Flames to announce plans to announce arena plans in the... future...

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Azure

Looking at ticket pricing for the Bell Centre, the lowest price for an adult is $42. I'd imagine those seats have the worst sightline.

With those pricing, an additional 3,000 seats, to bring the total from 18,000 which many are suggesting, to 21,000...which is what the Bell Centre has, brings in an additional $181 million over 30 years. Add the concession revenues, and you're looking at an easy $200 million MORE in revenue over 30 years. Probably averages out to $7 million per year. Now, I have no idea what the numbers are in terms of additional cost to the building the Flames will build, but the cost of the Bell Centre in 1996 was $270 million. According to my quick calculations, that is VERY close to the revenue generated by the additional 3,000 seats.

Considering of course that there are probably not a lot of seats available for $42, and the next price level is $60.

Just something to think about.

I've sat in those $42 seats at the Bell Center, and was in the last row of the building. The sight lines were still fine and were much better then the Press Level in Calgary.

[Bigtime]

Some have mentioned the article about the history of Calgary and the "myth" of the Stampede heritage, here is the article in question by Calgarian Chris Turner:

http://thewalrus.ca/calgary-reconsidered/

[krynski]

Well, this certainly explains the increase in ticket prices. I like the saddledome, but the 3rd level seats are awful. just terrible. I suppose you get what you pay for though.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Some nice ones:

Barclay's Centre in Brooklyn. I love the shape, but not too sure what to think about the wood strips yet.

Spoiler!

I love the Barclay's centre design, and I'm a big fan of the wood strips. Wood strips on the rafters inside would undoubtedly look great as well, a la how they did it at WinSport and the awesome wooden rafters of Valliant arena in Davos, but it would more than likely not work for concert configurations and such, so as much as I love the wooden rafters, that's a pipe dream for me.

[Rifleman]

Dunno if this had been posted yet as I've only read up to page 4 of this thread, but it looks like there are already plans to redevelop the West Village area, and an arena isn't in the plans.

http://www.realestateforums.com/calg...thias_tita.pdf

[CaptainSunshin3]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

I love the Barclay's centre design, and I'm a big fan of the wood strips. Wood strips on the rafters inside would undoubtedly look great as well, a la how they did it at WinSport and the awesome wooden rafters of Valliant arena in Davos, but it would more than likely not work for concert configurations and such, so as much as I love the wooden rafters, that's a pipe dream for me.

They're actually not wood strips at Barclays. It's a metal of some sort. The arena is amazing, though Just very well put designed.

Was there for the NYE Jay-Z Concert

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

I love the Barclay's centre design, and I'm a big fan of the wood strips. Wood strips on the rafters inside would undoubtedly look great as well, a la how they did it at WinSport and the awesome wooden rafters of Valliant arena in Davos, but it would more than likely not work for concert configurations and such, so as much as I love the wooden rafters, that's a pipe dream for me.

My apologies and it has been stated it's a type of metal but that looks like an upside down wicker basket?

[JazzyFlame]

This will be a multiplex right? Home of the Flames, Stampeders, future FC team etc???

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Rifleman

Dunno if this had been posted yet as I've only read up to page 4 of this thread, but it looks like there are already plans to redevelop the West Village area, and an arena isn't in the plans.

http://www.realestateforums.com/calg...thias_tita.pdf

Actual plans to do serious work in the West Village area are 5-10 years away, and there is nothing really that would prevent an arena from being built there if the Flames wanted to.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Some nice ones:

Barclay's Centre in Brooklyn. I love the shape, but not too sure what to think about the wood strips yet.

Spoiler!

That's actually not wood, it's iron (or some sort of metal) that will naturally oxidize to that color. The last time I was there it still looked fairly metallic, but that was in the fall.

Edit: In case anyone missed it the 4 previous times. That's not wood. It's metal.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Some have mentioned the article about the history of Calgary and the "myth" of the Stampede heritage, here is the article in question by Calgarian Chris Turner:

http://thewalrus.ca/calgary-reconsidered/

That was a lengthy painful read tbh. But not that much of what the author said would be strewed as incorrect, but he clearly has an agenda in mind. One, he ignores that the culture of the area where Calgary was established revolved around ranching and farming. As Fotze points out, likely the case for a lot of areas, located in the middle of this country for sure, but doesn't make it any less true. But of course the "city" of Calgary wasn't created to for Ranching and Farming, you don't create a city for that reason.

The author is also clearly concerned that the "cowtown" stigman somehow leads to people believing this isn't a progressive city. Could be some truth to that, but it's what happens with every sterotype. We all believe that everyone in Vancouver is a dirty pot smoking hippy, but if you've been to that city, you know that the antithisis of this is in full force around Robson and Grandville streets for example.

