Stadiums and Arenas of Canada part 2

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

For the same reasons pretty much everything else that comes to Canada tends to choose those cities, aside from the '88 Winter Olympics.

IAAF, and Commonwealth Games and Universiade, when they used to mean something. Universiade is why CS expanded by 20k seats and obviously the CG is why it was built.

[wave46]

Originally Posted by elly63

IAAF, and Commonwealth Games and Universiade, when they used to mean something. Universiade is why CS expanded by 20k seats.

I'm not saying Edmonton wouldn't be a decent choice, I'm just figuring from the logical point of view of a large organization.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

I'm not saying Edmonton wouldn't be a decent choice, I'm just figuring from the logical point of view of a large organization.

Which is what? Qatar is logical? The only logic FIFA has is they are illogical, where's Mr Spock when you need him.

[Bourkky]

According to this article, (in french) Canada and Mexico will held 10 games each and USA 60 games. Morocco is the only other nation to have Submitted its application.


http://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/201...saputo-et-le-stade-olympique-en-lice.php

[wave46]

Originally Posted by elly63

Which is what? Qatar is logical? The only logic FIFA has is they are illogical, where's Mr Spock when you need him.

Hey, I'm not picking on Edmonton - I have no horse in this race. But if I was a betting man, that's where I'd put my wager.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by elly63

I don`t think I`ve seen anything specific yet, they`ve been giving vague commentaries about refurbing the Big O and the roof for years. The last I heard was money for the tower but you can`t play soccer in the tower.

Glass panels will give Olympic Stadium tower a new look
Andy Riga, Montreal Gazette July 10, 2017

``As for the Big O’s 23,000-square-metre roof, the Quebec government has said it will announce its decision on whether to replace it in the fall. The new roof being considered would reportedly cost between $200 million and $300 million.``

Correct me if I`m wrong but I don`t think there has been a specific announcement on a large scale refurb like BC Place yet to the stadium itself. I think they might have earmarked some money to keep it standing but I`m talking about things like seat replacement and restructuring within the stadium itself.

Montreal's Olympic Stadium needs $220M facelift, government report says
Olympic park president says money would go to buildings, surrounding parking areas and public spaces
CBC News Mar 31, 2015

I am limited in what I can quote tonight but somewhere on SSP Canada is a post by me that links to an article outlining reno plans for the Big O.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by wave46

Hey, I'm not picking on Edmonton - I have no horse in this race. But if I was a betting man, that's where I'd put my wager.

I'm not going after you but I've been looking at this stuff for over 20 years. There is no rhyme nor reason to how these bodies like FIFA and the IOC act. People here seem to think the biggest or the best will win, not always the case.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I am limited in what I can quote tonight but somewhere on SSP Canada is a post by me that links to an article outlining reno plans for the Big O.

I'm willing to look but a little more help is needed, what's up with the cloak and dagger.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by elly63

I'm willing to look but a little more help is needed

You don't need to look, you just have to believe!

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

You don't need to look, you just have to believe!

My memory isn't as good as it used to be but I only remember vague pronouncements and not specifics. Wasn't there one about creating a 35k section and or making it a national team training headquarters. But I still don't recall specifics. But if you say there was I believe you.

I don't need proof they are going to do something, they will eventually, I'm just curious to find out what they are going to do, because it is an almost impossible dilemma about its legacy use.

[SaskScraper]

Originally Posted by elly63

I'm not going after you but I've been looking at this stuff for over 20 years. There is no rhyme nor reason to how these bodies like FIFA and the IOC act. People here seem to think the biggest or the best will win, not always the case.

I agree with you elly63, out of all the cities in Canada to potentially host World Cup, Vancouver and Edmonton would be top two based on past experience of holding large international sporting events including the largest soccer matches to come to Canada in recent years. The rest of the world really wouldn't care what cities in Canada host. At least Edmonton with second tallest city skyline in the country in next couple of years would at least give it a big city look to the event especially with Commonwealth being largest operable stadium in Canada.

If Montreal can put some bandaids on the Big Owe and make it look presentable it would garner 3rd spot for hosting World Cup. Toronto would be a long shot just because it simply has no suitable venue.. plus it's track record of holding large international sporting events isn't particularly stellar..

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by SaskScraper

Toronto would be a long shot just because it simply has no suitable venue.. plus it's track record of holding large international sporting events isn't particularly stellar..

