CANADA - Stadium and Arena Development News

[isaidso]

Might as well post that very early render for the Hamilton stadium:

[JYDA]

Originally Posted by sublime1

The next TV contract with TSN should be a good chunk of change. Ratings for some CFL games rival NHL games now. Even the nationally broadcast ones on CBC. Of course there are way more NHL games so overall the viewership is higher, but still the CFL undersold themselves. TSN rakes in the profits on CFL games considering they have total broadcast rights and paid almost nothing for it.

To be fair, the ratings were weak back when TSN signed the current deal. The ratings boost has had a lot to do with TSN's commitment to heavily promote and cover the league. The benefits to the CFL of the TSN deal were much more than just the rights fee.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Might as well post that very early render for the Hamilton stadium:

I'm sorry, but that's a joke. That rendering looks worse than most high school football fields in Texas and Florida. I don't understand the small mindedness of the CFL higher ups; perception is everything and if they build this, then the perception will be that the CFL is minor league at best, bush league at worst.

[koolio]

You have the ownership of the Ti-Cats to thank for that. The city of Hamilton was being gifted a brand new stadium for the Pan Am games but their opposition to all the locations being suggested by the government organization killed that plan, so now the plan is basically to renovate the current stadium.

[carnifex2005]

Originally Posted by koolio

You have the ownership of the Ti-Cats to thank for that. The city of Hamilton was being gifted a brand new stadium for the Pan Am games but their opposition to all the locations being suggested by the government organization killed that plan, so now the plan is basically to renovate the current stadium.

I would say both are to blame. The city was hell bent on one location that didn't work for the Ti-Cats but the locations put forward by the Ti-Cats were shot down (for no good reason IMHO) because the old council were far too stubborn. Basically, the old Ivor Wynne location was a bad compromise for both sides.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by koolio

You have the ownership of the Ti-Cats to thank for that. The city of Hamilton was being gifted a brand new stadium for the Pan Am games but their opposition to all the locations being suggested by the government organization killed that plan, so now the plan is basically to renovate the current stadium.

First, they only have so much money ($150 million), the location wouldn't affect how the stadium proper would look. Second, that render is useless, that was when they still thought they could renovate one of the stands and the project then downsized.

There are three bidders for the project, we have no idea how it will look.

And it's not a renovation, it's a completely new stadium. Everything will be torn down (flattened), realigned 90 degrees and rebuilt.

If you want a bad reference, think of a slightly larger stadium than BMO and with over twice the budget. Another example is Winnipeg which is building a fantastic looking stadium with 10,000 more seats at $190 million ($40 million more).

I think the new Ivor Wynne will look great, a small jewel. Bob Young would like something with a retro look (a la Camden/Wrigley/Fenway) We'll have to wait to see if the bidders can deliver.

I wish people would read that article I keep posting about why smaller is better. Bush league is when you have 40,000 seats and 20,000 are empty.

As for the poster who says they have better facilities in Florida and Texas, I don't know about you but I'd rather have my school district putting those millions into education not high school football programs.

[Welkin]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

I'm sorry, but that's a joke. That rendering looks worse than most high school football fields in Texas and Florida. I don't understand the small mindedness of the CFL higher ups; perception is everything and if they build this, then the perception will be that the CFL is minor league at best, bush league at worst.

The CFL only looks "bush league" when you compare it to the NFL. But then again, every league in the world looks bush league when compared to the NFL, so that is not a real slap at the CFL. Not every league can have billion dollar stadiums built by local taxpayers for the benefit of billionaire owners and multi-millionaire players. If you ask me, the CFL is a much more reasonable and fan friendly league than the NFL. CFL players make a decent living, but not so much that they can no longer relate to their fans. CFL players don't have personal chefs and entourages, but again neither do their fans. I can afford to take my family to a CFL game without having to get a second mortgage on my house. I can sit in seats that offer good views (not in the nosebleeds of a 80,000 seat stadium) and watch some pretty decent football. After the game I can take my kids down for an autograph and meet the players (try that in the NFL). The NFL has become the corporate football league and has gotten so expensive for fans to go to games that most now stay home and watch it on TV. CFL teams still understand that they are part of a community, not part of a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry. If that makes them bush league then that is just fine. You and your "superior" league can just stay south of the border.

[elly63]

^ Couldn't have said it better.

I think I mentioned in a previous post (maybe it wasn't here) a piece of trivia that surprises people. Two years ago the CFL had the sixth highest average attendance of any professional league in the world (it is now seventh at 27,785).

Compare that to Serie A (24,031), MLS (17,872), and Nippon Professional Baseball (25,626)

Bush league indeed!

[GunnerJacket]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

I don't understand the small mindedness of the CFL higher ups; perception is everything and if they build this, then the perception will be that the CFL is minor league at best, bush league at worst.

Not to pile on but I'll have to add to the responses from welkin and elly here and illustrate that if anything the CFL has proven to be pretty shrewd business managers in light of their circumstances. Much like MLS they're making the most of their limited resources and not trying to grasp beyond their reach. May mean they're not first up the mountain, but they're still on the face and climbing.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by GunnerJacket

that if anything the CFL has proven to be pretty shrewd business managers in light of their circumstances. Much like MLS they're making the most of their limited resources and not trying to grasp beyond their reach.

