Canadian Arenas- The worlds best!
Canadian Arenas- The worlds best!
Canadian Arenas- The worlds best!
It will be 22,500 originally but the TiCats could expand later if they wish. There are several posts on the TiCat stadium in this thread with a very early render (likely no longer accurate). Bids are to be completed by March and no information will be revealed until July.sublime1 said: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 22,500
There is no such rule, merely a guideline. Montreal played several years at 20,000.sublime1 said:If that was the capacity they built the Ti-Cats wouldn't be able to use it. CFL requires all franchises to play in a stadium of 25,000 minimum capacity. But yeah, the league wouldn't allow them to play in a stadium with only 22,500 seats.
It's official: Eastern League to Ottawa in 2013
The reports were true: Conditional upon various baseball approvals, we should see the move of a Class AA Eastern League team to Ottawa Stadium for the 2013 season.
Boston-based Beacon Sports has been negotiating a 10-year lease for Ottawa Stadium, the former home of the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League). The ballpark would be renovated, with capacity going down to $8 million or so; the city will pay $5.7 million for improvements, while Beacon Sports will pay $3 million for a new scoreboard and improvements in player-development facilities (clubhouses, etc.). Including lease payments, Beacon Sports is committing $5.5 million during the 10-year lease.
Here's the full press release from the city of Ottawa:
The City of Ottawa has reached an agreement in principle with a private sector proponent for the Ottawa Stadium that will be recommended to the City’s Finance and Economic Development Committee in a report to be issued later today.
On November 9, 2011, staff presented a report to City Council outlining the process to issue a Request for Offers (RFO) to lease the Ottawa Stadium for long-term baseball use. With Council’s approval, an RFO was issued on November 15, 2011 and closed on December 12, 2011.
The City’s desired outcome for this “best offers to lease” process was to secure a long-term tenant for the baseball field with a valid business plan involving a professional or semi-professional baseball franchise, subsequently minimizing the City’s financial resources directed to the stadium facility. A Fairness Commissioner was retained to ensure the openness, transparency, impartiality and objectivity of the process.
Staff today tabled a report with the results of the RFO process, which recommends that the City negotiate a long-term lease for the use of the stadium with Beacon Sports Capital Partners as the authorized representative for a stipulated professional baseball franchise that is a member of the AA Eastern League of Minor League Baseball. This could potentially mean the return of AA baseball to Ottawa as early as the spring of 2013.
“This is an important milestone towards bringing professional baseball back to the City of Ottawa for the enjoyment of all residents,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Returning pro ball to Ottawa, will allow the City to preserve this important purpose-built facility, maximize the use of an existing City asset and provide an additional recreation venue for our residents. It also permits us to minimize the City’s financial resources being directed to the facility over the long-term.”
In the proposed deal, Beacon Sports proposes a 10-year lease term with two five-year extension options for an AA member club of the Eastern League Minor League Baseball to play at the Ottawa Stadium The governance rules of the Eastern League preclude the acknowledgment of a specific franchise and potential Major League affiliation until approvals for the relocation and designation have been sought and secured.
Beacon Sports is proposing to invest approximately $2,000,000 into the facility for player development improvements and would also lease a new scoreboard that is estimated to cost an additional $1,000,000. In addition, both Beacon and the City would invest equally towards a lifecycle reserve fund.
Prior to the spring of 2013, the City would need to invest approximately $2,700,000 for various deferred lifecycle improvements to the stadium as well as $3,000,000 for various improvements to meet Minor League Baseball standards.
The City has secured an increase in base rent from $108,000 to $257,000 per annum for the initial 10-year term and for the first five-year extension option. This level of rent represents a 240-per-cent annual increase and will contribute significantly towards recovering various start-up costs in order to prepare the stadium for the spring of 2013.
In total, the City will invest $5.7 in capital cost and Beacon Sports will invest $5,500,000 so that baseball can begin at the Stadium in 2013.
Mayor Watson also wishes to commend Councillors Peter Clark, the ward councillor for the facility, as well as Councillors Rick Chiarelli and Bob Monette, for their hard work over the past six months in helping to move this development forward.
“This has been a real team effort involving my Council colleagues,” said Mayor Watson. “The City remains cautiously optimistic that we will be able to secure a major league affiliation – the final major hurdle in bringing baseball back to the City.”
“This is an important facility for the residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe and for residents across the City,” said Councillor Peter Clark.” If there is a cost-effective way to preserve the Ottawa Stadium for its original purpose, then of course I will be supporting the staff report.”
“I am pleased to see that City staff is recommending that the City move to finalize an agreement for the long-term use of the baseball stadium,” said Orleans Ward Councillor Bob Monette. “I have always argued that this exceptional City asset should not be demolished and that the City should do what it can, within a responsible fiscal framework, to bring pro baseball back to the Nation’s Capital. I will continue to work with the Mayor and my Council colleagues on the important next steps that remain to make this project a reality.”
College Ward Councillor Rick Chiarelli, a long-time proponent of baseball in Ottawa, is also delighted to hear that staff will be recommending a long-term lease to Council. “I will continue to be involved in these efforts and also will be voting to maintain the stadium’s original purpose,” he said. “This agreement is more desirable than mothballing this valuable public facility. I am convinced that a new team, under solid management, could market pro baseball as an exciting form of family entertainment for the residents of Ottawa. I also support the decision to protect an important asset in which the people of Ottawa have invested $17 million to build and will continue to have to invest in lifecycle to maintain the stadium over the lifetime of the facility.”
