TORONTO - Air Canada Centre (19,800)

canada_habs2004 · October 3rd, 2005, 02:11 AM

This $270 000 000 arena is supposely the nicest and most modern in North America. It's located right in the heart of downtown Toronto, just down the road from the Skydome.

Capacity - 18 800
Opened - 1999

[IMG]group.com/louvers/images/Variation1.jpg[/IMG]

bubomb · October 3rd, 2005, 02:13 AM

I was there last summer. Doesn't look like a stadium from the outside. Nice enough and great facilities, but doesn't do anything for me. Same goes for most arenas.

asohn · October 3rd, 2005, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canada_habs2004

This $270 000 000 arena is supposely the nicest and most modern in North America.

Huh?

CrazyCanuck · October 3rd, 2005, 05:59 AM

It is quite a place, I watched Mats Sundin score two goals while I was taking a wizz a few years back. The box seats are also top notch.

canada_habs2004 · October 3rd, 2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asohn

Huh?

Whatever you want to say.

I guess you don't understand the english language unless it is made terribly simple.

$270 000 000 - as in the cost. price of the arena when it was built.

"Supposely the nicest and most modern in North America"

mean even though it's not a fact, most people who know anything about North American arenas would tell you the nicest would be Air Canada Center in Toronto.

It is a fact however, that the ACC is the #1 TV/Media arena in the NHL, hence the world 'modern'

I hope this makes sense to you now. If not just go ask you mom, I'm sure she can help you

***Jaybird*** · October 3rd, 2005, 11:55 PM

I've been there once, saw a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, 2 1/2 years ago. Haven't been back since. Nice arena, though. I did a rate the arena thread like this too for the Air Canada Centre, but it's gone now. It's too expensive to see games there. I'd rather see them at "The Joe" in Detroit or HSBC Arena in Buffalo.

I'll give it a 7.5/10 this time. I gave it a 6 the other time.

TalB · October 4th, 2005, 12:25 AM

I do like it for having a backdrop of the Toronto skyline.

***www.sercan.de*** · March 30th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

Here's the new western facade of the Air Canada Centre. It's been expanded to make way for a new pedestrian walkway connecting a massive condo tower being built across the street with the arena, and on to Union Station. It's Toronto's largest arena and home to the Toronto Raptors of the NBA and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. First a shot taken from a distance and then a close up. They are getting close to installation of the new video screen.

March 21st
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Courtesy of Silence&Motion at urbantoronto

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...730966&page=50

***hkskyline*** · June 24th, 2009, 08:28 AM

$65m PATH expansion raises hopes; 'Perhaps we can get all the way up to Bloor'
9 June 2009
National Post

Commuters pour off the subways, GO trains and buses before pressing north, past the Union Station hot dog vendors wiping down their metal carts, toward the glass towers along Bay Street and University Avenue.

It's shortly after 8 a. m. and the sidewalks aren't wide enough to support the crush of commuters during peak hours, so when many commuters get off the subway they stay deep underground in the 27-kilometre maze of tunnels known as the PATH.

The city has plans to ease this commuter congestion by extending the PATH from Union Station under York Street to Wellington Street. The $65-million project is funded by the city and the province, and is just one of multiple expansions that will extend the PATH south toward Lakeshore Boulevard and north toward College Park in coming years.

City planners hope the York Street PATH extension will be complete by 2012, but the beginnings of the tunnel system date back to 1900 when T. Eaton Co. joined its main store on Yonge Street to its bargain annex. More than a century later, the tunnels snake for 27 km of retail-lined space underground, connecting buildings from Front Street past Dundas Square. Eventually, the PATH could expand as far south as Queens Quay and as far north as Bloor Street, according to Pam McConnell, the councillor for Toronto Centre-Rosedale.

Expanding the underground pathway comes with some growing pains. The city doesn't get provincial or federal funding for the PATH. While the city and the province are fronting money for the York Street extension, most new PATH expansions are only possible by partnering with private developments. "We're trying to use each and every development in this grid as an opportunity," Ms. McConnell said.

This might mean developers are required to put a knock-out wall along potential PATH expansion zones, instead of a concrete one. The city has say over who can connect to the PATH and provides the signs and maps to help pedestrians navigate the tunnels. Once a building is connected, the walkway space is owned by the private building owner above it.

The decision to expand along with new private developments means the PATH follows the buildings above, rather than the street grid. This can be confusing to tourists and other PATH rookies.

