Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[SteelTown]

Source: KingJames @ https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/toronto-td-coliseum-renovations-m-4s-ovg-bbb.32788/page-74

[J.OT13]

Very happy to see Hamilton get a new team. Hockey in Hamilton has been all over the place the last couple decades with teams coming and leaving.

[craner]

Hope the colors are black, yellow & white

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Very happy to see Hamilton get a new team. Hockey in Hamilton has been all over the place the last couple decades with teams coming and leaving.

It’s really too bad the Leafs have a monopoly on the NHL market is southern Ontario, Hamilton would be a crazy NHL market all on its own with one of the best rivalries with Buffalo in the entire NHL. For Ontario to have 39% of Canada’s population, with the same amount of teams as Alberta, is somewhat of a disgrace of the NHL.

[craner]

Vancouver's MLB expansion hopes lead to intrigue, questions

http://https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/vancouvers-mlb-expansion-hopes-lead-to-intrigue-questions/

Posting this here as there was discussion about Vancouver MLB a couple pages back.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by craner

Vancouver's MLB expansion hopes lead to intrigue, questions

http://https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/vancouvers-mlb-expansion-hopes-lead-to-intrigue-questions/

Posting this here as there was discussion about Vancouver MLB a couple pages back.

Not sure I get the whole "the city will pick a candidate" thing. If there are multiple groups actually serious, then the city needs to back all of them as they go forward with MLB.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

It’s really too bad the Leafs have a monopoly on the NHL market is southern Ontario, Hamilton would be a crazy NHL market all on its own with one of the best rivalries with Buffalo in the entire NHL. For Ontario to have 39% of Canada’s population, with the same amount of teams as Alberta, is somewhat of a disgrace of the NHL.

Meanwhile the Los Angeles area has two teams and the New York City Metro area has three teams, so it's not unprecedented.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Meanwhile the Los Angeles area has two teams and the New York City Metro area has three teams, so it's not unprecedented.

I've mentioned this before, and it's going back quite a few years ago now, but back when the Blackberry guy was talking about various teams moving to Hamilton or Kitchener, the NHL claimed the Leafs did not have veto power. There were several interviews Bill Daly did on Prime Time Sports and other Toronto media at the time where he stated this. Doesn't necessarily mean the Leafs couldn't force some sort of compensation such as the Kings did when the Mighty Ducks joined the league, but his position was the Leafs couldn't stop a move if the league approved it. And in hindsight, it would be curious how such a team would be doing now, if they even were still in SW Ontario. Maybe they would be Quebec's team now.

[SteelTown]

Not only is AHL coming back to Hamilton, it seems like an WNHL franchise coming as well, yippie!!

Sources: Hamilton next in line for PWHL team
May 7, 2026 | 2:30AM ET | IW Magazine
https://www.theicewarriors.ca/sources-hamilton-next-in-line-for-pwhl-team

One day after the PWHL introduced Detroit as the ninth franchise in League history, set to hit the ice next season, sources have told IW that one of the next three clubs to be announced will be housed north of the border.

IW has learned that Hamilton, Ontario, is set to join the PWHL and has been in the process of finalizing details this week.

An official announcement is expected this month, with the PWHL’s expansion phase scheduled to begin May 28.

[Djeffery]

WNHL, really?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Not only is AHL coming back to Hamilton, it seems like an WNHL franchise coming as well, yippie!!

Sources: Hamilton next in line for PWHL team
May 7, 2026 | 2:30AM ET | IW Magazine
https://www.theicewarriors.ca/sources-hamilton-next-in-line-for-pwhl-team

One day after the PWHL introduced Detroit as the ninth franchise in League history, set to hit the ice next season, sources have told IW that one of the next three clubs to be announced will be housed north of the border.

IW has learned that Hamilton, Ontario, is set to join the PWHL and has been in the process of finalizing details this week.

An official announcement is expected this month, with the PWHL’s expansion phase scheduled to begin May 28.

So if Detroit has been confirmed and Hamilton is next, that probably means Halifax and Quebec City are being passed over again.

In the west, I assume Edmonton and Calgary, but I'd like to see something in Saskatchewan.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

WNHL, really?

Pull the team, Hamilton clearly doesn't deserve it.