The report will be considered by the Finance and Economic Development Committee on February 16, 2012, and by City Council on February 22, 2012.
The North American Soccer League (NASL) today announced that Ottawa, Ontario has been awarded an expansion franchise. The new team will be owned by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) and play home games at Lansdowne Park. The franchise will commence League play upon the completion of a major stadium reconstruction project which is expected to commence later this year. The North American Soccer League is a Division II men’s outdoor professional soccer league with teams based in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
“We welcome Ottawa to the NASL,” said League Commissioner David Downs. “As we continue to expand and collectively grow professional soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, Ottawa is a natural market with a vibrant business community, large soccer fan base and an exceptional ownership group.”
OSEG partner John Pugh, who is also the CEO and Owner of the Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, has been named President of the new NASL franchise. Pugh says he’s committed to building a successful team on and off the field: "This will be, by far, the highest calibre of soccer we’ll have seen in Ottawa since the 2007 FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup,” said Pugh. “We are committed to fielding a competitive team from the get-go, providing a lively, entertaining game day experience for families and establishing strong ties with all soccer players and fans across the region. It’s a privilege to have this opportunity.”
Ottawa’s new 24,000 seat soccer-friendly downtown stadium will be built to exact FIFA specifications. The City of Ottawa and OSEG are partners in the project and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says it’s an exciting time for the entire city: “Residents are excited about NASL soccer, our bid for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, CFL football and other events that will take place in Ottawa thanks to a newly redeveloped Lansdowne Park," said Mayor Watson. "With 65,000 registered players in our region playing the world's game, it’s high time Ottawa had a professional soccer team and a world-class stadium.”
OSEG is offering Ottawa soccer fans an opportunity to reserve the right to purchase season tickets for their NASL team before they become available to the public at large. A limited number of priority reservation numbers (PRNs) are now available for a fully-refundable $25 deposit or free for current season ticket holders for the Ottawa Fury and Ottawa 67’s and PRN holders for Ottawa’s new CFL football franchise Details for this program are available at www.ottawafury.com or www.ottawa67s.com.
Some pics of TELUS Field:Edmonton out of North American League
The Edmonton Capitals have pulled out of the independent North American League, saying only three other Northern Division teams are committed to the circuit for 2012.
The team's presence in the league was seen as iffy by insiders after it became apparent travel mate Calgary Vipers were not going to field a team this season.
From a statement issued by the team:
"With just four teams registered for the 2012 season in the Northern Division of the NAL, down from ten teams in 2009, it is no longer acceptable for the Capitals to continue operations under such circumstances. In addition to the Capitals, the other four squads are based in Yuma, Arizona, San Rafael (San Francisco), California, and Maui, Hawaii."
The team drew 125,000 customers last season at Telus Field. The Capitals are owned by Rexall Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.
With only three teams, the future of the NAL's Northern Division is in serious doubt. However, the league's other division -- six Texas teams playing in five venues -- has already released a schedule that calls for no inter-division play.
That's a shame. I have enjoyed many a game in that ballpark. I am glad to see that Ottawa is getting a minor league team. It is getting harder and harder to catch a minor league game here in Canada.No more baseball at TELUS Field this summer... From BallparkDigest:
Some pics of TELUS Field:
Images courtesy of DGenio
Image courtesy of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation's
There is also a video that explains the project more fully on the Global News page, so click the link if you want to see it.$14 Million in upgrades coming to Mosaic Stadium
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have unveiled plans today for a $14 million Grey Cup Legacy to enhance game day experience.
Phase one will add around 7,000 new temporary seats as well as corporate boxes to the north and south endzone.
The Maxtron will be replaced with a new 60 foot wide digital screen and scoreboard in the northeast endzone.
“This is a very ambitious and much needed plan for Mosaic stadium over the next few years,” stated Riders chairman of the board Roger Brandvold. “Replacing Mosaic stadium still remains our top priority, but certain upgrades needed to be made to get us through the next few years and especially the 2013 grey cup.”
Phase two of the project will add another level of bleacher seats, and bring the stadiums capacity to almost 50, 000 in preparation for the Grey Cup game.
‘While each phase of this plan is a temporary solution, its legacy will make an impact throughout Saskatchewan for decades to come.” Stated Riders president/CEO Jim Hopson. “When the new stadium is ready and the stands are no longer needed, each section can be dismantled and donated to amateur sports programs across our province.”
“The government of Saskatchewan is proud to provide a $6.2 million, low interest loan to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the legacy upgrades,” said Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and sport Bill Hutchinson. “We want to make sure every fan, every visitor and every resident has the best experience possible when they visit Regina.”
Phase one construction will start in 2012.
http://www.globalregina.com/14+million+in+upgrades+coming+to+mosaic+stadium/6442588075/story.html
Mosaic Stadium, Regina, Saskatchewan $14 million upgrade
But this is not that good:
Well, if I thought people would read them instead of asking questions that are already answered in them, I would.Woah there elly.. did you post every news article you could find on the project?
Amen, I don't think you are alone in that view.The over corporatization of professional sports has ruined them to a large degree. It's what I find so refreshing about the CFL and CIS. They're still to a large degree about the sport, the fan, and are accessible.