some with much smaller population bases), they are doing pretty horribly there too.

That and the Argos haven't really had great dates for their games, and nor have they had a successful team in a while. But if you look back at Montreal back in the day, or Vancouver a couple years ago, those 2 were doing far worse than the present Argos, and now they are both strong franchises, so who knows what will happen.

Believe it or not, but soccer is the #1 sport played in Canada, recently edging out hockey.

Yes, it's #1 for participation, but that participation takes a divebomb in the older groups. It's also taken the least seriously.

People would think it's normal to have 3 practices a week for hockey, but to suggest that many for soccer would have most mothers annoyed. It's #1 because it is by far the cheapest and therefore the most accessable. It's the "fun" participation sport.

At least that's the attitude around here.

EastVanMark

August 12th, 2011, 03:00 AM

http://www.winnipegfirst.ca/~media/photos/Asper_stadium/asper_stadium.jpg

http://kevinghill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2dqnh4o.jpg

Wrong again. That rendering has since been changed (that roof is no longer in the plans) :cheers1:
Here is the latest (and current render)
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2010/08/25/bombers-stadium-new.jpg

JYDA

August 12th, 2011, 03:49 AM

Ford nixes Toronto’s nascent bid for 2020 Summer Olympics PATRICK WHITE
From Friday's Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 3:47PM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 8:26PM EDT
Mayor Rob Ford has vetoed efforts to land the 2020 Olympics in Toronto out of cost concerns, despite assurances the bid would have come at no cost to city taxpayers.

The mayor’s office confirmed Thursday that Mr. Ford nixed a nascent summer Olympic bid that carried the support of Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Canadian Olympic Committee.

“It’d be nice. If it were maybe two, three, four years down the road, it’d be nice,” said the mayor’s brother, Councillor Doug Ford. “But it’s not feasible right now.”

That essentially kills an eight-week, behind-the-scenes effort led by Bob Richardson, head of the Devon Group public relations firm, to assemble broad-based support for an Olympic bid ahead of the International Olympic Committee’s Sept. 1 deadline.

An official bid needs the consent of city government and the domestic Olympic committee.

“The city made it pretty clear that they had tough fiscal challenges right now and were not in a position to support it right now,” said Mr. Richardson, a key part of Toronto’s failed 2008 Olympic bid and winning push for the 2015 Pan-Am Games.

The city’s strained finances have become a singular preoccupation of city councillors as they grapple with a $774-million deficit. But Mr. Richardson said that the financial onus would have rested largely on the private sector. The proposal submitted to the mayor’s office carried no price tag because the IOC doesn’t require a full financial plan until February.

“We viewed the September to February period as the time you do your financial homework and there were all kinds of off-ramps so that if the numbers were too big governments could pull out,” he said. “The upfront costs for the first two or three years are minimal. There would be support from the private sector with something from the federal and provincial governments. We would not have been looking for dollars from the taxpayers of the City of Toronto in that short period of time.”

Mr. Richardson had quietly assembled support from a wide base of influential Torontonians, including former premiers David Petersen and Mike Harris, businessman Paul Godfrey, Olympian Marnie McBean and conservative radio host John Tory.

“I believe these kinds of bids are well worth exploring,” said Mr. Tory, chair of the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance, on his radio show Thursday afternoon. “But the mayor has said no and I kind of understand where he was coming from in terms of his current preoccupation. But he wasn’t being asked to sign a cheque now. If he wanted to say no to a cheque later, fine. Maybe he decided it was better if this thing didn’t get any momentum up.”

The bridesmaid for 1996 and 2008 Olympic bids, Toronto’s chances for 2020 looked promising. Mr. Richardson said the U.S. is not expected to endorse a candidate and that Rio de Janeiro’s winning 2016 submission cancelled out chances for another South American city.

“We’d almost be the candidate of the hemisphere,” he said. “It was a very, very open race and we thought a strong North American candidate could win.”

What’s more, the 2015 Pan-Am Games have long been seen as an Olympic audition for Toronto. That event is expected to cost the city nearly $100-million.

“That’s something in our favour, the Pan-Am facilities might be adaptable to the Olympics in some cases,” said Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday. “But there’s still financial risk and cost involved in getting the bid, preparing the bid, and then running the event. In our situation right now, we’re not able to proceed and I think it’s the wrong time.”

Rome, Madrid and Tokyo have announced submissions. Turkey and Qatar are also expected to join the race, according to reports.

The IOC will make its final decision Sept. 7, 2013.

Crestfallen as he was, Mr. Richardson said he wasn’t laying blame on any level of government.

“We had a very short period to talk to governments, it’s a very difficult fiscal period of time and we just weren’t able to put together the domestic position,” he said. “I’m not condemning anybody. It was a good idea, we just ran out of runway.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ford-nixes-torontos-nascent-bid-for-2020-summer-olympics/article2126777/

I guess if Qatar bids then there's not much point anyway. Tough to outbribe that lot.

Lord David

August 12th, 2011, 09:31 AM

^^ Sucks because this is their best time, what with only 4 bidders so far and the US not bidding.

Rome is compounded by debt of over 1 trillion and couldn't possibly host without spending and adding to their debt.

Madrid is in a similar boat.

Tokyo is cleaning up from the March Earthquake and Tsunami and could get some sympathy votes if they market their bid as such, but Pyenongchang winning the 2018 Winter Olympics makes their chances unlikely.

Istanbul is another new frontier like Rio, unsure if the IOC want to do that risk another time. Has past bids as a good indication of their bid dedication, reasonable chance of getting the games based on that.

And then we have Toronto, if Toronto did bid, we'd be looking at a safe, past nation/region to have the games again, with minimal financial risk and good support from the local and national population.

koolio

August 12th, 2011, 06:20 PM

Nate

August 13th, 2011, 01:23 AM

I'm glad we are not bidding. I don't want canada to be trillions in debt like the rest of those countries. These private parties saying how it wouldn't cost the city anything are a joke. They know that all levels of government will be neck deep in debt when all is said and done.

The Beijing Olympics (the most expensive to date) was around 45 Billion. Trillion would definitely be a far stretch even for a hyperbole...

In any case, I'm sort of on the fence about this... it would be nice to host another one, but Toronto/Ontario isn't exactly in the best place right now economically speaking.

Lord David

August 13th, 2011, 06:16 AM

Nate

August 13th, 2011, 08:03 AM

^^ And is Rome? Madrid? Tokyo?

As far as we know only Istanbul seems to be in reasonable economic straits. So what would prevent Toronto from bidding? Is it because they're already paying for that 2015 Pan American Games? Please...

Yes... but in general Canada has been a bit more fiscally conservative that those other countries. Although it is true, almost everywhere in the world (that normally hosts) is in somewhat of a financial quagmire.

isaidso

August 13th, 2011, 12:46 PM

Wrong again. That rendering has since been changed (that roof is no longer in the plans) :cheers1:
Here is the latest (and current render)
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2010/08/25/bombers-stadium-new.jpg

The rest is staying the same though: sunken bowl, 2 decks, 33,422 seats?

isaidso

August 13th, 2011, 12:51 PM

Believe it or not, but soccer is the #1 sport played in Canada, recently edging out hockey.

That's quite a misleading statement in that it would lead someone to believe that soccer is the #1 sport in Canada. Hockey, football, and baseball still have far more clout in Canada than soccer does. Basketball is the only Canadian sport that soccer might have eclipsed, but even that is a close call.

isaidso

August 13th, 2011, 12:52 PM

XD 20,000-25,000 does not equally spell success for a city of 4 million people.

And someone thinks this lousy football market should get yet another football team. :rofl:

krnboy1009

August 14th, 2011, 04:38 AM

And someone thinks this lousy football market should get yet another football team. :rofl:
But its NFL, Toronto seems to only care about the top of the cream league teams. hence, Marlies draw awful, but Leafs have undying support.

carnifex2005

August 14th, 2011, 05:26 AM

But its NFL, Toronto seems to only care about the top of the cream league teams. hence, Marlies draw awful, but Leafs have undying support.

Not really. Toronto don't even sell out the Buffalo games when they come and they play only in a 54,000 stadium. Rogers have had to give out thousands of freebees for those games. It's pretty hilarious in hindsight.

KingmanIII

August 14th, 2011, 09:25 AM

Not really. Toronto don't even sell out the Buffalo games when they come and they play only in a 54,000 stadium. Rogers have had to give out thousands of freebees for those games. It's pretty hilarious in hindsight.
It's partially due to the fact that Bills fans are largely a blue-collar bunch; you go from paying USD $50-75/ticket to damn-near USD $200 -- Charles Barkley says it best:

http://www.emotibot.net/pix/1157.jpg

Cjones2451

September 24th, 2011, 06:49 AM

This has been dragging on for years and years it seems, but it looks like they will renovate this Stadium and redevelop the whole Landsdowne Park and have a 24,000 seat stadium for CFL football and a USL Soccer team in 2014 :cheers:
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2011/03/14/li-ott-lansdowne-620.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/Ottawa_LPP_Stadium_Proposal.JPG (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/Ottawa_LPP_Stadium_Proposal.JPG)

These stands are supposed to be covered in all natural wood, very cool looking

isaidso

September 24th, 2011, 06:57 AM

The new stand looks great, but I hate that the stands don't mirror each other and that the stands don't wrap around the end zones.

Cjones2451

September 24th, 2011, 06:59 AM

Here are some more renderings

http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/gallery/slide002_en-3.jpg
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/gallery/slide004_en-3.jpg
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/gallery/slide005_en-3.jpg
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/gallery/slide020_en-3.jpg
The North side stands also have a 10,000 seat hocley arena in them as well

http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_partnership/urban_park/proposed_designs/large_images/b_2of7.jpg

Cjones2451

September 24th, 2011, 07:01 AM

isaidso - I think b/c they are renovating an existing stadium and the fact that the north side stands have the arena built into them makes that difficult. I think the one end zone was going to be open for a stage or something like that. They are saying it is expandable for big events like Grey Cup or if demand warrants it

koolio

September 25th, 2011, 07:04 PM

In some of the renders, it looks like the North Stand roof will also be covered with wood and have a slightly curved look. Is that right or just a rendering illusion?

