Stadiums & Arenas of Canada, Part 3

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

How does the Skydome, BC Place fair in terms of events outside sports, winter and summer? What about Commonwealth, Mosaic, IG Field in summer/fall?

Most outdoor stadiums are hardly used aside from their primary purpose, except for a handful of large concerts/events. Doubly so in smaller metro areas.

Indoor/domed stadiums get a little more use outside their primary focus: WWE, monster trucks, large trade shows, simply because they are typically in larger cities and can be used reliably regardless of weather.

From a return on investment point-of-view: Ancillary events are generally not a large factor in this equation. The worst investment from a stadium use POV is a football stadium. Baseball fields do somewhat better simply due to sheer number of games.

The best return on investment would be something like an indoor arena in a major metro area - can be used for hockey/baseball/moderate-large sized concerts all year. There's a reason the ACC / Bell Centre were privately financed.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Most outdoor stadiums are hardly used aside from their primary purpose, except for a handful of large concerts/events. Doubly so in smaller metro areas.

Indoor/domed stadiums get a little more use outside their primary focus: WWE, monster trucks, large trade shows, simply because they are typically in larger cities and can be used reliably regardless of weather.

From a return on investment point-of-view: Ancillary events are generally not a large factor in this equation. The worst investment from a stadium use POV is a football stadium. Baseball fields do somewhat better simply due to sheer number of games.

The best return on investment would be something like an indoor arena in a major metro area - can be used for hockey/baseball/moderate-large sized concerts all year. There's a reason the ACC / Bell Centre were privately financed.

So in your opinion, a roof at the Bog "Owe" might not be worth the investment?

That's the big question; would a roof attract enough events to justify the cost? And does it need to be a retractable roof?

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

So in your opinion, a roof at the Bog "Owe" might not be worth the investment?

That's the big question; would a roof attract enough events to justify the cost? And does it need to be a retractable roof?

At this juncture, any investment in Olympic Stadium is probably framed in the context of: What is the loss bearable by government that lets the stadium stay in place and put off other major renovations/new stadium debate for as long as possible?

Which is to say: We're weighing the long-term cost of (a) no roof, (b) patching the existing one, or (c) an inexpensive as possible new roof. They're all bad options, but we want the cheapest one overall for a facility that is unlikely to have a major tenant in the future.

Retractable is out of the question IMO. Probably a new roof that is properly engineered for decades of use is the best we can hope for. (i.e. the cheapest in the long run)

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They do have large trade shows and other events there over the course of the year. So even in spring, summer and fall, you need a roof for that.

The Parc Olympique people are saying they are missing out on more of these kind of events because of the uncertainty of the roof.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Retractable is out of the question IMO. Probably a new roof that is properly engineered for decades of use is the best we can hope for. (i.e. the cheapest in the long run)

The Bissonnette commission (2012) recommended a retractable roof, basically the same as the Taillibert design but with modern materials and technology. I think that has since evolved to a partly retractable roof (whatever that is) to a fixed roof (possibly translucent).

Bissonette Commission 2012

"The committee proposes some significant changes, including a return to the retractable roof that was part of the stadium’s original design. The first roof tore frequently and was eventually replaced by a fixed roof, which also ripped in 1999 under the weight of snow. Since then, the stadium has been closed to events in the winter.

The committee speculates that technological advances since authorities opted for a fixed roof 20 years ago make it worth considering a removable roof in the next call for tenders. In the past the cost of a new roof has been estimated at $300-million."

[Djeffery]

I can see them investigating the new BC Place style roof, rather than a fully retractable roof. Instead of the towers around the rim of the stadium to support it, they can use the Olympic Tower to support the centre structure and then run cabling to the rim for the roof panels.

[elly63]

Consultation on the Future of the Olympic Park (Prelude to the Bissonnette Commission) PDF

[JHikka]

FirstOntario Centre reno delayed for Grey Cup
Steve Milton
Tue., March 28, 2023

The Spectator has confirmed that the private consortium which runs FirstOntario Centre will postpone the start of its massive reconstruction of the downtown arena for two months so that it can be used for the 2023 Grey Cup Festival.

