***NEWS ONLY*** CalgaryNEXT Project Thread

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
#SNWest and #Sportsnet.ca will have live coverage of #Calgarynext Annc.at 2:30pm MT. A Look inside CGY Sports and Ent. Vision

[ken0042]

I figured it would be fitting to have this thread showing as being started by sureLoss. This thread will remain locked until noon. If you have news to report, please use this thread. If you want to discuss something somebody has posted in this thread, please quote it and then discuss in the other thread.

The idea is to have one place people can go to see the updates and announcements; without having to go through all of our back and forth.

[Envitro]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/18/087c07250fe3bff7f6377610f1ae4ad9.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hockey.modern]

Media Coverage begins at 2:30. SNWEST, Sportsnet.ca, CalgaryNEXT Twitter, Global News will all be covering it live.

[Envitro]

No talk of arena details today like sight lines or amenities


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sureLoss]

King says no pictures of the building today

Says there are 2 buildings

[Envitro]

Confirmed west village, leaked photo is correct


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtb0l8WEAApgUb.jpg:large

[hockey.modern]

Per Gary Bettman,

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtbTKWWsAAJjw0.png

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtc_RMWIAApyU8.jpg:large

[Bunk]

Said MLS a possibility in 10-15 yrs

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtda9XWcAE8zeU.jpg:large

[Bunk]

http://i.imgur.com/ouJH2gO.jpg

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtdyK3WUAEGM4z.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMteXBFWcAIDjeu.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtedLjWgAQtbe1.jpg:large

[sureLoss]

Confirmed community rink/practice facility included.

Arena design never been done before, but being considered in Europe. Sight lines supposedly among the best in the world.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtftwqWcAAv0LI.jpg:large

[Madman]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtftwqWcAAv0LI.jpg:large

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtgU37WwAAnptG.jpg:large

[Bunk]

Another view

http://i.imgur.com/YZB273w.jpg

[icarus]

Keep the photos coming, it's like I'm there

[Madman]

News Talk 770 Stamps @Newstalkstamps
Claim event centre will be a type never seen before. To contain practice facility for the Flames

[hockey.modern]

There will be bars and restaurants...," says King. "But we're not going to Red Mile this ... You can live there.

The project is on par with something you would see in New York, London, or Paris. People will visit Calgary to see it.

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMthUmYWsAAvD3b.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMthtfHWcAAG5PY.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtiHgwWcAAWjlN.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtidCJWwAEsQgF.jpg:large

[sureLoss]

$890 million price tag. $1.2 billion if done separately if stadium and arena done separately

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtivKtWoAA3y0h.jpg:large

[hockey.modern]

$1.2B if separate. $900M if done together

[hockey.modern]

Remediation is a 4-way job. City, prov, Feds, and flames.

[Bunk]

$1.2B if separate. $900M if done together

Excluding remediation. Arguing it can likely be remediated less expensively.

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtkLZrWEAAzcTb.jpg:large

CRL - portion of taxes from businesses for limited time to pay for this

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtkefbXAAAUQl3.jpg:large

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtlPoyWEAMKJ1k.jpg:large

[Madman]

Marty Borotsik @Mobile_Marty
'This is not a shill for the Olympics, BUT....'#CalgaryNEXT

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtlQC6WUAEGA0y.jpg:large

[sureLoss]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMtl895WgAAlH6f.jpg:large

[sureLoss]

"Not shilling for the Olympics but if someone were to want to bid, we would have facility"

[sureLoss]

Eric Francis @EricFrancis
Well there it is. It's an $890 million stadium project: $200M from Flames, $200M from city, $240M Comm revitalization levy, $250M ticket tax

Don Braid @DonBraid
The total - $890 million - nowhere near cost. Doesn’t include West Village, infrastructure, creosote cleanup #calgarynext #chlive #yyccc

[sureLoss]

^ What is that (saddledome)

Think it is a 2 level arena. One surface at the lower bowl. floor for the upper bowl?

[hockey.modern]

Mayor @Nenshi is expected to release a statement regarding #CalgaryNEXT around 3 p.m. #yyc #Flames

[IamNotKenKing]

Think it is a 2 level arena. One surface at the lower bowl. floor for the upper bowl?

Not a raised ice surface, but a second level for events, to be used like and in conjunction with BMO.