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 09:57 PM

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9623/bcplaceday.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/bcplaceday.jpg/)
BC Place Roof Closed - September 23/2011

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/2668/bcplacenight.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/bcplacenight.jpg/)
BC Place - September 24/2011

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3804/bcplaceinside.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/bcplaceinside.jpg/)
BC Place Last Shot of Indoor Webcam (September 20/2011) Before Grand Opening

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 09:59 PM

New Winnipeg Stadium News Release (http://www.bluebombers.com/page/stadium-2012)
September 21, 2011
Virtual Venue Demo (http://www.bluebombers.com/page/virtual-venue-demo)

The future home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the University of Manitoba Bisons football team is scheduled to open the summer of 2012 on the campus of the University of Manitoba. The stadium will be capable of hosting large-scale, sports and entertainment events as well as more intimate gatherings. Seating capacity will be 33,500, with the ability of the stadium to expand to more than 40,000 seats.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5796/winnipegstadiumover.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/6/winnipegstadiumover.jpg/)

Of the many amenities Thompson highlighted, the stadium will feature two 30-feet high by 110-feet wide video boards. All washrooms will be audio-equipped and 250 video monitors throughout the stadium will ensure no plays are missed. There will be twice as many washrooms than the current facility, 28 in all and split evenly between men’s and women’s. All washrooms will be wheelchair accessible. Six elevators, more leg room and a larger, modern design will offer overall a much more pleasant stadium experience.

“We are hitting affordability, comfort and accessibility on all levels, including an expanded family section, a design that provides fans with the convenience of a main-concourse level entry, and price points for every Manitoban,” Thompson said. “Our introductory price point for season tickets is just $17.90 per game. This was the most important decision we made – fair pricing for fans and the community.”

Thompson also provided updates on premium seating sales at the new stadium. “Based on the continued strong backing of our corporate community partners, we are announcing today that the full inventory of 46 luxury suites, the two suite level Blue & Gold Suites and the 100-level loges are sold out. At this time, interested parties can be added to a waiting list at pseat@bluebombers.com.”

Ossama AbouZeid, WFC Interim CEO, spoke about the stadium construction site at the University of Manitoba. “I’m very pleased to announce that construction for Stadium 2012 is on target and on budget,” AbouZeid said. “We look forward to opening a first-class facility next summer that will make Manitobans and Winnipeggers proud.”

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/8885/winnipegstadiumnoroof.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/winnipegstadiumnoroof.jpg/)
View without roof

Stadium Facts

- Total seating capacity is 33,500 seats, with the ability for the new stadium to expand to 40,000 for major events, including Grey Cup and other major international events and concerts.
- The stadium has a sunken bowl design, where the playing field dips into the ground 25 feet below the main concourse.
- Two 30-feet high by 110-feet wide video boards - one behind each end zone.
- Over 250 video monitors throughout the stadium.
- There will be six elevators.
- There will be 28 washrooms - which is 50% more than in the current stadium.
- All washrooms will be wheelchair accessible.
- The new stadium will be smoke-free.
- All of our seats will have additional leg room compared to the current stadium - approximately 100% more legroom.
- All seats will be outfitted with cup holders.
- All stairways and aisles will have handrails for safety and ease of use.
- There will be a 4,000-square foot feature retail store that will be open year-round.

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/935/winnipegstadium.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/706/winnipegstadium.jpg/)

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 10:11 PM

That's quite a misleading statement in that it would lead someone to believe that soccer is the #1 sport in Canada. Hockey, football, and baseball still have far more clout in Canada than soccer does. Basketball is the only Canadian sport that soccer might have eclipsed, but even that is a close call.Soccer is the number one participation sport in Canada by a fair margin, that's not to say it is the most popular for viewing or attendance.

Little known fact, a few years ago the CFL had the sixth highest average game attendance of any league in the world. It's still doing well but other leagues have improved as well.

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 10:18 PM

Hamilton getting new stadium – north stands being demolished (http://www.joeycoleman.ca/2011/08/its-a-new-stadium-north-stands-to-be-demolished/)
Joey Coleman August/2011 with files from Nicole MacIntyre thespec.com (http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/585173--new-pan-am-stadium-a-considerable-risk)

Hamilton’s getting an entirely new football stadium.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/573/ivorwynneedit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/ivorwynneedit.jpg/)
Artist's conception of the redeveloped south stands at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The design is subject to change.
Shawn Lovegrove/Image courtesy of the City of Hamilton

In a report provided to Council by email late this afternoon, the City Manager’s office informed Council that:

In the Spring of 2011 staff learned that the grade on the upper tier of the North Stands is such that it cannot accommodate seats with backs. To be able to renovate to include seats with backs in the upper tier would require a complete rebuild of this section. Following this information, Infrastructure Ontario undertook an exercise to provide a cost estimate for three North Stand options. These options were: 1) a renovation to meet current Building Code; 2) a renovation to meet current Building Code plus accommodating seats with backs on the upper tier; and 3) a new North Stands.

The three options listed above were discussed at a meeting in June 2011 with senior staff from Infrastructure Ontario, Toronto 2015, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the City, and a decision was made to pursue Opt!on 3 (a new North Stands).

Given the direction to build a new North Stands, Infrastructure Ontario has modified the Request for Proposal (RFP) language to reflect construction of a brand new 22,500 seat stadium. The project is still expected to meet its $155-million budget.

Here are some very early renders:

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/1354/ivorwynne2edit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/ivorwynne2edit.jpg/)

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2161/ivorwynne3edit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/8/ivorwynne3edit.jpg/)

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 10:19 PM

Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Stadia And Velodrome Projects Attract Industry Interest (http://www1.infrastructureontario.ca/en/panam/velodrome%20and%20stadium/Files/Stadia_Velodrome%20short-list%20NR.pdf)
August 12, 2011

TORONTO – Infrastructure Ontario announced today three teams that have been short-listed to design, build and finance three Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games venues.

The project is comprised of two stadiums and a velodrome including:
the proposed Ivor Wynne Stadium which will be one of the host venues for soccer;
the proposed velodrome which will host the track cycling competition; and
the proposed York University stadium which will host the athletics competitions.

Based on the request for qualifications process that began in February 2011, the three teams short-listed for the request for proposals stage for the stadia and velodrome projects include:

Bird/Turner Stadium Co.
Developer: Bird/Turner Joint Venture
Design: Populous and Kasian Architecture
Construction: Bird Design-Build Construction / Turner Construction Company
Financial Advisor: Investec / HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions

Ontario Sports Solutions
Developer: Bouygues Building Canada Inc. and kenaidan Contracting Ltd.
Design: Cannon Design / Faulkner Browns Architects / Arup Associates
Construction: Bouygues Building Canada Inc. / Kenaidan Contracting Ltd.
Financial Advisor: National Bank

United Sports
Developer: Laing O’Rourke / Bondfield Construction Company Limited
Design: ZAS Architects / HKS Architects
Construction: Laing O’Rourke / Bondfield Construction Company Limited
Financial Advisor: Rocklynn Capital Inc. / KPMG LLP

Companies were selected based on their development, design, construction and financial capacity to undertake projects of this size and complexity. The three short-listed companies will be invited to respond to a request for proposals, expected to be issued within the next several weeks. The projects will provide a sizable stimulus to Ontario’s economy by directly and indirectly creating and supporting hundreds of jobs.

Infrastructure Ontario and TO2015 are working with municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, universities and provincial agencies to procure and deliver the Athletes’ Village and Games venues, such as the stadia and velodrome facilities.

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 10:50 PM

Molson Stadium toast of the CFL (http://www.vancouversun.com/story_print.html?id=5403779&sponsor=)
Taylor Field, Ivor Wynne, Rogers Centre also provide great game-day experiences
Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun September 14, 2011

VANCOUVER — With the Empire Field, stadium-in-a-can experience behind us, we look forward to the 21st-century creature comforts of refurbished BC Place Stadium in two weeks’ time. And, at a Tiffany’s-style price tag of $585 million, there’d better be lots of them.

Will it become our favourite place to catch a CFL game? Hard to say, until we’ve seen it.

For now, we submit our rankings of the best game-day experiences for fans and media in the CFL, knowing that BC Place/Telus Field could change the dynamic dramatically.

1. Percival Molson Stadium (Montreal)

The climb to the stadium on the McGill University campus, along the steep, leafy sidewalks of downtown Montreal, below Mont Royal, is a sybaritic experience. Love the backdrop of the Montreal skyline and the familiar voice of bilingual house announcer Jacques Moreau, whose joie de vivre following an Alouettes’ first down is infectious. It may be the CFL’s smallest cathedral (just over 25,000 seats), but Montreal football fanatics regard Molson Stadium with some of the same endearment Cubs fans hold for Wrigley Field.

2. Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field (Regina)

Does anyone have more fun than Roughrider fans? Hard to find anyone here without a melon for a headpiece, green war paint or a giant foam finger. In fact, I believe you’re barred entry if you’re not wearing a shade of clothing that can’t be traced to a leprechaun. The pre-game gathering spot – featuring beer, barbecue and country music – is one giant tailgate party without the cars. Verbal abuse is heaped on opponents, but many visiting players seem to love it. It’s a reminder of the cacophonous U.S. college football atmosphere they left behind.

3. Ivor Wynne Stadium (Hamilton)

Ivor Wynne is a throwback to football’s prehistoric past, when the game was played by working-class heroes in the shadows of steel mills, smokestacks and mine tailings.

The 81-year-old structure is unvarnished, un-chic and gritty, like The Hammer itself. About to face the wrecking ball, its old bones will go the way of leather helmets. Still, the new Ivor Wynne will retain the same footprint and the unabashedly industrial feel, artfully fusing Ticat glories past with the future, as the familiar stacks and fires of Steeltown illuminate the night sky.

4. Rogers Centre (Toronto)

The home of the Blue Jays, the Argos and monster-truck pulls gets a bad rap. Architect Rob Robbie’s giant parking garage leaves many sports fans cold, but never when it comes to body temperature.

While the stadium’s footprint makes the place anything but intimate, and far from ideal as a football playground, the Argos go the extra mile to make it a worthwhile fan experience. If only the football team was up to the quality of the game presentation and their kickin’ band, the Argo-Notes. In terms of a working press environment, it’s first-rate, especially with the best press box announcer in the land, Brian Snelgrove, on hand.

5. Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)

Perhaps no Canadian city has got more bang for its stadium bucks than Edmonton. The ravages of time and weather are lethal to a 60,000-seat amphitheatre in northern Alberta.

Still, Commonwealth has held up surprisingly well, since its opening in 1978. It also scores points for being near light-rail transit. Nonetheless, as much as we admire Albertans for their thrift when it comes to large construction projects, there was no attempt to make any kind of statement with Commonwealth. Charmless, but it does the job.

6. McMahon Stadium, Calgary

By the sheer numbers, and the fact they’re usually searing Alberta beef, Stampeder fans provide the best tailgate experience in the CFL.

But the 50-year-old stadium itself, though well-kept and maintained, is being left in the dust by newer structures. The elevator to the press box and suites must be the oldest lift in the West. The hours, totalling weeks over the course of a reporter’s career, riding it to the top represent precious time that can never be recovered.

The saving grace is watching a cowgirl ride a horse after every Stampeder touchdown.

7. BC Place, Vancouver (before reconstruction)

Boiling in summer, freezing in the fall, the dome kept the good weather out and the bad weather in. Hermetically sealed, it was spiritually and esthetically cold, doing its best to disguise the fact it was situated in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

At least Empire Field reminded us that its setting was the best there ever was for a gladiatorial extravaganza. With a new lightness and airiness, however, BC Place gives promise of improving on what was right about Empire, while eliminating the nagging little details that were wrong.

8. Canad Inns Stadium (Winnipeg)

Old can be quaint. But in this case, cuteness borders on desolation. Never warmed to the place after being locked in after a game. Nearly turned into a Popsicle another time, waiting for a cab … But relief is only months away.

A new 33,500-seat stadium, with a corrugated metal roof, restaurant, 52 suites, walk of fame, parking garage and other amenities is in an accelerated construction stage on the University of Manitoba campus. Bombers could go from worst-to-first, not only in the standings, but also in stadium appeal and iconic architecture.

elly63

September 25th, 2011, 10:53 PM

Good general article on the financial side to running a stadium - elly63

Mitchell answers questions (http://www.thespec.com/sports/ticats/article/587582--mitchell-answers-questions)
Steve Milton Sep 01 2011 theSpec.com

At first blush, it all seems counterintuitive.

How can building new stands on the north side of Ivor Wynne Stadium not cost more than renovating the current ones?

And how can the significantly reduced seating capacity — from the original 25,000 seats to a reported 22,500 — not negatively impact the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ bottom line?

Those were among the nagging questions after it was revealed last week that plans for the Pan Am Stadium on the current site of Ivor Wynne now call for the entire north stands to be torn down and rebuilt, instead of being refurbished atop the current infrastructure.

“This is absolutely and positively the most cost-efficient and responsible decision,” Ticat president Scott Mitchell answered Wednesday. “This isn’t a good thing, it’s a great thing.”

By agreeing to the reduced seat inventory, the Ticats made a major concession to Infrastructure Ontario to keep construction costs at the original estimate.

And, Mitchell says, potential builders will welcome the idea of constructing the north stands from the ground up, rather than trying to work around existing flaws, many of which are major.

“That’s 100 per cent accurate,” Mitchell said. “This creates cost certainty in the construction phase. You never know what you’re going to find out when you renovate. It might have involved all kinds of (capital) expense that wasn’t anticipated. And this prohibits the city from potentially having to spend tens of millions of dollars in maintenance of the north stands in the next few years.”

Additionally, having renovated north stands with uncomfortable bench seating and the same washroom and concession facilities as in the past would have meant that the Cats, and the city, were going to operate, in effect, two different facilities.

“What was clearly emerging was a have-versus-have-not scenario on the two sides of the stadium,” he said. “And that’s not conducive to effective cost management or a good in-stadium experience.”

The Tiger-Cats need to derive $10 million per year, or roughly $1 million per game, from ticket sales. Mitchell, bound by a confidentiality clause, would not comment on the exact capacity of the new stadium. But assuming the 22,500 figure is accurate, at an average $50 per ticket, the Cats will cover the $10 million as long as they sell out most games.

And a smaller stadium actually helps dramatically with that. Increasing the demand for tickets because there is a limited supply should translate into more season ticket holders than the current number, estimated to be slightly under 15,000. The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox have always operated that way because of their old, small stadiums, but in 1990 the Baltimore Orioles became the first professional sports team to deliberately build a new stadium smaller than their old one. That forces fans to buy season’s tickets for fear that they won’t be able to get the tickets for games they really want. Then, weather and the competitive state of the team don’t affect sales as profoundly. The Montreal Alouettes had the same situation with the 20,000-seat Molson Stadium, and sold out every game for years.

The Ticats average between 23,000 and 24,000 spectators per game but about 20 per cent of them enjoy complimentary tickets, significantly lower than the figure from three years ago but still nearly double the industry standard. Tightening up on contra (tickets instead of cash, paid for services) and special group sales will allow the Cats to realize full income from a far greater percentage of the seats.

“So the biggest casualty in the capacity reduction will be those contra deals and big corporate buys,” Mitchell said.

The break-even point for most CFL teams is believed to be about $15 million in total annual income. With recent huge increases in TV viewership, broadcast revenues are expected to double or triple in the next couple of years, taking a big bite out of the $5 million income required beyond ticket sales. While the number of high-rent corporate boxes and club seats slated for the new stadium have not been revealed, there are going to be at least twice as many as there are now, adding more income potential to the Cats’ balance sheet.

“And clearly, we’ll have major increased revenue from concessions and merchandising because of an enhanced stadium experience,” Mitchell says. “It will also be a better experience for our corporate partners.”

The Ticats plan to cap individual season ticket sales at between 17,000 and 18,000. Season’s tickets prices for 2011 range from $14 per game in the end zone to $160 for the box seats at midfield. Those prices are expected to rise by two per cent next year.

But the team announced Wednesday that season’s tickets for 2012, the last season at Ivor Wynne, would cost the same as tickets for 2014, the first season in the new stadium.

“We wanted to nip in the bud all the talk that ‘I won’t be able to go to the new stadium because I can’t afford it,’” Mitchell explained.

Mitchell also said that the $1.3 million rent the Cats will pay the city in the new stadium will be the highest in the CFL and that the more income the club makes, the more the city will make on their rake-off of the profit, over and above the rental agreement.

And, he says, the seating capacity on opening day doesn’t have to remain that way. He wouldn’t comment directly, but the configuration of the new stadium has to include room for enough temporary seating to reach the 40,000 minimum required to play host to a Grey Cup Game.

“Infrastructure Ontario will deliver a great stadium, but obviously there’d be nothing stopping us, as far as far as post-Pan Am Games go, from adding more seating ourselves.”

sbutlik

October 3rd, 2011, 07:10 PM

http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_104916.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_105019.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_104958.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_104939.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_105104.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_105124.jpg
http://www.praa.qc.ca/includes/templates/1/upld/imgs/stade-saputo_105049.jpg

http://www.praa.qc.ca/en/projects/sports-and-recreation/saputo-stadium.html

CVTower

October 6th, 2011, 03:10 AM

I found this article on facebook concerning a possible new stadium in Montreal. I don't speak or read any French, so I don't know what the main idea of the article is

http://tvasports.ca/tvasports/baseball/archives/2011/10/20111005-162842.html

trebor204

October 6th, 2011, 03:31 AM

Using google Translate:

Mario Morissette | Agency QMI

After years of prevarication in choosing a site, the leaders of Baseball Quebec filed last Friday with the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sport plans for a project to build a stadium baseball combined with a national training center.

The land targeted for the erection of this infrastructure are located on street corners and Mill Bridge, near the Lachine Canal.

The lots are owned by Canada Lands Company and the Port of Montreal, an area covered by extensive renovation work.

The preliminary cost of the project eligible for the Development Fund of sport and physical activity are hovering around $ 50 million.

The deadline to submit a grant application for Phase II of the program was September 30.

About a third of the amount would be spent on infrastructure development, as access roads, sewers and other. The City of Montreal could be called to appear in the rectangle of batting!

"We have been discussing five or six years, but this is the first time a specific request is made to the Quebec government," said Maxime Lamarche, director of marketing and events in Baseball Quebec.

"We do not think just to build a baseball stadium, but a multifunctional use for twelve months a year. In breaking down the cost estimates, only half of the subsidy required would be devoted to the erection of the stadium. "

Lamarche said that the minor baseball is growing in membership in recent years.

"We noted an increase in enrollment by 7% last season, and 20% in four years. Our sports studies programs are cramped! There is a lack of space, whether the Academy of Baseball Canada (active center Claude-Robillard) or all high school programs that include about 500 players in the province. "

Professional Baseball

According to the plans prepared by the architectural firm Smith, Squire and Partners and the engineering group SM, the stadium would have between 5000 and 6000 seats. Sport lived together with the component of outdoor performances and community areas are managed for recreational activities in this sector.

A club professional baseball minor would be the main tenant of the stadium.

Stakeholders and business working for several years to implement a CanAm League club in the metropolis. Sites in Longueuil, in the borough and two on the North Shore had been scrutinized.

"No professional baseball stadium was built in Montreal in 1928 from DeLorimier! Baseball was not the primary purpose of the Jarry Park or the Olympic Stadium. I think the CanAm is a better option than the affiliated minor league baseball. AA level in Montreal, I do not believe it, "slice Lamarche, a former employee and player of the Quebec Capitales.

The cost of acquiring a minor league baseball franchise affiliated is no longer within reach of every budget.

Last week, the farm team of the New York Yankees in the league New York / Penn (League of recruits, short season), stationed at Staten Island (a suburb of New York) was sold for $ 11 million USD .

Hieber

October 15th, 2011, 08:23 PM

Saputo and BMO field really have to do something about the exposed support columns :S

And BMO field really needs to close up the corners with more seats and slap a roof on the arena. It is actually such a simple and ugly stadium if you think about it.

isaidso

October 18th, 2011, 10:34 AM

Soccer is an emerging sport in Canada. It's unrealistic to expect Canada to be building elaborate expensive stadia for soccer. There's only enough money in Canadian soccer.

JYDA

November 21st, 2011, 09:59 PM

Stade Saputo construction update

zuBPi_Qumus

carnifex2005

November 23rd, 2011, 01:25 AM

Sounds like this is in the very early stages, but it definitely send ripples through the NHL if it goes through.