The arena had been scheduled to close after the Canadian Country Music Awards conclude on Sept. 17. But a spokesperson for the Hamilton Urban Entertainment Precinct Group (HUPEG) says it will now remain in operation through the Grey Cup Festival, Nov. 16 to 19. The Grey Cup game will be played at Tim Hortons Field Nov. 19.

https://www.thespec.com/sports/hamil...-grey-cup.html

Also confirms the Toronto Rock currently do not have a home for the next two seasons (at least) but plan to return to Hamilton once these renovations are completed.

[Acajack]

Ottawa 67's kick off OHL playoffs at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau tonight.

[steve61]

Originally Posted by JHikka

FirstOntario Centre reno delayed for Grey Cup
Steve Milton
Tue., March 28, 2023

The Spectator has confirmed that the private consortium which runs FirstOntario Centre will postpone the start of its massive reconstruction of the downtown arena for two months so that it can be used for the 2023 Grey Cup Festival.

The arena had been scheduled to close after the Canadian Country Music Awards conclude on Sept. 17. But a spokesperson for the Hamilton Urban Entertainment Precinct Group (HUPEG) says it will now remain in operation through the Grey Cup Festival, Nov. 16 to 19. The Grey Cup game will be played at Tim Hortons Field Nov. 19.

https://www.thespec.com/sports/hamil...-grey-cup.html

Also confirms the Toronto Rock currently do not have a home for the next two seasons (at least) but plan to return to Hamilton once these renovations are completed.

Do you happen to know if the final exterior design is the one that was revealed last summer or has there been any update?

[craner]

So what is the word out of TO - are the Skydome renovations going to be ready for the Jays home opener ?

[Oilkountry]

Originally Posted by Acajack

This reporter got what sounds like a sneak peek of the renovations planned for Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Article is in French but there are some images in there as well.

Note that they will be doing away with the configuration of the stands that can accommodate baseball.

https://www.985fm.ca/nouvelles/54717...que-fait-jaser

Yes images....of Detrot and Denvers MLB stadiums and Mercedes benz stadium

The Best case scenario for everyone, Is that The three parties and possibly the provincial government come together and fund a 500-600M renovation and essentially build a new 33,000 seat stadium inside of the Big O that is expandable for big events They would have to gut the stadiums current seating structure and build a 250M dollar stadium inside of it. Attach some fixed translucent panels on the roof and call it a day i truly don't feel like Montreal needs an open air stadium its not like you get sightlines of the downtown or anything. Is the difference between BC place open and closed really worth and extra 350M? When they could go with a US bank stadium style roof? Its not going to feel carnivorous with all that natural lighting coming in. Raiders,Saints,Lions,Rams,Chargers and Vikings all play in domed stadiums with fixed roofs and in some cases with no natural lighting. If They can do it, So can Montreal

Whatever they are going to do they just need to do it. The place is an embarrassment. Would they rather have a billion dollar white elephant doing nothing for the community or a 1.5 Billion dollar world class venue hosting 2 pro teams 30-40 nights a year that's capable and deserving to host the biggest events on earth? It's got to be downright embarrassing that Montreal wasn't even in the world cup conversation due to not having a proper suitable stadium despite having a 50,000 seat stadium in addition to having the most major league stadiums in Canada.

[ToxiK]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

It's got to be downright embarrassing that Montreal wasn't even in the world cup conversation due to not having a proper suitable stadium despite having a 50,000 seat stadium in addition to having the most major league stadiums in Canada.

The stadium was not the reason why Montréal backed out of the World Cup, the conditions demanded by FIFA were unacceptable. It would have ended up costing over 100 million $ per game, not including stadium renovations. There is a link (in French):

https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/chron...e-montreal.php

[elly63]

Originally Posted by ToxiK

The stadium was not the reason why Montréal backed out of the World Cup, the conditions demanded by FIFA were unacceptable. It would have ended up costing over 100 million $ per game, not including stadium renovations. There is a link (in French):

Correct, they pulled out for much the same reasons as Chicago and Vancouver (initially).