"For first-time users it's a little disorienting, but once you're down here, you get the hang of it," said Manos Sigalas who works in the Royal Bank Plaza and uses the PATH for daily coffee runs.

Although the city views each new development as a potential for PATH expansion, new sections must be able to support retail, such as coffee shops, food courts and doctors offices, said James Parakh, a senior urban designer with the city.

"We don't want it to be just a series of tunnels," he said.

Mr. Parakh said the PATH is unlikely to expand further west toward Spadina Avenue, where there is more residential housing. As the PATH continues its slow expansion, Larry Bourne, a University of Toronto geography professor and Cities Centre interim director, said the city needs to find a balance between future development below ground and vibrancy on downtown streets. "Visitors I take downtown to King and Bay are amazed that there is no retailing," Prof. Bourne said. "They ask, 'Where is it? Is it all in the suburbs?' That's an example of where everything is just sucked downstairs."

Mr. Parakh said the city always prioritizes development above the PATH, to ensure the surface is pedestrian-friendly. "It provides an alternative pedestrian route," Mr. Parakh said. "You can use it, or not use it."

While the city beautifies the space above ground, the heated-in-winter and air-conditioned-in-summer PATH will spread south and north toward towering new developments.

Next year, a new section of the PATH will connect the Air Canada Centre to a 50-storey retail and condo building called Maple Leaf Square. Eventually, four other future high-rises near York Street and Lakeshore Boulevard will join.

Ms. McConnell said she hopes this southern development is the beginning of a push that will take the tunnels south across Lakeshore Boulevard all the way down to Queens Quay and the waterfront.

Plans for expansion north of Dundas Street are longer term, but the 75-storey Aura condo development near College Park at Gerrard Street was required to put a knockout wall along Gerrard Street, said Raz Dhanji, vice-president of sales and marketing for Canderel Stoneridge. "It's part of what the city wants as part of our overall approval process," Mr. Dhanji said.

Mr. Dhanji said the Aura building will be complete in 2012, but the PATH will not connect to it until a still-unconfirmed later date.

If the PATH connects to the Aura building, it will then be connected all the way to the College Park subway station.

Ms. McConnell said there is also potential to connect the PATH to the four hospitals in the area and beyond.

"Perhaps even, in the very far future, we can get all the way up to Bloor," Ms. Mc-Connell said.

eMKay · June 26th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canada_habs2004

mean even though it's not a fact, most people who know anything about North American arenas would tell you the nicest would be Air Canada Center in Toronto.

HUH?

I can think of 20 arenas better than that bland arena

Alx-D · June 26th, 2009, 06:53 PM

^ I agree, the ACC is lackluster. I even prefer HSBC in Buffalo

likasz · June 26th, 2009, 07:21 PM

Guys, can you explain me why in Canada durning basketball or hockey match everybody is singing "Oh Canada" with a performer unlike in the United States where a performer usually sings the Star-Spangled Banner alone.It is a bit strange for me.

eMKay · June 26th, 2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likasz

Guys, can you explain me why in Canada durning basketball or hockey match everybody is singing "Oh Canada" with a performer unlike in the United States where a performer usually sings the Star-Spangled Banner alone.It is a bit strange for me.

I'm not sure I understand the question. Both are sung here, but being in America the fans sing the Star Spangled Banner much louder than Oh Canada. But that's just because there are more Americans in the crowd than Canadians.

jean1991 · June 26th, 2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likasz

Guys, can you explain me why in Canada durning basketball or hockey match everybody is singing "Oh Canada" with a performer unlike in the United States where a performer usually sings the Star-Spangled Banner alone.It is a bit strange for me.

...Obviously...emm..Why would the canadians sing the Star-Spangled Banner, which is the United State anthem...And why would the americans sing Oh Canada?

likasz · June 26th, 2009, 11:37 PM

I mean that Canadians sing loudly their anthem ("Oh Canada") unlike Americans because don't sing loudly their national athemn - "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Canadians sing their national anthemn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCCz...eature=related

In the United States a performer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" usually sings alone.

en1044 · June 27th, 2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likasz

I mean that Canadians sing loudly their anthem ("Oh Canada") unlike Americans because don't sing loudly their national athemn - "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Canadians sing their national anthemn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCCz...eature=related

In the United States a performer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" usually sings alone.

its out of respect usually. We just do things differently.

KingmanIII · June 27th, 2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eMKay

HUH?