19,500 SEAT ARENA POSSIBLE FOR MARKHAM, ONTARIO (http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381071)

It needs to be said up front, and quite emphatically, that the NHL has no plans to put a second franchise in southern Ontario.

But if the league's view on that should ever change, there is a potential 19,500-seat arena project in Markham, Ont., that could one day turn out to be a viable option.

Sources tell TSN that Graeme Roustan, the chairman of the hockey equipment company, Bauer, who also moonlights as an arena builder, and Toronto-area land developer Rudy Bratty, ranked in 2010 by Canadian Business Magazine as the 62nd richest man in Canada with a net worth of $940 million, are working together in a massive real estate venture that includes a 19,500-seat facility that they hope will be built regardless of the NHL interest, or lack thereof, in southern Ontario.

isaidso

November 23rd, 2011, 01:33 AM

Would this be used for by the OHL then? As big as hockey is in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are the only hockey team that manages good attendance. 19,500 seems a bit big.

Lord David

November 23rd, 2011, 11:29 AM

So what, we can see 3 major arenas in a Toronto 2024 Olympics bid?

Toronto - Air Canada Centre
Hamilton - Copps Coliseum
Markham - New Arena

repin

November 23rd, 2011, 04:13 PM

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2010/12/21/sk-stadium-view-lg.jpg

Neda Say

November 23rd, 2011, 06:53 PM

is this what I think it is!?

isaidso

November 25th, 2011, 12:40 PM

^^ It's likely a re-post of a former render. I think official renders are still quite a long way off. I hope they go for the 55,000 seater though.

So what, we can see 3 major arenas in a Toronto 2024 Olympics bid?

Toronto - Air Canada Centre
Hamilton - Copps Coliseum
Markham - New Arena

I'm asking because spending $400 million on an arena with no major tenant isn't going to happen. There are tons of arenas in the Greater Toronto Area already and we don't need 3 NHL sized ones for a 2024 Olympics bid.

Lord David

November 25th, 2011, 12:55 PM

Calvin W

November 25th, 2011, 04:22 PM

^^ Of course not. But having 3 (for say Basketball, Volleyball and Handball finals) will allow for the smaller arenas to be used for their preliminaries (not involving the group Canada and other major nations are in).

So lets build a half billion dollar arena for two weeks of a potential Olympics?

Yah right.....

Might as well build a Domed 50,000 seat stadium for the Riders.....:ohno:

flashman

November 25th, 2011, 05:14 PM

I've been hearing about an arena project for the Markham-Aurora area for over two years, but much of the speculation involved the Stronach family and land they hold in Aurora. The word was that a junior hockey team(Niagara Ice Dogs? Brampton Battalion? Belleville Bulls? Erie Otters?) would move to Newmarket and stay there while the new junior barn(roughly 5-6,000 cap.) was being built, then shift south.

This certainly trumps all that speculation. While Bauer are big players in the hockey world, Bratty certainly brings all sorts of clout to such a project with his property development track record and links in corporate and media circles. I would assume an arena deal would be at the forefront of a much broader commercial and residential project. It's a prosperous area to draw from and could be an inducement to have the Ontario government broaden commuter rail links to the north-east side of the city to match planned development from North York through Vaughan and into Barrie.

Doubt the smaller barn would get built if this deal goes through.

Lord David

November 26th, 2011, 05:38 AM

So lets build a half billion dollar arena for two weeks of a potential Olympics?

Yah right.....

Might as well build a Domed 50,000 seat stadium for the Riders.....:ohno:

Wrong! It would either be already built, or underconstruction. So therefore it would be a proposed venue for an Olympics bid.

Calvin W

November 26th, 2011, 07:40 AM

Wrong! It would either be already built, or underconstruction. So therefore it would be a proposed venue for an Olympics bid.

To be used for two weeks then sit empty or used ny junior or minor league teams?

Let me put it this way, should Melbourne build another 100,000 seat stadium for another potential AFL team and a possible Melbourne Olympic bid?

No sane city or developer would do it...

Lord David

November 26th, 2011, 09:28 AM

^^ Actually, Melbourne WOULD consider building another 100,000 seater stadium, to alleviate congestion of matches between Docklands Stadium (Etihad Stadium) and the MCG.

In fact, the stadium that preceded Docklands, Waverly Park, which was initially designed at 70,000 seats, would have been upgraded to 140,000, given the opportunity (which never eventuated).

Many still consider Docklands to be too small a replacement.

Another large AFL stadium would be considered to permit more matches to be played on the same day when held in Melbourne, but the size would probably just be around the same size as Docklands.

isaidso

November 27th, 2011, 05:47 AM

Might as well build a Domed 50,000 seat stadium for the Riders.....:ohno:

That one has a decent chance of happening. I wouldn't be surprised if they go for 55,000.

Calvin W

November 27th, 2011, 01:33 PM

That one has a decent chance of happening. I wouldn't be surprised if they go for 55,000.

Enough opposition that it is unlikely to ever happen. The people are for it until it comes down to actually paying for it. The rest of the province don't really want to pay for a stadium for Regina. Hard for Regina to come up with the cash to build it themselves.

So stalemate for now. But you never know. It may happen?

isaidso

November 27th, 2011, 01:49 PM

Saskatchewan's growing wealthy, the population is expanding quickly, and the ever popular Riders are community owned. Stadia renewal is happening nation wide and the Riders can't play at Mosaic indefinitely. We'll just have to wait to see how it unfolds.

Perhaps they'll revisit that proposal from the First Nations group:

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/2011/3/1/stadium_52398.jpg

Neda Say

November 28th, 2011, 11:46 PM

Wow! I dig it!

Cjones2451

November 29th, 2011, 06:18 AM

Does anyone know what is happening with this? There was supposed to a "last" appeal by the Friends of Landsdowne heard today?
I really wish they could get going on this so we can have Ottawa back in the CFL and work on getting a 10th team. If that gets done look at the new/ refurbished stadia we would have

2010 - Molson Stadium upgraded to 25,012
2011 - BC Place completely renovated
2012 - New Winnipeg Stadium - 33,500 seats
2014 - New Ivor Wynne Stadium done and potentially Ottawa Frank Clair Stadium

I also believe Edmonton is replacing all the seats at Commonwealth too
If Regina can get a replacement for Mosiac by 2016 and Halifax can get their funding for a stadium for the FIFA Womens World Cup/ CFL franchise like they are hoping, that only leaves Calgary and Toronto with "older" stadiums.

isaidso

November 29th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Ottawa? I have no idea other than Mark Cohen said they'd be playing in 2014 so it must be happening.

Talk from the Halifax municipality is that they will build a stadium with or without the FIFA women's world cup. It increasingly looks like Halifax will get that stadium they've been longing for.

Ottawa in 2014 (so says CFL comish)
Halifax in 2015-2016?

At this point, I'd be more surprised if it didn't happen. Maritimers love football. Putting a team out east is a no brainer. Maybe before the decade is out, we'll also see teams in Quebec City and Victoria.

Lord David

November 29th, 2011, 10:17 AM

The CFL should expand.

Bring teams to Moncton, Halifax and Quebec City.

Victoria is possible, if one considers an expanded Centennial Stadium, or a purpose built new stadium.

Modernization of stadiums is a must, 25,000 seats (individual, no more bleachers) minimum, at least 1 video score board, press boxes and skyboxes, night time game lighting etc.

isaidso

November 29th, 2011, 10:25 AM

Unfortunately, I doubt the Maritimes will get 2 teams. It will either go to Halifax or Moncton, not both. Victoria is the biggest population centre in the west without a team, but I'm not sure if they are ready for pro football.

Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley has interesting potential. They're just too small right now, but maybe in 2030.

What channel carried the Grey Cup in Australia?

Lord David

November 29th, 2011, 11:28 AM

^^ None, well none of our free to air channels. We get the Superbowl here and Euro championship matches, but no CFL. I guess it would be on pay TV.

For a national football sport, CFL really does need to expand and become modern, the AFL is slowing expanding into new markets. Perhaps in 10-20 years time we'd be fielding as many teams as the NFL has.

Walbanger

November 29th, 2011, 12:21 PM

^^ the CFL grew very differently to how the AFL did. You won't find a CFL in the future with 9 teams in one metro let alone 3.

isaidso

November 29th, 2011, 01:07 PM

None, well none of our free to air channels. We get the Superbowl here and Euro championship matches, but no CFL. I guess it would be on pay TV.

For a national football sport, CFL really does need to expand and become modern, the AFL is slowing expanding into new markets. Perhaps in 10-20 years time we'd be fielding as many teams as the NFL has.

I believe it's on one of your pay television channels, but I can't remember which one. It's too bad that the Grey Cup isn't televised on free to air in Australia. I doubt you get much content from Canada and it would give Australians a rare glimpse into our culture. As far as expansion goes, the CFL will never develop the same way that sports leagues do in Australia or Europe.

With the exception of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, teams are located in cities of 750,000 or more. The economic model for franchises makes the possibility of long term viability very difficult in cities significantly smaller than that. Ottawa and Quebec City are the only places without a team that are deemed large enough to support a CFL franchise.

Franchises can work in smaller places like Halifax, but it becomes a much riskier proposition. Does Halifax have a large enough corporate base? Can they average 25,000/game which is considered the break even point? Can they draw 45,000 when hosting a Grey Cup? Could Halifax put on a decent Grey Cup festival and parade? Would a Halifax team increase broadcast revenues enough to make it worthwhile for the CFL? Would the admittance of another small market team make the CFL appear more minor league and thus damage the image of the league in the eyes of fans in the other markets?

There is no way that the league will go to 16-20 teams as it would mean smaller teams bringing in less money than the ones that exist today. Big market teams like Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto would find it increasingly difficult to market the product in their respective markets. They don't want teams setting up in places like Moncton or Kelowna. They want to keep the CFL a big city league, or as close to that as possible.

It's a difficult bridge to gap for the CFL. In the eyes of the big market teams, the league is too minor league already because it has teams in places like Winnipeg and Regina. The reality is that it's those small market teams that are carrying the whole league. Much like Melbourne carries the AFL, it's these small cities where devotion to the Canadian Football League is greatest.

