Should the Flames, City of Calgary and CPS attempt to remake the Red Mile ?

[longsuffering]

In reply to a post that suggested that drunken louts deserved a place to party and celebrate Flames wins, and other posts that implied women or families who ventured there do so at their own risk, I kind of flippantly asked "Why can't the Red Mail be a PG-13 experience?

As I said in my post, how cool would it be for kids, with their parents, to join in a celebration with thousands of other Calgarians? I think I said it would be a memory of a lifetime for the kids.

Why do we need a give up the street to drunken revellers when it could be enjoyed by so many more Calgarians if alcohol were removed from the equation?

[Dan02]

I'm confused how you do that? The reason the red mile is the red mile is because of all the drunks stumbling out of the dome and the bars. Hence it happens on 17th and not on some random other street, that critical mass of people is what draws other people.

Your suggestion is like suggesting that because heart disease is a leading cause of death, we should just remove everyones heart.

If you're suggesting another street for a sober experience, giver balls buddy but i suggest you're not gonna have much success.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

In reply to a post that suggested that drunken louts deserved a place to party and celebrate Flames wins, and other posts that implied women or families who ventured there do so at their own risk, I kind of flippantly asked "Why can't the Red Mail be a PG-13 experience?

As I said in my post, how cool would it be for kids, with their parents, to join in a celebration with thousands of other Calgarians? I think I said it would be a memory of a lifetime for the kids.

Why do we need a give up the street to drunken revellers when it could be enjoyed by so many more Calgarians if alcohol were removed from the equation?

Its a popular spot due to proximity to the dome, all of the bars close together, and that the games all end around 10-11.

While I agree it would be nice to have a" festival" atmosphere somewhere in town for families, it would be better during the day before games. So whether that's on the red mile or not is really relevant since it's really an adult timeframe post game anyway.

[Flames Fan in Exile]

I miss the electric avenue age days myself... No wait... I miss my AGE in the electric avenue age days.... 😜

[icecube]

I miss the band 'age of electric'

[Icon]

I miss playing Age of Empires...

[ricosuave]

(murmur, murmur) age of consent

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Why do we need a give up the street to drunken revellers when it could be enjoyed by so many more Calgarians if alcohol were removed from the equation?

The only way this is possible is if you mandate it that the bars on 17th can't serve alcohol on game days, which would mean that the Red Mile would move to another street.

[calgarygeologist]

The Red Mile should basically be left to either thrive or die organically.

I'm a big supporter of the City and maybe the Flames teaming up to create a fan zone festival area. Ideally this would be Olympic Plaza with some huge monitors showing the game and food trucks feeding the crowds.

[Mr.Coffee]

Good lord. While we're at it lets bring back prohibition and pass a law that says all people, man woman and child must wear the exact same outfit.

I would never be against a celebration for families but why do we need to shut down one in exchange for another? As stated its an organic celebration (that's the fun of it) and it occurs after 10pm when most children are in bed anyway.

I'm all for equality, fairness and viewing the world through the lens of "what's right" but honestly this notion is ridiculous. You can't tell drunk people "you can't party until 10am tomorrow at Olympic Plaza so that families can attend and by the way sober up".

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

The Red Mile should basically be left to either thrive or die organically.

I'm a big supporter of the City and maybe the Flames teaming up to create a fan zone festival area. Ideally this would be Olympic Plaza with some huge monitors showing the game and food trucks feeding the crowds.

This.

I honestly believe the City, CPS and the Flames would do well to have a party area, hell, the amount they'd make selling beer alone would be worth it for them.

But 17th ave would be a nightmare, too many side-streets and alleys, do it somewhere central located by a C-Train station.

[MelBridgeman]

Don't mess with big Alcohol!

[browna]

Simple answer. Let the Red Mile be what it is, properly police it.

Recall the Red Mile did not start (as far as closing down 17th) until Game 3 of round 2. It was organic and fed as much by people leaving the Dome as it was TV watchers of the game at bars.

The Flames had viewing parties for the public at the Dome, but that wasn't until the SCF.

Having an additional, fully organized PG 13 party for every home and away game...who funds that? Polices that?

Downtown at Olympic Plaza?

Not sure if they need another 20-30k (which they won't get) of people headed down by driving or taking Calgary Transit with 20k going to the Dome.