Eskimos budget looking up
TERRY JONES, QMI Agency

EDMONTON - It was almost embarrassing to hear the new Edmonton Eskimos’ president and CEO Len Rhodes make his statements at the annual general meeting of the team Tuesday.

But if you listened hard …

If you pushed for actual content …

Well, in there somewhere was reason to believe maybe the Eskimos might have come to an end of being the cheap, won’t-spend-a-dime-to-make-a-dollar mom-and-pop business they’d become since the Norm Kimball era.

But in his first address to those assembled at he AGM, Rhodes sounded like a fast-talking all-hat, no-cattle flim-flam man.

“Our vision is to deliver an overall sports and entertainment experience worthy of champions. Our mission is to challenge and lead through performance, innovation and creativity. We will create an environment that fosters strong employee engagement through a set of corporate values and include integrity, optimism, accessibility, authenticity, passion and professionalism … yadda, yadda, yadda.”

If you hadn’t dialed out by that point, you would have heard him make the statement.

“We will have the best game-day experience in Canada, North America and the world.”

Say what? This from a guy who has yet to attend an Eskimo game in Commonwealth Stadium in person?

In the entire history of the CFL, I’m not sure if anyone has ever come close to over-promising to that extent.

It wasn’t until cross-examination one was able to discover there was some actual content behind all that bull spit.

When we last left the Eskimos they had one sales employee. Greg Treble, after cross examination, we discover, suddenly has a sales and sponsorship staff with three department heads, three people in group sales, another in season tickets and another in inside sales.

That’s going from one to nine people.

“I believe you have to make an investment to get a return, not just wait for renewals to come in,” he said.

Bingo! Now you’re talkin’.

Rhodes also revealed in a private interview that he’d convinced the board to free up a quarter million dollars to spend on event experience and environment.

“Football isn’t like hockey. You can create 10 events. That’s hard to do with 41. In football you can turn each game into a happening. With $25,000 a game we can provide a lot of extra entertainment,” said Rhodes, who promises half-time shows significantly beyond the sad and sorry productions of the past.

One other thing: he talked about giving the stadium back to the fans. Interview him after the fancy talk and you find out there are actual specifics.

The wire mesh fence between the fans and the field that made Edmonton look like a third world soccer outfit, will be coming down. The Jackie Parker room and Quarterback Club will no longer be exclusive but will be open to all fans, with buffets under $20. The Green & Gold club will return. The ban on peanuts may even be lifted.

Why he didn’t come out and specify all that at the AGM, I don’t know. But now you know.

You should also know the Eskimos have returned to having a Canadian scout like they had when Frank Morris judged talent in the five-in-a-row era and half the new stadium seats will be installed during the season and the other half before the start of the following season.

The best news is that Rhodes is looking at 30,000 fans as a stadium being half empty instead of half full.

The problem with the Eskimos as a business is that it has long been successful in terms of the rest of the league, without really trying.

And Tuesday’s AGM was certainly an example of that.

The financial statement of the community-owned club showed revenue of $17,457,433, up about $1.8 million on the previous year. Expenses were $16,929,627 which, after other items, left the team with a net profit of $473,471 for the season.

Board chairman Allan Sawin said the profit basically came from having the first home playoff game since 2004.

Bottom line? The Eskimos have $9,071,679 in their Heritage Trust Fund.

It’s about time they stopped being cheap and returned to Norm Kimball’s idea of leading the league in every single little area.

[Toronto3]

Lol well in Mississauga... If your not one of the 200 people sitting on the stands than your standing while watching that high school football game...

[isaidso]

I thought high school football was only a big deal in the Maritimes?

[Toronto3]

Lol i've never heard that but really the spirit is born from the rivalry between mine and another close school... So i'm not too sure about other schools in Mississauga

[Commandant]

From BallparkDigest:

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.

[Commandant]

From the NASL website:

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.

[Commandant]

No more baseball at TELUS Field this summer... From BallparkDigest:

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.

Some pics of TELUS Field:

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Images courtesy of DGenio

image hosted on flickr

Image courtesy of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation's

[Welkin]

Originally Posted by Commandant

No more baseball at TELUS Field this summer... From BallparkDigest:



Some pics of TELUS Field:

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Images courtesy of DGenio

image hosted on flickr

Image courtesy of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation's

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.

[carnifex2005]

Originally Posted by Commandant

No more baseball at TELUS Field this summer... From BallparkDigest:



Some pics of TELUS Field:

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Images courtesy of DGenio

image hosted on flickr

Image courtesy of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation's

FC Edmonton of the NASL (Division 2 soccer) are trying to see if they can use that field for this season while they try to get a new soccer specific stadium built for the 2015 Women's World Cup.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Toronto3

Lol i've never heard that but really the spirit is born from the rivalry between mine and another close school... So i'm not too sure about other schools in Mississauga

Some Moncton, NB high school games draw 2000-4000 fans. Everyone goes and they make a whole day out of it.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Welkin

It is getting harder and harder to catch a minor league game here in Canada.

Tell me about it. What's left?