Expansion must happen though. 8 teams is just not going to cut it going forward and the CFL needs to become a truly national league. That means plugging the glaring holes that exist: no team in the capital, no team in the Maritimes, and only 1 team each in two heavily populated provinces: Quebec and BC.

The CFL's smartest course is to limit expansion to a few choice cities: Ottawa, Quebec City, and Halifax. It's then to develop these small market teams to the point where they're major league franchises that just happen to be based in minor league markets. If it fails, people in places like Toronto will stop supporting the league altogether.

Losing the Toronto market is not an option for the CFL. The Toronto Argonauts are the oldest professional sports team in north America and the Toronto area is home to corporate Canada, most of the nation's media, and almost 25% of the national population. If Toronto fails, Hamilton would likely follow. If that happens, the entire Eastern Conference is in peril. The CFL has many strengths, but Toronto is its achilles heel.

isaidso

November 29th, 2011, 01:55 PM

There are some great shots of newly renovated BC Place in here, so I'll make an exception and post this video:

2011 Grey Cup, BC Place Stadium
Wad79UfKvXc&feature=related

I love love love this league...nice stadium too! :okay:

Lord David

November 29th, 2011, 08:54 PM

^^ the CFL grew very differently to how the AFL did. You won't find a CFL in the future with 9 teams in one metro let alone 3.

No of course not, but by adding more teams in Provincial cities, you could create local derby's and such, as well as rightfully expanding the game.

Calvin W

November 30th, 2011, 05:30 AM

No of course not, but by adding more teams in Provincial cities, you could create local derby's and such, as well as rightfully expanding the game.

Well true be told, the CFL will never be the Canadian equal to the NFL, and that is the way it should be. The CFL as is with a few more teams, 12 max for the forseeable future will be just about right. Expanding to "provincial cities" is not a viable future for the league.

AFL going to expand to provincial cities? Other tha Tasmania and Canberra, what other cities could successfully run a team? Darwin? Bendigo? Ballarat? Townsville?

Walbanger

November 30th, 2011, 06:38 AM

^^ True. The AFL will have a 3rd team in Perth before one in Newcastle, Darwin, Townsville etc. North Melbourne think they are going to do something in Ballarat but they will pushed to extinction or Tasmania after the next TV rights contract is up.

isaidso

November 30th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Well true be told, the CFL will never be the Canadian equal to the NFL, and that is the way it should be.

And why is that? It used to be every bit the equivalent; there's no reason why it couldn't get back there. With the exception of Toronto, the CFL is still hugely popular in this country.

Lord David

November 30th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Well true be told, the CFL will never be the Canadian equal to the NFL, and that is the way it should be. The CFL as is with a few more teams, 12 max for the forseeable future will be just about right. Expanding to "provincial cities" is not a viable future for the league.

AFL going to expand to interstate cities? Other tha Tasmania and Canberra, what other cities could successfully run a team? Darwin? Bendigo? Ballarat? Townsville?

Darwin could host a team since Aussie Rules is popular there, but the small population couldn't possibly invest in a major stadium or support it.

Bendigo and Ballarat could support teams, but the question of a stadium (proper AFL standard) is always the key. They do have teams in the Victorian Football League though.

koolio

December 1st, 2011, 04:26 AM

Canada has the population to support a 20 team CFL but unfortunately the most populous part of the country (Southern Ontario) has little to no interest in the league anymore. Given that, I think 12 teams is the goal that the league should really aim for if they are even remotely ambitious. Ottawa and an Atlantic Canada team should be a given, taking the league to 10 teams. Apart from that, Quebec City, for all intents and purposes, should have a team. Football has grown a lot in popularity in the province and the city in particular. Unfortunately I think Laval University holds quite a bit of sway within the city and I don't think they want a professional football team to compete with their football program. In addition to QC, I would say that Victoria should be granted a team. It may not be financially viable right away but it can be a solid fixture in the future. It will increase the interest in the sport within the province by providing the Lions with a natural rival.

Unfortunately apart from those two cities, I really do not see any cities that will be even close to being viable within the next 20 or so years. Until/Unless the league becomes popular in Southern Ontario, 12 teams seems to be the potential maximum.

Calvin W

December 1st, 2011, 05:29 AM

Darwin could host a team since Aussie Rules is popular there, but the small population couldn't possibly invest in a major stadium or support it.

Bendigo and Ballarat could support teams, but the question of a stadium (proper AFL standard) is always the key. They do have teams in the Victorian Football League though.

VFL is great as a junior/minor league....Canada has a couple of junior/college leagues in Football as well. Many popular teams.

No way Darwin will have a teamin your or my life time. 10,000 people turning up weekly won't cut it. A few Victorian teams struggle at the gate to survive. Luckily the league has good tv revenue which helps support a number of teams.

Lord David

December 1st, 2011, 08:53 AM

Neda Say

December 3rd, 2011, 11:31 PM

I'd be more than glad to just have Ottawa Back alongside a team in either Halifax or Moncton! Then if Quebec City could join it would be fun for Quebec fans and a rivalry Victoria/Vancouver would be cherry on top!

Calvin W

December 4th, 2011, 10:59 AM

^^ But Aussie Rules is HUGELY popular in the Northern Territory.

Assuming someone helps in funding their stadium, the crowds will come, eventually.

Say 10,000 home fans, and a couple of 1,000 away fans.

There is the problem and difference between AFL and CFL. The CFL is still largely a gate driven league. No team could survive on such low numbers. 10-12 thousand at a game? No chance in hell. For a team to survive in the CFL, 25,000 should be the minimum target for game attendance.

Only a handful of cities in Canada can hope to achieve that.

The CFL is hugely popular in many cities and towns in Canada, From PRince Rupert to St John's. But no chance at having their own team.

Cjones2451

December 12th, 2011, 06:50 AM

Does anyone know anything about what is happening with Lansdowne Park and Frank Clair Stadium?? Have all the court challenges been overcome and are they ready to start on this project?
I know that they have started tearing down the old stands so that they can start on the new ones when they are ready
Hopefully it can start this spring and we can have the CFL back in Ottawa in 2014

isaidso

December 12th, 2011, 07:21 AM

Commissioner Mark Cohen stated that Ottawa will be back in the league for 2014 so it looks like it's happening, all be it at a snail's pace. This is Ottawa after all.

Neda Say

December 12th, 2011, 01:49 PM

Better late than never! Now can the CFL deal with the Quebec City, Halifax and Vancouver Island markets!!!

Cjones2451

December 12th, 2011, 08:25 PM

Better late than never! Now can the CFL deal with the Quebec City, Halifax and Vancouver Island markets!!!

I know many people think Victoria is a good market, but I think the demographic of that market is not there.
Maybe if you market to the entire island (Naniamo, Comox, Campbell River etc)

mattec

December 14th, 2011, 02:21 PM

And why is that? It used to be every bit the equivalent; there's no reason why it couldn't get back there. With the exception of Toronto, the CFL is still hugely popular in this country.

Take off the maple leaf glasses. The NFL is the richest, most powerful league on the planet with a TV contract worth $20.4 billion for 7 years. The CFL's contract is only worth a paltry $80 million over five years. The NFL can draw from 300+ million Americans and even pull in people from Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The CFL can only draw from 34 million Canadians and has little to no reach beyond its borders. The NFL and CFL's budgets are no where close to being the same the salary cap for a CFL team is $4.25 million, where as the NFL team's is $127 million.

Its a numbers game and the CFL's numbers just don't match up.

isaidso

December 15th, 2011, 07:29 PM

Take off the maple leaf glasses.

I'm aware of all that. He said it's the way it should be, when he should have said that's the way things are. The insinuation is completely different.

isaidso

December 15th, 2011, 07:35 PM

I know many people think Victoria is a good market, but I think the demographic of that market is not there.
Maybe if you market to the entire island (Naniamo, Comox, Campbell River etc)

Do you mean they don't have a large enough population base or that the population is culturally not interested in football? The second part may be true, but there's certainly a large enough population. It's also a population that's growing at a good clip.

Cjones2451

December 15th, 2011, 10:25 PM

Do you mean they don't have a large enough population base or that the population is culturally not interested in football? The second part may be true, but there's certainly a large enough population. It's also a population that's growing at a good clip.

Its been 20 years since I lived there, but I always remembered it was "nearly weds and almost deads" that lived there, in other words UVic students and retirees.

Does anyone know what tyoe of attendance numbers the WHL team is getting since they moved back to Victoria?

elly63

December 17th, 2011, 02:24 PM

Bombers' home finds its Investors
Winnipeg-based financial firm etches its name on new stadium (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/bombers-home-finds-its-investors-135643593.html)
Adam Wazny Winnipeg Free Press 12/15/2011

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/935/winnipegstadium.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/winnipegstadium.jpg/)

It was announced Wednesday Investors Group has acquired the naming rights of the new stadium under construction on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus. It will be called Investors Group Field.

The Winnipeg Football Club has extended a long-standing partnership with financial services giant Investors Group to include the naming rights of the new football stadium at the University of Manitoba, it was announced Wednesday. A stadium logo was also revealed, featuring the corporate IG logo, a black serif font with the name Investors Group Field and two white arches -- which will become the signature impression of the facility.

"This is a team that Winnipeggers take pride in... to be able to have some pride in the types of companies that are built, rooted and started here in Winnipeg, we feel that's a good thing," said Murray Taylor, president and CEO of Investors Group.

"We wanted to be a part of that."

Both the Bombers and Investors Group say the move was simply the right fit. Investors is a nationally recognized company based out of Winnipeg and has been a corporate partner with the Bombers for over 35 years -- two major factors in what the football operation was looking for when they put out the call for the naming rights earlier this year.

Jeff Thompson, the chief transition officer in charge is moving the Bombers into the new facility, said the club approached about 100 national and provincial companies during the process -- looking for the right fit both economically and publically -- before drafting a 12-year naming-rights commitment with Investors Group.

"We're very fortunate that we not only met all of our commercial requirements and needs, but we are also so fortunate to have this national company that is 80-plus years old, as we are, and totally aligned with our core values and principles," Thompson said.

The duration of the arrangement between the not-for-profit football club (with its new taxpayer-funded stadium) and the financial group runs until the 2024 season but the monetary details of the deal were not disclosed.