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

The Best case scenario for everyone, Is that The three parties and possibly the provincial government come together and fund a 500-600M renovation and essentially build a new 33,000 seat stadium inside of the Big O that is expandable for big events They would have to gut the stadiums current seating structure and build a 250M dollar stadium inside of it. Attach some fixed translucent panels on the roof and call it a day.

The place is an embarrassment. Would they rather have a billion dollar white elephant doing nothing for the community or a 1.5 Billion dollar world class venue hosting 2 pro teams 30-40 nights a year that's capable and deserving to host the biggest events on earth? It's got to be downright embarrassing that Montreal wasn't even in the world cup conversation due to not having a proper suitable stadium despite having a 50,000 seat stadium in addition to having the most major league stadiums in Canada.

Agreed with everything you said until the final paragraph. You should read this.

[thurmas]

Originally Posted by Oilkountry

Yes images....of Detrot and Denvers MLB stadiums and Mercedes benz stadium

The Best case scenario for everyone, Is that The three parties and possibly the provincial government come together and fund a 500-600M renovation and essentially build a new 33,000 seat stadium inside of the Big O that is expandable for big events They would have to gut the stadiums current seating structure and build a 250M dollar stadium inside of it. Attach some fixed translucent panels on the roof and call it a day i truly don't feel like Montreal needs an open air stadium its not like you get sightlines of the downtown or anything. Is the difference between BC place open and closed really worth and extra 350M? When they could go with a US bank stadium style roof? Its not going to feel carnivorous with all that natural lighting coming in. Raiders,Saints,Lions,Rams,Chargers and Vikings all play in domed stadiums with fixed roofs and in some cases with no natural lighting. If They can do it, So can Montreal

Whatever they are going to do they just need to do it. The place is an embarrassment. Would they rather have a billion dollar white elephant doing nothing for the community or a 1.5 Billion dollar world class venue hosting 2 pro teams 30-40 nights a year that's capable and deserving to host the biggest events on earth? It's got to be downright embarrassing that Montreal wasn't even in the world cup conversation due to not having a proper suitable stadium despite having a 50,000 seat stadium in addition to having the most major league stadiums in Canada.

I don't think gutting the stadium is doable or feasible what will happen is the lower portion of the lower bowl baseball stands that are on a track will be removed and switched to a non moveable squared off stand for cfl football and mls soccer to make it closer to the field and then creating a wider concourse at the back end of the lower bowl and maybe throwing in some party terraces in certain sections. Upper bowl i assume would be curtained off like bc place for lions and whitecaps games.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Ottawa 67's kick off OHL playoffs at Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau tonight.

Attendance was 1662. Ottawa beat Oshawa 7-0.

The 67's will play another game in the Slush this weekend. The Ottawa Civic Centre (TD Place Arena) is unavailable due to the Brier.)

The Gatineau Olympiques, the hottest team in the Q (23 games without a loss or something like that), also kick off their playoffs this weekend at home. The Slush will be a busy place.

I think the Piques games are all sold out or close, so there will be 5000 in attendance for those.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Acajack

The Slush

Is this the nickname of the arena, or a comment on the quality of the ice surface as temperature heat up during the final round of the playoffs.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Is this the nickname of the arena, or a comment on the quality of the ice surface as temperature heat up during the final round of the playoffs.

It hasn't yet caught on as a nickname, and since it's so new the ice is probably pretty good at any time of year.

I was thinking the 67's took an attendance hit by playing over here but they actually had 60 more people than their first playoff game in Ottawa last year, which drew 1601.

Sunday's 67's game is selling better with over 2000 expected. Which is again similar to their second playoff game last year.

I've seen photos and the Centre Slush Puppie's electronic signage was all switched over for the 67's with OHL Playoffs imagery and videos at the entrance and inside the rink, and Ottawa and Ontario-based ads in English (imagine!).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I've seen photos and the Centre Slush Puppie's electronic signage was all switched over for the 67's with OHL Playoffs imagery and videos at the entrance and inside the rink, and Ottawa and Ontario-based ads in English (imagine!).

I'm sure there will be complaints to the Bureau de la Commission de Langue Officiel.