I can think of 20 arenas better than that bland arena

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alx-D

^ I agree, the ACC is lackluster. I even prefer HSBC in Buffalo

I was kinda disappointed they didn't incorporate elements of the old Maple Leaf Gardens, which still stands today.

Marcanadian · June 27th, 2009, 02:52 AM

The east side is much nicer than the west side, but in any case, that area is going to be hugely popular once Maple Leaf Square is finished.

image hosted on flickr

eMKay · June 27th, 2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likasz

I mean that Canadians sing loudly their anthem ("Oh Canada") unlike Americans because don't sing loudly their national athemn - "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Canadians sing their national anthemn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCCz...eature=related

In the United States a performer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" usually sings alone.

And I'm telling you you're wrong.

steve617 · June 27th, 2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by en1044

its out of respect usually. We just do things differently.

one country being respectful and the other not? apologies if i misread this

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October 3rd, 2005, 11:55 PM	#6
*Jaybird* Making Detroit look good! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mitchell, Ontario Posts: 3,888 Likes (Received): 20	I've been there once, saw a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, 2 1/2 years ago. Haven't been back since. Nice arena, though. I did a rate the arena thread like this too for the Air Canada Centre, but it's gone now. It's too expensive to see games there. I'd rather see them at "The Joe" in Detroit or HSBC Arena in Buffalo. I'll give it a 7.5/10 this time. I gave it a 6 the other time. __________________ I'm a kind of person feeling like living back in the 1950s, one who favors and enjoys the Golden-age, rust-belt cities of Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, and the Gothic skylines of New York and Philadelphia. In my eye, they have more character, soul, and history to be pictured than today's world-class, cosmopolitan, and sprawling cities. Jaybird's ZENFOLIO Photo Galleries Jaybird's PBASE Photo Galleries Last edited by Jaybird; October 4th, 2005 at 12:08 AM.

June 24th, 2009, 08:28 AM	#9
*hkskyline* Hong Kong Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 71,053 Likes (Received): 831	$65m PATH expansion raises hopes; 'Perhaps we can get all the way up to Bloor' 9 June 2009 National Post Commuters pour off the subways, GO trains and buses before pressing north, past the Union Station hot dog vendors wiping down their metal carts, toward the glass towers along Bay Street and University Avenue. It's shortly after 8 a. m. and the sidewalks aren't wide enough to support the crush of commuters during peak hours, so when many commuters get off the subway they stay deep underground in the 27-kilometre maze of tunnels known as the PATH. The city has plans to ease this commuter congestion by extending the PATH from Union Station under York Street to Wellington Street. The $65-million project is funded by the city and the province, and is just one of multiple expansions that will extend the PATH south toward Lakeshore Boulevard and north toward College Park in coming years. City planners hope the York Street PATH extension will be complete by 2012, but the beginnings of the tunnel system date back to 1900 when T. Eaton Co. joined its main store on Yonge Street to its bargain annex. More than a century later, the tunnels snake for 27 km of retail-lined space underground, connecting buildings from Front Street past Dundas Square. Eventually, the PATH could expand as far south as Queens Quay and as far north as Bloor Street, according to Pam McConnell, the councillor for Toronto Centre-Rosedale. Expanding the underground pathway comes with some growing pains. The city doesn't get provincial or federal funding for the PATH. While the city and the province are fronting money for the York Street extension, most new PATH expansions are only possible by partnering with private developments. "We're trying to use each and every development in this grid as an opportunity," Ms. McConnell said. This might mean developers are required to put a knock-out wall along potential PATH expansion zones, instead of a concrete one. The city has say over who can connect to the PATH and provides the signs and maps to help pedestrians navigate the tunnels. Once a building is connected, the walkway space is owned by the private building owner above it. The decision to expand along with new private developments means the PATH follows the buildings above, rather than the street grid. This can be confusing to tourists and other PATH rookies. "For first-time users it's a little disorienting, but once you're down here, you get the hang of it," said Manos Sigalas who works in the Royal Bank Plaza and uses the PATH for daily coffee runs. Although the city views each new development as a potential for PATH expansion, new sections must be able to support retail, such as coffee shops, food courts and doctors offices, said James Parakh, a senior urban designer with the city. "We don't want it to be just a series of tunnels," he said. Mr. Parakh said the PATH is unlikely to expand further west toward Spadina Avenue, where there is more residential housing. As the PATH continues its slow expansion, Larry Bourne, a University of Toronto geography professor and Cities Centre interim director, said the city needs to find a balance between future development below ground and vibrancy on downtown streets. "Visitors I take downtown to King and Bay are amazed that there is no retailing," Prof. Bourne said. "They ask, 'Where is it? Is it all in the suburbs?' That's an example of where everything is just sucked downstairs." Mr. Parakh said the city always prioritizes development above the PATH, to ensure the surface is pedestrian-friendly. "It provides an alternative pedestrian route," Mr. Parakh said. "You can use it, or not use it." While the city beautifies the space above ground, the heated-in-winter and air-conditioned-in-summer PATH will spread south and north toward towering new developments. Next year, a new section of the PATH will connect the Air Canada Centre to a 50-storey retail and condo building called Maple Leaf Square. Eventually, four other future high-rises near York Street and Lakeshore Boulevard will join. Ms. McConnell said she hopes this southern development is the beginning of a push that will take the tunnels south across Lakeshore Boulevard all the way down to Queens Quay and the waterfront. Plans for expansion north of Dundas Street are longer term, but the 75-storey Aura condo development near College Park at Gerrard Street was required to put a knockout wall along Gerrard Street, said Raz Dhanji, vice-president of sales and marketing for Canderel Stoneridge. "It's part of what the city wants as part of our overall approval process," Mr. Dhanji said. Mr. Dhanji said the Aura building will be complete in 2012, but the PATH will not connect to it until a still-unconfirmed later date. If the PATH connects to the Aura building, it will then be connected all the way to the College Park subway station. Ms. McConnell said there is also potential to connect the PATH to the four hospitals in the area and beyond. "Perhaps even, in the very far future, we can get all the way up to Bloor," Ms. Mc-Connell said. __________________ Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Click Here for the Hong Kong Galleries World Photo Gallery - \| New York \| London \| Egypt \| Dubai \| Shanghai \| Xian \| Tokyo \| Kyoto \| Prague Beijing, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Iceland, Sydney, Rocky Mountains, Toronto, and much more!