In 2001, the football club sold the naming rights to Winnipeg Stadium to Canad Inns, a Manitoba-based hotel chain, for $1.5 million over 10 years ($150,000 annually).

The deal wasn't great for the Bombers, as they had little leverage with a crumbling stadium and a product that didn't enjoy the rabid fanbase it does today.

Sources in the business community indicate the club was looking for at least $500,000 per year for the rights this time around, but Thompson wouldn't confirm that figure or expand on what Investors Group is on the hook for.

"We're very proud of having a 12-year deal that (meets) all of our financial requirements," he said.

The football stadium is the second sporting venue at the U of M campus that carries the Investors Group brand. The Investors Group Athletic Centre houses both the Bisons men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams, along with the Canadian national women's volleyball program.

The new 33,500-seat bowl stadium (which can be expanded to seat 40,000 for major events) is under construction. Blue Bombers interim CEO Ossama AbouZeid said the building is on schedule and doesn't anticipate any delays in the immediate future.

The $190-million facility is scheduled to open for the start of the 2012 CFL season.

Investors Group Field is just one of three CFL stadiums that have corporate names attached to them (Rogers Centre in Toronto and Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field are the others). Percival Molson Stadium, home of the Montreal Alouettes, is named after the former McGill University athletics star, not the beer company.

elly63

December 17th, 2011, 02:26 PM

Regina city councillors to decide on Mosaic Stadium replacement (http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Regina+city+councillors+decide+Mosaic+Stadium+replacement/5872956/story.html)
Will Chabun, Leader-Post December 16, 2011

REGINA — City councillors will be asked to make one of the biggest decisions in the city's history Monday night when they consider a replacement for aging Mosaic Stadium built not by the city itself but by an innovative public-private partnership or P3.

"We're telling city council that we think this is the right model," Brent Sjoberg, the city's chief financial officer and deputy city manager, told a technical briefing Friday afternoon. "We'll see what they say Monday night."

Describing the recommendation, Sjoberg said the P3 model potentially could bring good value for taxpayers, plus an accelerated schedule because many of the project's specifications have already been written and planning started.

In addition to absorbing some of the financial risk, some private development firms or construction companies have ongoing experience in designing and building stadiums whereas a city only builds a stadium every 30 or 50 years, he said.

The preferred option would be having a private partner design, build, finance and maintain a new stadium, but not necessarily operate it — one of many detail that would be worked out later in the process if the P3 recommendation is backed by councillors, he said.

Also to be worked out is the thorny matter of what type of roof would be installed on the stadium — none, a fixed roof or a fixed roof to be installed later — with the eventual choice a key determinant in the project's cost.

That's why Sjoberg was unable to give a detailed breakdown of the possible cost of such a project, noting that Winnipeg's new open-air stadium is being tagged at around $190 million, while the Saskatchewan government-driven proposal for a domed stadium with a retractable roof had estimates in the range of from $400 million to $500 million in 2010.

The city administration also recommended the stadium replacement project would "stand alone" from the development for housing and offices of other inner-city land around the soon-to-be cleared CPR freight yards plus the land that would be freed up by the eventual closing of Mosaic Stadium if a replacement is built.

Tracing the development of the P3 idea, Sjoberg said the city administration, building on the work done for the province's 2010 domed stadium concept, approached developers, stadium operating firms and construction companies to ask for their thoughts on how to move forward on a replacement for Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, parts of which go back to the 1940s.

In this "market-sounding process", the city and its consultant, Deloitte, had 19 responses from private companies. If council accepts the P3 idea, they'll be presented with more and more details of what the city wants over the next year and screened until only one firm remains.

He said the consensus of these private firms was that if the P3 project goes ahead, they'd likely be able to raise about 50 per cent of the money for it themselves, relying on governments for the remainder.

That would leave the other 50 per cent to be provided by the city and province, and possibly the federal government, In the past, Ottawa has balked at funding stadiums primarily used by pro sports teams, but might be open to helping with infrastructure and housing, he said.

If city council decides Monday night to proceed with this process, it must eventually have to decide on the details of the procurement process, on whether it wants a roof on the stadium, and keep talking with the site's owner, the Canadian Pacific Railway, he added.

elly63

December 17th, 2011, 02:41 PM

Does anyone know what type of attendance numbers the WHL team is getting since they moved back to Victoria?Looks like around 5800 avg for the first nine games (hockey capacity is 7000 according to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre website)

elly63

December 17th, 2011, 09:07 PM

Does anyone know anything about what is happening with Lansdowne Park and Frank Clair Stadium?? Have all the court challenges been overcome and are they ready to start on this project?Opponents of Lansdowne Plan Outline Court Challenge (http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=83296)
Josh Pringle December 15, 2011

The Lansdowne Park Conservancy is outlining its case for why the City of Ottawa should never have entered into a sole sourced deal with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

The group says the entire argument by the City for the deal is based on the CFL franchise.

In court documents, the conservancy says the contract between OSEG and the CFL states a new team in Ottawa "will play at any City of Ottawa stadium."

The conservancy's case will go to court in the New Year.

The Lansdowne Park Conservancy case is separate from the Friends of Lansdowne's challenge to the Lansdowne Park redevelopment.

BoulderGrad

December 18th, 2011, 10:21 PM

Does anyone know what tyoe of attendance numbers the WHL team is getting since they moved back to Victoria?

Looks like around 5800 avg for the first nine games (hockey capacity is 7000 according to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre website)

Most WHL team sites show attendance numbers with the scores list on the schedule page:

http://www.victoriaroyals.com/schedule/list/team/36/time_zone/-180

Welkin

December 21st, 2011, 09:20 PM

Hockey is supposed to be Canada's sport, but it has always surprised me by the low level of attendance of our non-NHL teams. Sure Quebec, London, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver draw well for their WHL, OHL and QMJHL teams, but other hockey "hotbeds" draw rather poorly and don't come close to selling out their arenas. Halifax (5,095), Saskatoon (4,380), Moncton (4,294), Saint John (3,990) and Regina (3,861 that really sucks) get out drawn by teams in warm weather or non-hockey areas like Ontario California (6,683), San Antonio, TX (6,410), Stockton, CA (6,382), Houston, TX (6,312), Charlotte, NC (6,312) and Ft. Myers, FL (5,209). How does a hockey team in Ft. Myers FL outdraw teams in Halifax, Regina and Saskatoon (which all have NHL desire at some point down the road)? I watch games throughout Canada when I travel, and while some teams pack them in, but it surprises me the number of half empty arenas I have sat in while enjoying a night of hockey. Anyone have any thoughts why?

JYDA

December 21st, 2011, 11:20 PM

A few points

1) Most hockey fans are still NHL fans first and junior/AHL 2nd. In a lot of these places, people prefer to watch Hockey Night in Canada on a saturday than go to see a CHL/AHL/ECHL game. The Manitoba Moose had crap attendance last year but the Jets sold out season tickets in 5 minutes. In Hamilton nobody watches or cares about the Bulldogs but season ticket deposits sold out in a flash when Jim Balsillie pulled that stunt with the Predators a few years ago.

2) A lot of the people into hockey in these communities spend their weekends watching their kids play, coaching, refereeing, or even playing themselves. These american cities don't really have this problem.

3) These communities are still fairly small. Regina and Saskatoon are just over 200,000 each. Moncton and Saint John just over 100,000. Halifax is the only one where I can understand the attendance being low within the context of population.

As for the american cities you listed, none of them are all that surprising once you look at their circumstances. San Antonio, Houston and Charlotte are all very large cities. Fort Myers is full of snowbirds and retirees from the north with a lot of time on their hands. Stockton and Ontario are situations where the hockey team is the only show in town with no competition throughout the winter. Not even from college sports. Aside from driving into LA or the Bay area they've got it all to themselves.

Welkin

December 22nd, 2011, 02:13 PM

JYDA, you make some good points. However, hockey to me in Canada is along the same lines as baseball in the states (you can't use football as an example because it draws massive amounts of fans as every level. Some high school teams in the states draw over 20,000 a game). Minor league teams don't draw as well as Major league teams, so the Jets outdrawing the Moose does not surprise me. What would surprise me would be Canadian cities outdrawing U.S. cities in minor league baseball, which is not happening (although Winnipeg draws well). Americans spend their time watching their kids playing baseball, coaching baseball and even playing baseball themselves, but still minor league baseball draws quite well in most American cities. True, minor league hockey may be the only draw in town in Stockton, but I don't see a lot of competition for the sports dollar in Regina or Saskatoon during winter either. Anyway, I am just making a casual observation. I love watching the Knights play in another sold out game. I am just surprised that their passion for their hometown team is not as common in other Canadian cities.

Calvin W

December 23rd, 2011, 10:39 AM

Ok question.

What is the largest arena and stadium currently under consrtuction in Canada? Winnipeg must be the largest stadium, but I can't think of any major arena projects actually under construction.

isaidso

December 23rd, 2011, 11:19 AM

cormiermax

December 23rd, 2011, 07:17 PM

Agree with your explanations. Those US cities are many many times larger than the Canadian cities he's comparing them to.

Halifax? Nova Scotia's sporting culture more closely mirrors a US state than other Canadian provinces. That's why hockey draws what it does in Halifax: attendance isn't impressive by Canadian standards. Hockey shares equal billing with football and basketball provincially. On peninsula Halifax, hockey is likely in 3rd spot.

Hockey is second too no sport in Nova Scotia, specially not Halifax. I think the lower attendance could be attributed too poor team performance over a large number of years, and this year as performance has improved, so has attendance.

Too say football and basketball are more popular in Halifax is foolish.

Jim856796

December 24th, 2011, 03:05 AM

koolio

December 24th, 2011, 03:35 AM

What is there to gain by doing that? Attendance cannot be forced higher. Teams will build stadiums of capacity that maximize their revenues with an eye towards future growth. As long as a team can turn a profit and remain sustainable in the long run, there is no need to overly regulate them.

Calvin W

December 25th, 2011, 03:25 AM

What if any stadium in Canada seating less than 30,000 were ruled inadequate for the CFL's needs? Basically, in the future every CFL stadium (especially any new ones that may be under construction or proposed) will be at, around, or above this capacity, except the Molson Stadium in Montreal, which seats 25,000.

