Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
The best arenas are the best (IMO) because of the amenities around them - Phoenix, Vegas, LA, etc.
|
Well, one of these things is not like the other. "Phoenix" was built out in the middle of farm fields in Glendale. The arena was built first and was considered out of the way. The football stadium and the entertainment district would not come on line for another three years, and the other amenities would organically develop as urban sprawl in the NW part of the valley continued. It wasn't like LA or Vegas where there was a substantial presence around the location to begin with, this was a masterplanned space, and it still isn't a destination other than game days.
Quote:
|
If you put the arena on Tsu Tina land, there are no restaurants or amenities nearby. Also, no pre-existing parking, so you have to build thousands of spots (and charge for all of them).
|
I suggested this as an alternative to building downtown during another thread when the combined event center concept was under discussion. If the Flames really wanted to stick it to CoC, this is a good way to do it. I doubt the local first nations people would give a lick about what they would have to build. That is revenue and jobs coming in, and another driver to their casino. Also gives them more pressure to apply to the City and Province for a better deal to complete the ring road.
Quote:
|
As someone said, it would be detrimental for corporate participation, so you're swimming upstream with respect to revenues as well.
|
Why would it be detrimental to corporate participation? I don't understand this angle?
Quote:
|
Then there is the issue of nearby development (hotels, office towers etc). Just no incentive for any of the participants to want to go there.
|
Build it and they will come? It's not like this is a terribly remote location. It's 10km from the downtown core, or 1.5km more than a trip to UofC. As an alternative they could pick worse locations.
The best location is still downtown. I don't see any reason why a deal will not be struck for a Victoria Park location. I'm personally not a fan of this location, but based on the CoC goals, it seems to make the most sense. I was hoping for something much more grand and epic in scale, but this is a reasonable compromise. I expect a deal to be struck before the end of the season. Both the City and the Flames will need something, and hopefully a playoff berth and playoff run will generate some excitement and public support behind a deal.