June 26th, 2009, 07:21 PM	#12
likasz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,005 Likes (Received): 0	Guys, can you explain me why in Canada durning basketball or hockey match everybody is singing "Oh Canada" with a performer unlike in the United States where a performer usually sings the Star-Spangled Banner alone.It is a bit strange for me. Last edited by likasz; June 26th, 2009 at 07:29 PM.

June 27th, 2009, 02:52 AM	#18
Marcanadian Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 9,652 Likes (Received): 54	The east side is much nicer than the west side, but in any case, that area is going to be hugely popular once Maple Leaf Square is finished. image hosted on flickr __________________ Toronto - Southwest England - London - Chicago - Vancouver - Banff National Park - Montréal - Ottawa

October 3rd, 2005, 02:11 AM	#1
canada_habs2004 Skyscraper Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Niagara, Ontario Posts: 93 Likes (Received): 1	TORONTO - Air Canada Centre (19,800) This $270 000 000 arena is supposely the nicest and most modern in North America. It's located right in the heart of downtown Toronto, just down the road from the Skydome. Capacity - 18 800 Opened - 1999 [IMG]group.com/louvers/images/Variation1.jpg[/IMG]

October 3rd, 2005, 02:13 AM	#2
bubomb BANNED Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,094 Likes (Received): 0	I was there last summer. Doesn't look like a stadium from the outside. Nice enough and great facilities, but doesn't do anything for me. Same goes for most arenas.

October 3rd, 2005, 05:59 AM	#4
CrazyCanuck MOD SQUAD Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,722 Likes (Received): 0	It is quite a place, I watched Mats Sundin score two goals while I was taking a wizz a few years back. The box seats are also top notch.

October 4th, 2005, 12:25 AM	#7
TalB BANNED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 7,603 Likes (Received): 0	I do like it for having a backdrop of the Toronto skyline.

June 26th, 2009, 06:53 PM	#11
Alx-D Arch Duke of Canada Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 211 Likes (Received): 0	^ I agree, the ACC is lackluster. I even prefer HSBC in Buffalo

June 26th, 2009, 11:37 PM	#15
likasz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,005 Likes (Received): 0	I mean that Canadians sing loudly their anthem ("Oh Canada") unlike Americans because don't sing loudly their national athemn - "The Star-Spangled Banner". Canadians sing their national anthemn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk&feature=fvst http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCCz...eature=related In the United States a performer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" usually sings alone.

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