Well the AFL (Australian Football League) has added two new team sin the last few years. Two new stadiums both around 25,000 capacity (Gold Coast and Western Sydney) have been built. Plenty big. But most teams play in stadiums with a much larger capacity. Up to 100,000 capacity for the MCG in fact. Yet the league kept the minimum nice and low.

Why? Better to play to a full house of 25,000 instead of having 25,000 or more empty seats..... Watching a game in a 100,000 seat stadium even with 40,000 people can be somewhat depressing.... No atmosphere.

Cjones2451

January 9th, 2012, 09:08 PM

I found this website for the new Hamilton "Ivor Wynne" Stadium (although I am sure it will have some corporate name after it is done), but has anyone actaully seen any renderings or what it will look like or what the final capacity will be? I have heard as low as 22,500

http://www.newstadiumnewexperience.com/stadium/

Northern Lotus

January 13th, 2012, 11:53 PM

carnifex2005

January 14th, 2012, 12:00 AM

Is this the stadium for the 2015 Pam Am game? That is a very low capacity.

It's only going to be used for soccer.

Calvin W

January 14th, 2012, 07:10 AM

It's only going to be used for soccer.

It will be the Ticats stadium as well after the games.

isaidso

January 14th, 2012, 10:23 PM

Hockey is second too no sport in Nova Scotia, specially not Halifax.

Too say football and basketball are more popular in Halifax is foolish.

Disagree 100%. The most important sports team in Nova Scotia is the Saint Mary's Huskies football team. The most important sporting event in Cape Breton is a basketball tournament. The pro leagues don't exist in this province, so you have to look at high schools and universities. It's football and basketball that matter there, not hockey.

Perhaps in the last 10 years hockey has gotten a big boost due to Sidney Crosby, but that's a departure from historic norms in Nova Scotia. I grew up in Clayton Park and went to Dal. Hockey was completely off the radar the whole 20 years I was there. It was always about the Atlantic Bowl and Final 8. The QMJHL was an after thought followed mainly by people from the sticks.

JYDA

January 15th, 2012, 06:05 AM

I remember a decade ago the CIS final 8 getting huge attendance in Halifax but that went downhill big time.

Cjones2451

January 16th, 2012, 09:45 PM

It's only going to be used for soccer.

I also saw today in the Hamilton Specator that they are considering turninng the field 90 degrees so it will face North - South to be better for players as far as getting the sun in their eyes and leave more room for consessions, etc as they have to fit it into an existing tight space

isaidso

January 17th, 2012, 05:40 AM

I remember a decade ago the CIS final 8 getting huge attendance in Halifax but that went downhill big time.

The Final 8 was awarded to Ottawa for a few years to help develop the market for college basketball in a new part of Canada. It returned to Halifax last March and will be there again this March. I flew east for the tournament and didn't notice a big drop like you suggest. Halifax seems to be the only market in the country that can guarantee crowds regardless of whether a local team makes it to the Final 8.

JYDA

January 17th, 2012, 08:19 AM

The Final 8 was awarded to Ottawa for a few years to help develop the market for college basketball in a new part of Canada. It returned to Halifax last March and will be there again this March. I flew east for the tournament and didn't notice a big drop like you suggest. Halifax seems to be the only market in the country that can guarantee crowds regardless of whether a local team makes it to the Final 8.

They used to fill the Metro Centre. I remember St. FX playing to capacity crowds. It's nothing like that anymore.

carnifex2005

January 18th, 2012, 04:09 AM

The Montreal Impact and Olympic Park announce a four year partnership (http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2012/01/montreal-impact-and-olympic-park-announce-four-year-partnership)

MONTREAL, January 17, 2012 – The Minister of Tourism and minister of the Olympic Park, Ms. Ménard, along with Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo and president of the Olympic Stadium, Mr. David Heurtel, announced on Tuesday a four year partnership between the two organizations, reinforcing the stature of professional sports at the Olympic Stadium.

The deal stipulates that of the 17 regular season home games that the club will play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012, five of those matches will be played at Olympic Stadium, as well as the Canadian Nutrilite Championship game. For the 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons, the Impact should play two or three games at Olympic Stadium, including the home openers.

http://i.imgur.com/D2ZbG.jpg

Good idea. Since the MLS season starts in early March now, it will help with those early games in the season weather wise. Also will help when the Impact try to bring in big name teams in for friendlies.

Maza1987

January 22nd, 2012, 12:38 AM

^good for when they play LA and NY

elly63

January 27th, 2012, 08:09 PM

but has anyone actually seen any renderings or what it will look like or what the final capacity will be? I have heard as low as 22,500Stadium debate takes a new turn (http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/653704--stadium-debate-takes-a-new-turn)
Matthew Van Dongen thespec.com Jan 12 2012

Ivor Wynne stadium appears to be on the move — by about 90 degrees.

Starting in late 2012, the venerable Tiger-Cats stadium will be demolished and rebuilt as a 22,500-seat venue capable of hosting both CFL football and international soccer in advance of the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Rumours have swirled for months the east-west oriented stadium would be reconstructed along north-south lines.

It’s definitely an option, said Lloyd Ferguson, who cochairs the city stadium precinct subcommittee.

“It’s my understanding this has been proposed,” said Ferguson, who wouldn’t reveal how he knows about the stadium swivel. “I’d be surprised if all of the bidders didn’t change (the orientation).”

Pan Am head Ian Troop admitted the layout change has been discussed.

“The Ticats raised it with us early on,” Troop said Thursday in Toronto, where he participated in a groundbreaking for the $514-million Pan Am athletes village.

He said the three competing bid teams have looked at the idea, but added a “confirmed solution” won’t be announced until July.

The layout change could make more room for concessions and fan-friendly facilities. It would also help keep direct sun out of the eyes of players and fans — a bonus for football and Pan Am soccer players alike.

Troop said planners took into account the expert advice of global soccer gurus such as those with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). He couldn’t say whether stadium orientation factored into that discussion, but the federation’s stadium construction guidelines say a north-south orientation is often preferred.

But the layout switch would mean more to Hamiltonians than snazzier concessions and less squinting, said Councillor Bernie Morelli.

The new stadium will stay within its existing block, bounded by Beechwood Avenue, Melrose Avenue, Cannon Street East and Balsam Avenue.

“But if this happens, you’re talking about new parking, new entrances, new traffic patterns potentially,” said Morelli, who is impatient to begin neighbourhood planning around the revamped stadium.

“Who knows, maybe we’d have to think about temporarily closing part of one of those streets for games, or permanently. It’s a little frustrating, because without confirmation (of the layout), we can’t even begin to look at those issues.”

Infrastructure Ontario, the provincial agency overseeing construction of Pan Am legacy facilities, has so far refused to publicly discuss even the specifications for the new stadium beyond the capacity, 22,500 seats, citing the need to protect the competitive bidding process.

City staff assigned to monitor the stadium design process had to sign confidentiality agreements, and Ferguson, Morelli and other committee members have been asked to follow suit.

Ferguson said he’ll sign if it means having access to design details that will help councillors plan responsibly for the community. The finalized bids are due in March, but anyone not in the loop will have to wait for details until July.

elly63

January 27th, 2012, 08:17 PM

elly63

January 27th, 2012, 08:30 PM

Tenders going ahead for Lansdowne redevelopment (http://www2.canada.com/story.html?id=6061734)
David Reevely The Ottawa Citizen January 27, 2012

OTTAWA - While the city waits for a court's ruling on whether its deal to redevelop Lansdowne Park is legal, its private partner is going to tender with plans to renovate Frank Clair Stadium and erect commercial buildings on the site.

The Ontario Sports and Entertainment Group has asked for bids from construction companies wanting to take on the estimated $129.3-million Frank Clair project, which includes a new underground garage and moving many of the pipes and conduits that now serve the Glebe property. Bids close March 1, but the bidders already include PCL Constructors, Broccolini Construction, Pomerleau and EllisDon.

jay stew

January 28th, 2012, 04:06 AM

Any updates on Maple Leaf Gardens?

JYDA

January 28th, 2012, 08:11 AM

Any updates on Maple Leaf Gardens?

Yes there is.

wmqQUx-C8EU

elly63

January 28th, 2012, 03:47 PM

Any updates on Maple Leaf Gardens?I kept expecting they'd find a singing frog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vwy6wIccS0) :)

skyridgeline

February 4th, 2012, 09:54 PM

Do4hWFCTpFE&NR=1

spongeg

February 4th, 2012, 11:07 PM

7famD5cEtFc

elly63

February 6th, 2012, 03:46 AM

New Lansdowne plan almost ready to be unveiled (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Lansdowne+plan+almost+ready+unveiled/6099788/story.html#ixzz1lQHbsqeh)
David Reevely, The Ottawa Citizen February 3, 2012

OTTAWA — The people working on the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park are preparing to show off an updated plan for the project within two weeks, though they’re still struggling with some details.

The list of differences between the city’s design-review panel for the quarter-billion-dollar project and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group’s planners has been whittled down from “absolutely hundreds” to about a dozen, said Capital Councillor David Chernushenko Friday afternoon, after an all-day meeting on the subject.

Chernushenko sits on the city’s design-review panel, which includes planning committee chair Peter Hume and three renowned outside architects and urban designers — George Dark, David Leinster and James Parakh. The group spent most of Friday closeted in city hall’s Colonel By room, along with the city’s project manager Graham Bird and OSEG representatives, trying to agree.

It’s their job to represent the city and the people of Ottawa as the renovation — which includes rebuilding Frank Clair Stadium for a new football team and upgrading the Civic Centre, constructing new commercial and residential buildings on the northern third of the Glebe site, and turning most of the parking lots on the site into real parkland — is planned together with the developers and sports entrepreneurs in OSEG. They’ve met at least a dozen times, in a process that’s taken much longer than it was ever supposed to.

“That has nothing to do with lawsuits and OMB and all the rest,” Chernushenko said, referring to the legal challenge that still awaits a ruling from the Ontario Court of Appeal and a long hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board, which can overturn land-use decisions. “It’s a beast of a project with so many parts and so many players that in order for the design work, the approvals, and us to properly see things in advance and critique them has taken many months longer.”

So long, in fact, that the reconstruction of Bank Street near Lansdowne, which ideally would have been done in lockstep with a lot of the Lansdowne work, is now finished but for some mopping up in the spring, making for new questions about how to fit the two together.