If there's enough genuine interest for that, it too will grow organically. In my opinion, whether it be now, or 11 years younger, or even if I was 18 again, getting together to watch the game at friends' houses and being with people you enjoyed company with to watch the games is much more preferable then making your way downtown to stand in Olympic Plaza with a bunch of strangers to squint at large screens in the distance, but that's just me.

But, what makes this time great in the city is the casual hockey fans get to feel engaged, suddenly talk hockey at the office, and have from that enthusiam, invite people over or go over to people's houses to watch games, and have a genuine interest for a few weeks....but it doesn't mean that the city or Flames should fund a civic event each and every game.

Fact it, everyone can't, and shouldn't be catered to as far as public watching/celebrating of Flames games, and using "if a group that can consume alcohol gets a place to go, so should those who don't drink, to be fair and equal to all the citizens, for civic pride and to show we aren't just a out of control party-only town" is weak. The Flames and City owe the people of Calgary nothing here; its an answer to a problem that doesn't exist (ie where do me and my 5 year old daughter go to watch a Flames game as a collective group).

Also, we're just 11 days into a playoff run that could end in 3 days (no) or last for 45 more, again; the Red Mile as we know it in 2004 wasn't hatched for another 2 weeks or so, and only got worse/more manufactured when the Flames moved on. Also, recall the Flames only won 4 home games (vs 5 home losses) with the Red Mile going back then.

Every attempt at the Red Mile from 2006-09 was more manufactured each year, and there wasn't the same social outcry for fairness for all in being able to congregate.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Locke

This.

I honestly believe the City, CPS and the Flames would do well to have a party area, hell, the amount they'd make selling beer alone would be worth it for them.

But 17th ave would be a nightmare, too many side-streets and alleys, do it somewhere central located by a C-Train station.

Games at Olympic Plaza along with a beer garden would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't believe they could do family friendly and beer garden because those two concepts can't co-exist in North America.

I would be surprised if the City isn't already working on plans for the second round. Fans are getting more excited, Sun is setting later, the weather is getting warmer and it would be short sighted if the City wasn't prepared to offer something to the fans.

I can't imagine it would be too difficult for the City, the Flames, Budweiser and the AGLC to come together and make this happen.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Games at Olympic Plaza along with a beer garden would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't believe they could do family friendly and beer garden because those two concepts can't co-exist in North America.

I would be surprised if the City isn't already working on plans for the second round. Fans are getting more excited, Sun is setting later, the weather is getting warmer and it would be short sighted if the City wasn't prepared to offer something to the fans.

I have never understood the difficulty people have with having a few drinks and behaving themselves in public.

I hate the entire concept of beer gardens, I dont want to have to drink in what effectively amounts to an alcoholic's 'penalty box.' I want to have a few drinks with my friends and family in a public space and enjoy the atmosphere and the game.

Why is this such an unfathomable concept?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have never understood the difficulty people have with having a few drinks and behaving themselves in public.

I hate the entire concept of beer gardens, I dont want to have to drink in what effectively amounts to an alcoholic's 'penalty box.' I want to have a few drinks with my friends and family in a public space and enjoy the atmosphere and the game.

Why is this such an unfathomable concept?

Prudish North American society. I dislike beer gardens as well and I will never understand the strict open liquor policies in public places.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Locke

I have never understood the difficulty people have with having a few drinks and behaving themselves in public.

I hate the entire concept of beer gardens, I dont want to have to drink in what effectively amounts to an alcoholic's 'penalty box.' I want to have a few drinks with my friends and family in a public space and enjoy the atmosphere and the game.

Why is this such an unfathomable concept?

Because there is still a strong strain of puritanism in North American society, that associates alcohol with young people getting absolutely hammered. Throw in litigation chill, where anyone hosting an event is terrified of lawsuits if someone gets drunk and does something stupid.

I agree, the way we pen people who drink into roped-off areas is a sad testament to the hand-wringing anxiety of our society. I've volunteered in the beer gardens at events like the Folk Festival, and foreign visitors from Australia, the UK, and Europe have expressed surprise and disgust that they can't just walk around the festival with a drink in their hand like adults.

[indes]

Its crazy after spending 4 days in Vegas the difference in behavior. I didn't run into any trouble or any conflict on the strip or downtown. I believe that since you can get and carry a drink anywhere people can better pace themselves, instead of crushing a 6 pack in 20 minutes so you can go wander around.

[EldrickOnIce]

It's like groundhog day, and the snowman scene...
You can't recreate spontaneity

[hockey.modern]

Would rather move it to Stephens Avenue or around Olympic Oval area