[hockey.modern]

CalgaryFlames Website Livestream: http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=616&id=833177&lang=en&navid=DL|CGY|home

[MrMastodonFarm]

http://www.calgarynext.com/index.php is live

[Otto-matic]

First rendering of the inside?

http://www.calgarynext.com/img/Arena-Event-Centre.png

The space will have seating for 18,000 fans for hockey games and 20,000+ for concerts and other events. It will be able to host large conferences and provide flexible spaces for everything from annual shareholder meetings to conventions with break-out spaces.

The event centre will be a community gathering place for sports and events, as well as unique public spaces and food and beverage options.

http://www.calgarynext.com/arena-event-centre.php

[JiriHrdina]

Couple questions
- Was there any details on whether or not this development would impact the Pumphouse Theatre? Does it stay?
- What was the plan for the Dome?

[hockey.modern]

https://i.gyazo.com/d2b9fed1f52489a7c9bbfd91dc5f9137.png

Overview Numbers:
https://i.gyazo.com/b2dfb9f1523474490221c8282f5d5bf7.png

Inside Arena
http://calgarynext.com/img/Arena-Event-Centre.png

Overview:
http://calgarynext.com/img/content/events-centre.jpg

Inside Stadium:
http://calgarynext.com/img/content/fieldhouse.jpg

Retractable Seating for CFL:
https://i.gyazo.com/84d97c0685300c2856502a6bfadbc66e.png

Fieldhouse Scenario:
https://i.gyazo.com/d14180c0a9fd4517471f44807ecd28b3.png

Public LRT:
http://calgarynext.com/img/content/public-transit.jpg

[getbak]

Couple questions
- Was there any details on whether or not this development would impact the Pumphouse Theatre? Does it stay?
- What was the plan for the Dome?

Yes, the Pumphouse will stay.

They showed a proposal for the Dome that would have what looked like two levels of seating, plus exhibition space. As he said, once they leave Stampede Park, it's not really their issue to worry about, but they'll be willing to work with the Stampede Board on ideas.

[atb]

http://calgarymayor.ca/stories/mayor-nenshis-statement-on-a-new-arena-stadium-fieldhouse-proposal

The following is a statement from Mayor Naheed Nenshi regarding the "CalgaryNext" announcement made earlier today:

Today, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (the company that owns the Calgary Flames and Stampeders, among other professional sports teams) released an intriguing proposal for a new arena, sports fieldhouse, and football stadium. This project has been in the works for some time, and I am pleased that the Flames ownership group is now engaging the public on what they would like to see. I also appreciate that the ownership group has come forward with a definitive financial commitment—something that has rarely been seen in other cities.

However, there are a number of challenges that must now be addressed:

The proposal has not been part of The City's comprehensive capital planning process, and does not form part of the plan, under which the City's capital funds are fully allocated through 2018.
The proposal includes incorporating The City’s proposed (and much-needed) fieldhouse into the facility. However, that project, while a very high priority for the City, remains unfunded.
The funding proposal includes a $250 million “ticket tax”, but it is unclear if The City will be asked to provide the upfront financing for this.
The proposed site requires significant expenditures to remediate the environmental contamination there. That remediation is also unfunded.
In addition, the proposal requires the contribution of land, a community revitalization levy and significant investments in infrastructure to make the West Village a complete and vibrant community.
Therefore, there are very significant requirements for public funding beyond the fieldhouse funding, and there is currently no money.

I have said for a long time—and continue to strongly believe—that public money must be for public benefit and not private profit. The question for Council, the ownership group, and all Calgarians is whether this proposal meets that test.

That said, I truly appreciate the efforts of the ownership group in bringing forward an innovative project in a thoughtful, professional, and ethical way. I firmly believe that these Calgarians want to do something exceptional for our community.

City Council will ensure that that there is significant public engagement and will work cooperatively with the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and the other orders of government to determine whether this project is viable.

[hockey.modern]

I don't like the look of a track around the field. Might as well have a moat.

Looks like the seats can be pulled out over track though?

Yes,

https://i.gyazo.com/84d97c0685300c2856502a6bfadbc66e.png

[ken0042]

Once again guys, if you are not posting something that is "news", use the other thread.

If you have a question, use that thread.

[BurningSteel]

Mayor @Nenshi is expected to release a statement regarding #CalgaryNEXT around 3 p.m. #yyc #Flames


http://calgarymayor.ca/stories/mayor-nenshis-statement-on-a-new-arena-stadium-fieldhouse-proposal


hmmmm

[sureLoss]

King says they want a translucent roof for the Fieldhouse, but it is not a need.

