[News] CalgaryNEXT Announcement. New arena details emerge. - Page 10 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Resolute 14 · 08-12-2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Money talks, and if an ownership group like the Flames with a new stadium designed for MLS comes along, Calgary may jump to the top of the list pretty fast. MLS isn't actively seeking Canadian clubs, but I doubt they would refuse if the right arrangement came along (something like this). The ultimate build up for MLS is likely 32, just like the other American sport leagues. Minnesota for instance was just announced and are still three years out (2018). Hence a 10 year plan seems feasible.

Money talks, but ours isn't the only money to be heard. I'd support it if it happened, but realistically, Calgary needs to show something at the NASL level, or even a new CSL for it to be viable in MLS' eyes, I suspect.

heep223 · 08-12-2015, 05:09 PM

I seriously doubt that soccer is popular enough in Calgary to attract an MLS team. It's a niche.

hockey.modern · 08-12-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunk

My prediction re: funding proposal:

$200m cash from owners for arena
$200m ticket tax over a period of time (backdropped by owners, not City)
$200m from City for Fieldhouse/Stadium (instead of $200m City has for Foothills Fieldhouse in its capital plan - note it is unfunded still)
$100m cash from owners for Fieldhouse/Stadium
$200m borrowed through CRL (like East Village) for remediation and infrastructure
$100m from Province and/or Feds for environmental remediation and infrastructure (helping facilitate but not paying for arena/stadium for things needed anyway regardless of those facilities)
Land given by City for "free"

Boom $1 billion give or take.

Geez, if we combine that with the roadwork of Crowchild & Bow Trail, we're looking at a 2+ Billion project here.

surferguy · 08-12-2015, 05:20 PM

Here is my prediction: CalgaryNEXT refers to getting the next Olympics in line. I saw all the predicted dates on the last page but would the completions line up for the available games?

Also re: the seat licenses: KK stated in a STH meeting I went to this past season that they will not be using that line of revenue.

chedder · 08-12-2015, 05:20 PM

I just hope there is a plan for tailgating before Stamps games. That is at least half the fun of going to these games and is a big part of watching professional football both in cfl and nfl

polak · 08-12-2015, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heep223

I seriously doubt that soccer is popular enough in Calgary to attract an MLS team. It's a niche.

I don't think it's as small of a niche as you think.

Calgary has a terrible record of supporting amateur leagues but my gut tells me an actual MLS team would draw decently.

I-Hate-Hulse · 08-12-2015, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferguy

Here is my prediction: CalgaryNEXT refers to getting the next Olympics in line. I saw all the predicted dates on the last page but would the completions line up for the available games?

I thought about an Olympic bid being part of this but don't forget that Calgary getting it here would doom any chance of Toronto getting the Summer Games. Since T.O. is clearly are positioning themselves for a bid after the PanAm games, the Feds might not want to back something that threatens vote rich Toronto at this stage.

HOWITZER · 08-12-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferguy

Here is my prediction: CalgaryNEXT refers to getting the next Olympics in line. I saw all the predicted dates on the last page but would the completions line up for the available games?

Also re: the seat licenses: KK stated in a STH meeting I went to this past season that they will not be using that line of revenue.

Considering the negative attention around the costs of hosting the olympics, I don't see why they would hitch their wagon to a public relations nightmare and then try and get money for it.

morgin · 08-12-2015, 06:04 PM

This is entirely anecdotal, but from talking to people I know, it seems at least somewhat of a common theme. I will happily spend money on tickets for professional sports at a "top" level, because usually half of why I am going is for the pro sports atmosphere. CFL I have seasons. I go to a lot of Flames games. I would happily get myself tickets for an MLB baseball team if Calgary had one. I would happily get MLS tickets. I do not care about and don't have a history of supporting lower tier leagues. Never seen a minor pro baseball game in Calgary and probably won't. Don't care about lower tier soccer. I go to hitmen games when the tickets are free but don't really enjoy the atmosphere enough to pay for it. I realize this makes me kind of a ####ty sports fan, but it is what it is.

So, assuming there are lots of people like me, MLS could probably do ok where a lower tier league team may not.

mhsyyc · 08-12-2015, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggy City

Or they'll announce the Kickstarter campaign.

Or a crowdfunding campaign

Looch City · 08-12-2015, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Geez, if we combine that with the roadwork of Crowchild & Bow Trail, we're looking at a 2+ Billion project here.

You know what, forget the arena. Just fix Crowchild and Bow Trail.

mhsyyc · 08-12-2015, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I don't think it's as small of a niche as you think.

Calgary has a terrible record of supporting amateur leagues but my gut tells me an actual MLS team would draw decently.

Assuming MLS isn't an amateur league. If I want to see past their prime Euros running around a field ill just go back to Greece.

polak · 08-12-2015, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhsyyc

Assuming MLS isn't an amateur league. If I want to see past their prime Euros running around a field ill just go back to Greece.

I'd say it's quickly becoming 2nd tier worldwide. By the time this project is built and if it continues it's pace of growth, I would not be surprised at all if it was competing for players with the big European leagues.

corporatejay · 08-12-2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chedder

I just hope there is a plan for tailgating before Stamps games. That is at least half the fun of going to these games and is a big part of watching professional football both in cfl and nfl

I find tailgating lame. If you don't have an in with someone you can't partake. A district with restaurants and bars is the better way to go. Seattle has very little tailgating (compared to say, Arizona) but the bars around and on the way to the Clink are packed for breakfast. It's my favourite part of my annual trip.

zyzz · 08-12-2015, 06:20 PM

Hopefully they have some renderings. Excited to see what they've come up with. I'm sure CP will be livid no matter what.

hockey.modern · 08-12-2015, 06:26 PM

I doubt we see any renderings, we are probably more likely to see a blueprint and all the details of what is going to come.

zyzz · 08-12-2015, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

I doubt we see any renderings, we are probably more likely to see a blueprint and all the details of what is going to come.

oh ok

jayswin · 08-12-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

I doubt we see any renderings, we are probably more likely to see a blueprint and all the details of what is going to come.

A blueprint? You think the Flames are releasing a blueprint to the fans to show the design? That's awesome!

I thought the fans that believed we wouldn't see renderings at this event were hilarious enough, but then someone comes along and says we won't see renderings, we'll see blueprints.

"Hey guys, welcome to the event, sorry we wanted to show you guys some nice renderings, but unfortunately they weren't ready, so if everyone could go ahead and crowd around these blueprint plans we've been working on.

We'd appreciate if those fans in attendance that have experience working with blueprints could explain the ins and outs to those that don't."

The Familia · 08-12-2015, 06:36 PM

Excited and nervous! The fieldhouse is what really has me perplexed. As I mentioned before, if it is a cheap corrugated metal tin shed, I am not interested. If it is a full-on football stadium with other facilities and amenities attached like has been suggested with UNLV's project, I'm in. The arena has to be better than Edmonton's. If it isn't the project is a failure! Overall, I'm going to expect being underwhelmed and hoping to be surprised and blown away.

Resolute 14 · 08-12-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I'd say it's quickly becoming 2nd tier worldwide. By the time this project is built and if it continues it's pace of growth, I would not be surprised at all if it was competing for players with the big European leagues.

Second tier, but behind about a dozen other leagues.

Still, you are right. MLS would probably be decently supported here. The big problem is that Calgary would be a null draw for just about every other team in the league, and negative for US TV. Those are high hurdles to overcome, even if MLS went up to 30 teams.