Originally Posted by J.OT13

So if Detroit has been confirmed and Hamilton is next, that probably means Halifax and Quebec City are being passed over again.

In the west, I assume Edmonton and Calgary, but I'd like to see something in Saskatchewan.

The talk of the town is that the Oilers have blocked the PWHL from using Rogers Place unless they get an ownership stake in the team, which the league is not prepared to offer. So Edmonton went from a sure thing to not happening.

I'd love a team in Saskatchewan too but the PWHL hasn't even acknowledged that province's existence. Saskatoon hasn't even sniffed a Takeover game.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

The talk of the town is that the Oilers have blocked the PWHL from using Rogers Place unless they get an ownership stake in the team, which the league is not prepared to offer. So Edmonton went from a sure thing to not happening.

I'd love a team in Saskatchewan too but the PWHL hasn't even acknowledged that province's existence. Saskatoon hasn't even sniffed a Takeover game.

The City of Edmonton owns Rogers Place. Why do the Oilers even get a say?

Meanwhile in Ottawa, the City and OSEG (owners of the RedBlacks and 67s) decided they'll demolish the 9k Civic Centre for a new 6.5k arena so the Ottawa Charge decided they can't stay at Lansdowne, so the Ottawa Senators invited them to play in their (team owned) arena and will plan the new Downtown arena with the Charge in mind as a secondary tenant.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

The City of Edmonton owns Rogers Place. Why do the Oilers even get a say?

Oilers operate it and evidently get a say in who plays there and on what terms. They forced the Rush to move to Saskatoon when the building opened because the Oilers wouldn't offer a workable lease.

[northernlights99]

My favourite suspect for this new local ownership bid for Vancouver Whitecaps is Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.

Or a group of investors with Aquilini as a partner.

Ryan Reynolds ! But he appears unpopular with fans, he was booed at a game.

I believe this mystery owner should come forward. Otherwise I suspect all of this is smoke and mirrors, a stalling tactic.

There are several revenue streams that have been mentioned.

Ticket sales: I assume Whitecaps take 100 % of ticket revenue.

Naming Rights for the Stadium: could be revenue here, BC Place as a name could be on its last legs.

How about Telus Park ?

Revenue from Parking: what percentage do the Whitecaps take from this?

Revenue from Concessions: same question.

other revenue streams ?

I hear Montreal FC is bleeding money also.

Saputo Stadium is owned by the Saputo family and was built for $ 17 million.

Several commercial partners contributed to financing that stadium, the Saputo family contributed $ 7.5 million.

I've been to a couple of Impact games, stadium holds 20,000 so is on the small side. A similar stadium could work for Vancouver but would have to be larger.

I believe they should resurrect the concept of a new Stadium near Canada Place, on Port Land. Stadiums have been built over railway tracks before.

However if the BC Government is willing to give 100 % of all the stadium's revenue streams to this new owner, maybe there is no need for a new stadium .

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

The talk of the town is that the Oilers have blocked the PWHL from using Rogers Place unless they get an ownership stake in the team, which the league is not prepared to offer. So Edmonton went from a sure thing to not happening.

This from what I hear too.

[many]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

Oilers operate it and evidently get a say in who plays there and on what terms. They forced the Rush to move to Saskatoon when the building opened because the Oilers wouldn't offer a workable lease.

From I read they forced the Rush out when the the owners of Rush wouldn’t sell the team to them, if that’s is true and if PWHL rumor is true as well the only way anything happens in that arena is if oilers own it

[J.OT13]

Obviously the Ice District has been a huge boon for Edmonton, but the City could have signed a better deal. If taxpayers put in most of the money, they should have had more control.

[Calgarian]

I wonder if CSEC would block a team from playing in Scotia Place if they don't get an ownership stake. CSEC owns the Flames, Wranglers, Hitmen and Roughnecks, all of which will play out of the new building. They also own the Stampeders, so a near monopoly on pro sprots teams in Calgary.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Obviously the Ice District has been a huge boon for Edmonton, but the City could have signed a better deal. If taxpayers put in most of the money, they should have had more control.

Yeah, I suspect you should gird your loins - you're not anywhere near prepared for what is about to happen in Ottawa.