[sureLoss]

King also said the roof of the buildings are sloped towards the river so that they meet the city by-law that buildings don't cast a shadow on the river.

[sureLoss]

Flames doing another presentation today more geared towards the CFL stakeholders. Apparently they have looked into refurbishing the Saddledome:

John Bender @johnw_bender
Estimates to refurbish the saddledome $325 M #yyc #CalgaryNEXT

[hockey.modern]

Here's the key points from Ken King's CalgaryNEXT presentation yesterday:
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/3hl61c/i_attended_the_calgarynext_presentation_and_heres/

There is no Plan B. King said you can't have a grand vision if you have a Plan B. To King, it's this or nothing. When asked what he'd do if this didn't go ahead, King jokingly said he'd kill himself.

The football stadium (aka Field House) will have a permanent non-retractable roof. The plan is for the Field House roof to be translucent so light can get in, but that's not a guarantee.

The cost of a retractable roof for the Field House would be $150,000,000. King says it's not worth it for something that would only be open approx. 10 times a year (for CFL games).

King said the ticket tax would be south of 10%. He also have two examples of how a ticket tax would work. The first example was an $8 tax on a $100 ticket. The second example was a $17 tax on a $100 ticket.

There were misleading graphs to show the age of the Saddledome and McMahon compared to other stadiums in those respective leagues. The construction date was used to plot the Dome/McMahon on the X-axis, while latest renovation dates were used to plot other stadiums on the same axis. This, for example, lead Commonwealth Stadium (Eskimos) to be plotted on the 2000's while McMahon was plotted at 1960.

King envisions the Field House mostly being used for amateur athletics, using the example of kids playing soccer on it at noon, then the Stamps hosting a CFL game in the evening.

The seats in the field house will fold up to expose the running track when it's needed, and fold out to get fans/people closer to the field for soccer or football games.
There will be minimal parking. Possibly as little as legislation will allow. King expects those who work downtown to stay parked where they work, and then to take transit or walk to the new arena. He said there'll be ample parking for amateur events since they won't be as heavily attended.

For the hockey rink/arena, there's some revolutionary new design planned that King said could make the upper bowl better than the lower bowl. He mentioned seating for hockey in the 18,500 to 19,500 range.
King likes Bow Trail just the way it is because it gives east and west access to the new arena.

Ward 6 Councillor Richard Pootmans was in attendance. King mentioned a few times that he's been working with Pootmans and his colleagues, but Pootmans never said anything.

King mentioned there are 3 subcontractors short-listed for construction. King said there will be no over-run on the $890,000,000 project estimate because he looked one of the subcontractors in the eye and said "you know those projects that run over with costs? This will not be one of them!"

The two car dealerships on the proposed property for CalgaryNEXT have demolition clauses in their contracts. No word on who pays that out.

King talked to Greyhound about kicking them off their site. Greyhound's response apparently was "we just want a better deal on our lease." King said Greyhound was agreeable though.

King mentioned future Olympics, but only that we could host them again if we wanted to. Other big events he mentioned were the Junos, We Day, and the FIFA Woman's World Cup.

No plan for an MLS soccer team. King said "maybe 10 years maybe 15 years" down the road. Right now it's not viable.

It's a fully integrated complex, meaning they don't think they can build the field house without the event space/arena.

If CalgaryNEXT proceeds, King proposed the Saddledome be renovated to become a trade-show space, and McMahon be demolished so that the University can build something else on that land. (The Dinos would play football at the CalgaryNEXT Field House just like the Stamps).

There's another ice surface planned for CalgaryNEXT where the Flames/Hitmen will practice and kids will get to use it when the pros aren't using it. No word on how often.

King calls CalgaryNEXT the "catalyst" for getting the creosote in the area cleaned up, but expects some combination of the city, province, and country to fully pay for it. The estimate is $300,000,000, but King has a feeling it might be lower. King had a slide with this creosote page during his presentation.

King kept referring to the proposed CalgaryNEXT location currently as "urban blight."

A few other observations:

Ken King is good public speaker and salesman. He diffused tougher questions with jokes (usually about the Oilers, Leafs, or Roughriders), and constantly repeated his key message about this being an urban redevelopment as opposed to just a stadium. He did slip up a few times, most notably when he suggested CalgaryNEXT would be a bad investment from a business perspective.