The lack of a "proper" venue is the sole reason. Toronto/Southern Ontario has by far the largest soccer fanbase in Canada and the World Cup would be a slam-dunk success.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Originally Posted by SaskScraper

Toronto would be a long shot just because it simply has no suitable venue.. plus it's track record of holding large international sporting events isn't particularly stellar..

Never change

[osmo]

Edmonton has logistic hurdles, the airport is too far from the core and a LRT line would have to be built. People forget that cross travel between matches happens frequently during a WC as it is constructed to favour bias towards close European proxmiity. Having a good and we'll located airport is paramount and having cheap and frequent flights is also important. Montreal and Toronto are right in the thick of the NE USA and they also have the best international direct access.

Vancouver is close to Asia and LA but not much else, Edmonton aside from places in Finland is the most remote large city in the hemisphere. Folks like to think this stuff don't matter but it does.

The cost of building a LRT line to the Edmonton airport would cost the same a a new stadium in Toronto. A refurbishment of the Big O has to happen anyhow. If Canada revived a final it would be in one of thowe two cities. Both are better connected to the USA and Europe and abroad.

I have no idea why Canada is included in a joint bid. Canada should strive to host it solo and idepedently. All this is a USA bid using certain optics to make it look better politics wise. Security would be a mess and USA focused. I remember the shit show of the G20 when USA influenced much of the security planning and details for the secured compounds, Toronto had the vibe of a prison camp during the conference.

[Acajack]

Article on Big O renos.

They're going to redo the roof. Plus the inside of the stadium too: seat replacement, sound system, lighting, etc.

http://affaires.lapresse.ca/economie/que...ne-facture-de-400-millions-en-20-ans.php

It's scheduled for completion by 2031 but if there is a WC on the table I am sure they'd accelerate.

[JHikka]

The two most suitable venues for hosting WC matches in Canada are BMO and BC Place followed by Commonwealth. These three also have the best track records of hosting past FIFA events.

The idea that Big O renos can be accelerated by five years without being insanely cost prohibitive are optimistic at best. Canada can host WC matches without Montreal

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The two most suitable venues for hosting WC matches in Canada are BMO and BC Place followed by Commonwealth. These three also have the best track records of hosting past FIFA events.

The idea that Big O renos can be accelerated by five years without being insanely cost prohibitive are optimistic at best. Canada can host WC matches without Montreal

Politically I doubt we would.

[esquire]

With only 10 games it has to be 3 venues for Canada... I can't see it being worth the trouble to include a city for the sake of 2 measly games.

Vancouver has the venue, location and fanbase, so it's a lock. After that it gets more complicated.

Montreal has the location and fanbase, but the Big O is a bit of a question mark. But it's not like you need to spend a billion dollars to give the place a complete makeover for two group stage games, so it's in.

Toronto is a bit more complicated. It's a slam dunk for location and fanbase. But neither BMO or Rogers are really A+ venues for an event like this. BMO is nice given that it's oriented to soccer, but let's face it, it's just not that big. Rogers Centre seems like a better fit, but could something be worked out with Rogers to gain access to the place for two weeks or however long it would take? I think it can be, so it would be in.

Edmonton has the venue and fan support, but location is a bit awkward. As much as Edmonton would knock it out of the park, I think it would only get the nod if one of the bigger 3 cities couldn't step up, such as if FIFA rejects Olympic Stadium or something like that.

Discussing any more locations is pointless since they won't end up hosting any games.

[Acajack]

FIFA's requirements for stadiums are not that difficult to meet. And they are sometimes bendable.

Look at the stadiums that hosted in Brazil and that will host in the coming years. They're not all palatial like the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. You don't need that level to make them happy.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

FIFA's requirements for stadiums are not that difficult to meet. And they are sometimes bendable.

Look at the stadiums that hosted in Brazil and that will host in the coming years. They're not all palatial like the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. You don't need that level to make them happy.

Yep... I don't know why everyone thinks you need a glittering new palace in order to host a couple of group stage WC matches. You don't have to spend $1.5 billion on a building to accommodate Benin vs. Iran. The Big O is probably fine more or less as is, although I'm sure they'd at the very least upgrade some things that may now be out of date like tech infrastructure, sound/light, dressing rooms, etc.