But perhaps the biggest remaining challenge, Chernushenko said, is trees. “How are we going to plant trees in the new boulevards along Holmwood [Avenue] in a way that’ll make sure they become healthy mature trees instead of spindly ornamental things that, far too often in urban settings, are all you can get because you’ve got so little room to work with?” he asks.

Trees need soil to grow in, plus light and water. Squeezing a sapling up through a little gap in paving stones close to the road won’t produce a big shade tree in 20 years. It can be done on the cheap now, but everyone will pay for it later, Chernushenko said.

Another point of contention is where to put ducts for the underground parking garage so it doesn’t vent into the Lansdowne farmers’ market, or at the houses planned for Holmwood. Fitting all the pipes and ducts and other infrastructure together on the historic property in the Glebe is difficult and every idea seems to have a downside, Chernushenko said.

The project’s design is now “quite different” from the last set of drawings the public saw when city council voted to continue with the redevelopment at the end of last summer, Chernushenko said. Not in the big things: the planned new buildings are still where the city and OSEG said they would be (though “they’re actually not as tall, for the most part”), the Horticulture Building is still being moved (to Chernushenko’s dissatisfaction). But they’re now “down to the actual level of design and materials.”

The trick, he said, is to make the buildings look like they fit together and with the rest of the Glebe, without looking identical. “Among the key that we had was the promise that it’s not going to be big box, it’s not going to look like a shopping mall, but how do we do that, how do we actually put that into concrete design terms? So that it has the look and feel of many small-to-medium-sized shops, restaurants, services.”

Simulating the 100 years of organic development that’s created the Glebe is an inherently difficult, maybe impossible, task, and Chernushenko said he quietly won’t be disappointed if it turns out that in 20 years the place has evolved quite a bit. He opposed the direction the Lansdowne redevelopment has taken, he said, partly because the neighbourhood needs more recreational facilities, and if that’s the direction the market eventually pushes the district, that’ll be fine with him.

Chernushenko remains dissatisfied with some of the big things that were already pretty much decided when he won his council seat in late 2010 — the plans to narrow the views of the Aberdeen Pavilion, for instance. And despite the reports that say traffic won’t be a big problem once the project is finished in 2015, his gut says it will. Huge events, when the police direct traffic and a fleet of shuttles brings people in from far and wide, will probably be OK, but an ordinary busy weekend day might not be, he said. He wishes his arguments that the site should be for pedestrians only, and that that would be good for the neighbourhood and for businesses, were having more impact.

But he is satisfied with how well the design reviewers have worked together, saying he could count on one hand the number of times they’ve disagreed on anything substantial. He credited Hume with being adamant about the notion that the renovated Frank Clair Stadium should be a highly accessible “stadium in the park,” where people can shortcut across the football field if the stadium isn’t in use. And he said the panel has done a good job protecting big features people like and are expecting, like the wood-ribbed “veil” along the stadium’s south-side stands.

The next hard part will be enforcing all the agreements in the face of unexpected cost increases and new problems, he said. Chernushenko wants the redevelopment to be as successful as it can be, though he remains a critic.

“We had better make sure that it is special.”

elly63

February 7th, 2012, 11:44 PM

Cjones2451

February 8th, 2012, 12:16 AM

Latest drawings of new Ottawa stadium

http://i40.tinypic.com/sqk37c.jpg
Site rendering Lansdowne Park Redevelopment
Photograph by: M. Compeau, City of Ottawa

http://i42.tinypic.com/28c0rhs.jpg
View of South stands
Photograph by: City of Ottawa

http://i43.tinypic.com/8z1s2t.jpg
Stadium concourse
Photograph by: M. Compeau, City of Ottawa

http://i39.tinypic.com/10zais2.jpg
Stadium concourse
Photograph by: City of Ottawa

I think this is one of the most unique stadium designs and settings. I wish all the BS with the so called "Freinds of Landsdowne" would just go away and they can start building the damn thing. Does anyone know when the ruling on the appeal will be revealed?

Cjones2451

February 8th, 2012, 12:20 AM

It will be so cool when this is done for 2014 along with the New Hamilton Stadium, as well as Winnipeg, BC Place and Molson already done, Edmonton getting new seats for Commonwealth and hopefully a new replacement for Taylor Field underway. All they need now is for Halifax/Moncton/Quebec City to figure out how to get a 25K stadium done and the CFL will be a good looking 10 team league with great buildings for deades to come

Calgary and Toronto.....we need something from you too

koolio

February 8th, 2012, 05:40 AM

Nothing's gonna happen in Toronto. For Calgary, I hope they put all that oil money to good use and build a state of the art facility to replace the disgusting looking McMahon Stadium.

elly63

February 8th, 2012, 10:26 AM

More drawings of new Frank Clair Stadium plans
(All photos courtesy http://ottawa.ca)

http://i43.tinypic.com/nwkm01.jpg
The stadium will have a strong relationship to the park and to the Aberdeen Pavilion.

http://i44.tinypic.com/i1b577.jpg
End zone seating on grass berms will bring the total seating capacity to 24,000

http://i43.tinypic.com/w22b2c.jpg
There will be something to appeal to all ages, tastes and passions.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2iase45.jpg
The new stadium design will provide 22,500 permanent seats for CFL games and professional soccer matches and will be able to host a variety of other entertainment and sporting events.

http://i40.tinypic.com/wqzyoo.jpg
The upper concourse of the new south stands will have concessions and washrooms for fans, offering spectacular views to the Canal.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2hgg5mh.jpg
The veil delaminates and creates openings for people to walk through.

http://i41.tinypic.com/97qgk6.jpg
The stadium will be a showpiece for the park and the city, and a multi-purpose and engaging place when filled with thousands of patrons.

http://i44.tinypic.com/11s2qtx.jpg
The main field level concourse on the south side will provide open views to the field.

http://i40.tinypic.com/i4qqtg.jpg
A view of the south stands from inside the stadium

http://i39.tinypic.com/2czdflw.jpg
A view of the south stands from the new Bank Street entry plaza offers an overview of the field of play.

http://i44.tinypic.com/mh6qvl.jpg
A nightime view of a football game

http://i42.tinypic.com/wrgl1w.jpg
The stadium rises out of the top of the landscaped berm, curving naturally as it rises.

elly63

February 8th, 2012, 11:13 AM

For Calgary, I hope they put all that oil money to good use and build a state of the art facility to replace the disgusting looking McMahon Stadium.There's only two ways to get federal money (in the present environment) to build a stadium. One is on a university campus ie Winnipeg and two as a host for a major international games. If Calgary was smart, here is the opportunity for a new stadium for the Stamps and Dinos. When it comes to getting something like this built in Canada, 10 years isn't necessarily a long way away.

Canada making a pitch for 2022 Commonwealth Games (http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Canada+making+pitch+2022+Commonwealth+Games/6110563/story.html)
Randy Boswell, Postmedia News February 6, 2012

Five years after Halifax's embarrassing, 11th-hour pullout from the race to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the international sporting event's top Canadian official has begun laying the groundwork for a new bid to stage the Games in this country in 2022.

Commonwealth Games Canada chief executive Brian MacPherson told Postmedia News on Monday that he has received expressions of interest already from "more than one" city hoping to welcome the Games to Canada for the fifth time since 1930.

"We're intending to bid," MacPherson said, noting that he has begun taking stock of opinion "internationally and domestically" — including the views of delegates from the world's 54 Commonwealth nations and the heads of international sports federations — on Canada's chances of winning the right to hold the 2022 Games, the host of which will be chosen by November 2015.

MacPherson first disclosed Canada's intentions to host the Games in an interview over the weekend with Inside The Games, the British-based media outlet that monitors developments among international sports organizations.

Seventy-one teams from the 54 Commonwealth nations typically compete in the Commonwealth Games, since Scotland, England and Wales, as well as various British overseas territories and other sub-national jurisdictions, send athletes under their own flags.

"We've had cities come to us and express interest, unsolicited, and it's more than one," said MacPherson, declining to name the potential Canadian hosts that have approached the Ottawa-based sports body.

"It sounds like so far away, but it's not from a process point of view," MacPherson said of the 10-year lead time for planning to host the Games. A key hurdle, he said, is the February 2014 deadline for candidate cities to file a formal notice with the international Commonwealth Games Federation.

And before that deadline arrives, he added, Commonwealth Games Canada would have to choose a single Canadian city from among several potential contenders to carry the Maple Leaf banner into the international selection process.

"It takes a year to stage a domestic bid process to pick that one city you want to move forward with to the international level," said MacPherson. "So hence, we're now doing our due diligence . . . because if we are going to bid, basically by this summer or fall would be the latest" to begin identifying the best Canadian city to nominate.

In March 2007, after Halifax had won the right to be Canada's candidate to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the city withdrew late in the international part of the process due to unforeseen budget concerns.

Canada's loss was Scotland's gain, as Glasgow was named the host city for the 2014 event.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games were recently awarded to Gold Coast, Australia.

MacPherson said Commonwealth Games Canada learned from the scuttled Halifax bid that the process of selecting a Canadian candidate must begin a full decade before the winning city actually hosts the competition.

He describes South Africa as "the wild card" when it comes to potential competitors for hosting the 2022 Games.

"From a region point of view, Africa holds the most votes and it's also a region that has never hosted a Commonwealth Games," said MacPherson, noting that South African officials have signalled the country's interest in holding the 2022 event but "they have not definitively said yes or no."

The 2010 Games in Delhi, India, sparked controversy over the initial readiness of the venue, but the staging of the event was, overall, deemed a success.

Canada hosted the inaugural "Empire" Games in 1930 in Hamilton, then held subsequent Commonwealth Games in Vancouver in 1954, in Edmonton in 1978 and Victoria in 1994.

But MacPherson said more than a quarter-century will have passed between the last time Canada hosted the Games in 1994 and the 2022 competition.

"For us in the Americas region, it's been a long time since there's been a Games in this region," he said, adding that the Conservative government also has set a national policy of trying to host two major international sporting events every decade.

With Vancouver having hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Toronto poised to stage the 2015 Pan-Am Games, MacPherson said holding the Commonwealth Games in Canada in 2022 would be "a natural fit from a timing and policy point of view."