The food provided was a sandwich (tuna, veggie, roast beef, black forest ham, egg salad, or turkey), quinoa salad, babybel cheese, perrier water, apple, rice crispy square

The presentation took an hour, and King took questions for another half hour.
King opened and closed the presentation by mentioning the new $200,000,000 library and how it's a great idea and space for Calgary even though not everyone uses it. Then he'd draw a direct comparison to CalgaryNEXT.

On the slide that showed how much CalgaryNEXT was going to cost, the $890,000,000 price tag was shown next to a $1.3B price tag to build the Field House and Event Space separately (which King had already said wasn't an option), and the largest number on that slide (in font size) was "$300,000,000 in savings." This, to me, seemed particularly and intentionally misleading.

King vaguely mentioned the CRL portion of the funding would take 20 years.
Overall this felt like a sales pitch to get a small army of season ticket holders to spread the good word about CalgaryNEXT to anyone who will listen. The last thing King asked before we left was if we feel this is a good thing for Calgary, and he got a large applause back in return.

[sureLoss]

136606479

[hockey.modern]

I may have missed it being posted in this thread, but here's a radio interview with Rob Kerr and Ken King: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/teams/calgary-flames/ken-king-chats-calgarynext/

Here is a summary of the interview,

- CalgaryNEXT is just the vision of what they want to create. This is just the beginning of what we want it to be. In terms of the final details of the designs in each facility, that still has a long ways to go.

- Project will take 3 years, plus and extra two maybe. With each problem you might be looking at an extra 6 months and so on.

- Worked with people about the possibility of combining the event center with a convention center. decided not to.

- Considered to take on renovation to McMahon.

- The Fieldhouse works because the Calgary Stampeders will only play roughly 10 games there.

- If you do everything separate, you cause more problems with parking and infrastructure.

- It's a very nice fit to integrate amateur sports and professional together.

- discussed some other plans that was much crazy during early stages

- If you want to be serious about it, you have to look at the vision first then do all the details in the next stage.

- Hopes the funding won't change

- The next step is, authorization from province, traffic studies (parking)

- No plan B as the creates a competition from the two plans

- To a certain degree, feedback from the consumers may change what the vision is

- The gift is having a clean site to work with. Wants to help with the city, province and federal fix the problems with creosote.

- Does not know how much it will cost to clean it up.

- KK says the city Councillors loves the project but they need to help find the money.

- The city will own the facility's

- City owns it but ownership will run it

- Ownership will put $450M into it.

- Vision opens Olympic bid if anyone was interested

- Surprised that no one has asked why it is called an event center and not hockey rink

[Bar-Down]

The Government could demand that the company Domtar pays for the Creosote cleanup costs.

While Alberta officials have expressed reluctance to order Domtar to remediate the site because they did not break any laws of the day, B.C. is forcing the company to clean up a former wood preserving plant that was also closed and sold in the 1960s.

South of the border, state and federal environmental protection agencies have required Domtar to pay $13. 5 million to remediate two contaminated sites, including the cleanup of a former coal tar refinery in Duluth, Minnesota that the company closed in 1948 and sold several years later.

Domtar, which had net earnings last year of $364 million on sales of $5.6 billion, says in its most recent financial filings that it has also been notified it may be responsible for an undisclosed number of other hazardous waste sites in which no formal proceedings have yet been started.

The company has set aside $60 million to cover future environmental remediation costs.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/liberals-demand-province-pursue-domtar-for-creosote-cleanup

[RM14]

Listening to Kerr and Steinberg on SN960 this afternoon, they confirmed a couple of upcoming milestones:

Christmas 2015: Environmental Report

Spring 2016: City review and analysis of field house component.

[sureLoss]

Not sure what happened to December 2015 report on the contamination, but according to this article, there won't be a report until April 2016.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/firm-hired-for-six-month-assessment-of-west-village-contamination

WorleyParsons has been hired to conduct a six-month environmental study to assess the scale of contamination in the West Village, said the city’s land development subsidiary.

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation said Thursday the firm will oversee a three-step assessment of the 56-hectare site on the western edge of downtown, where the Flames organization has proposed building a massive sports complex.

Starting Nov. 10, WorleyParsons will begin drilling and collecting soil samples at several locations on the site, which is currently occupied by several car dealerships, a Greyhound terminal and Pumphouse Theatre.

The company will also review reams of historical documents and earlier environmental reports, the CMLC said in a statement.

“We are initiating a three step environmental assessment … to understand the degree of contamination and the impact of contamination on the site’s redevelopment potential,” Michael Brown, president and CEO of the CMLC, said in a statement.