San Antonio Texas for example likely creates images in your head, but anyone who's been there knows it's a not just what you'd think. Nashville is a lot more than just country music. Calgary, is not just a rodeo/ cowtown anymore (even if it apparently never was ) but there is no harm in embracing an identifyer, doesn't mean that's all that you have to be about, and for sure the author is correct, there is so much more to this city. But folks who get really worried about the "western" tag line this city gets are simply being insecure, worried that folks in Toronto or Vancouver use it to make fun and call us small town, but it's not the case, and that tag line does so much more good for the city economically than it does harm.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

That was a lengthy painful read tbh. But not that much of what the author said would be strewed as incorrect, but he clearly has an agenda in mind. One, he ignores that the culture of the area where Calgary was established revolved around ranching and farming. As Fotze points out, likely the case for a lot of areas, located in the middle of this country for sure, but doesn't make it any less true. But of course the "city" of Calgary wasn't created to for Ranching and Farming, you don't create a city for that reason.

The author is also clearly concerned that the "cowtown" stigman somehow leads to people believing this isn't a progressive city. Could be some truth to that, but it's what happens with every sterotype. We all believe that everyone in Vancouver is a dirty pot smoking hippy, but if you've been to that city, you know that the antithisis of this is in full force around Robson and Grandville streets for example.

San Antonio Texas for example likely creates images in your head, but anyone who's been there knows it's a not just what you'd think. Nashville is a lot more than just country music. Calgary, is not just a rodeo/ cowtown anymore (even if it apparently never was ) but there is no harm in embracing an identifyer, doesn't mean that's all that you have to be about, and for sure the author is correct, there is so much more to this city. But folks who get really worried about the "western" tag line this city gets are simply being insecure, worried that folks in Toronto or Vancouver use it to make fun and call us small town, but it's not the case, and that tag line does so much more good for the city economically than it does harm.

Does it? Outside of the Stampede the whole western thing doesn't really do much for Calgary at all as far as I can tell. IMO pushing that angle too much puts Calgary in a very niche market type position, 'come for your cowboy and wild west experience', when there is more to offer that isn't put forward. It's not about being insecure, it's about being fed up with an inaccurate image being put forth, not by people from Vancouver or Toronto, but from the city itself.

Actually, Nashville is a great example. I had no idea what Nashville had to offer until I met a lovely young lady from Nashville (okay, I knew they had those to offer) and went down to visit. I was expecting honky tonks and country music, and while they have that I discovered they also have some of the best restaurants in the country, bars that are doing all sorts of cool things with cocktails, stuff I'd never heard of even in the hippest parts of hipster Brooklyn and the music scene is insanely diverse. It took going there to find out about any of that, which is the issue. Calgary has a lot of things to offer that people have no idea about because the western image is too strong.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by valo403

Does it? Outside of the Stampede the whole western thing doesn't really do much for Calgary at all as far as I can tell. IMO pushing that angle too much puts Calgary in a very niche market type position, 'come for your cowboy and wild west experience', when there is more to offer that isn't put forward. It's not about being insecure, it's about being fed up with an inaccurate image being put forth, not by people from Vancouver or Toronto, but from the city itself.

It doesn't need to outside of the Stampede. You can't simply say "outside of the Stampede" when refering to this city. Sorry, people who say that don't understand the value of that 2 week period, it's honestly what puts this city on the map, and drives the majority of Calgary's direct tourism. That would be like saying, "outside of Mardi Gras" when talking about New Orleans. I'm not saying Stampede is as big as Mardi Gras, but don't underestimate the Stampede's drawing power to this city, it's mainly the only thing most people in Europe and the States know about this place, and it's regarded as a must see event for many people around the world and is touted as one of the worlds best parties and events by the likes of Rolling Stones magazines ect....

I agree, the western image key importance is the 2 week festival know as the Stampede, but it's economic importance to this city cannot be overstated.

[CaptainCrunch]

I still want a rocket launcher on the roof so that every time the Flames score it launches a strike against Vancouver.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It doesn't need to outside of the Stampede. You can't simply say "outside of the Stampede" when refering to this city. Sorry, people who say that don't understand the value of that 2 week period, it's honestly what puts this city on the map, and drives the majority of Calgary's direct tourism. That would be like saying, "outside of Mardi Gras" when talking about New Orleans. I'm not saying Stampede is as big as Mardi Gras, but don't underestimate the Stampede's drawing power to this city, it's mainly the only thing most people in Europe and the States know about this place, and it's regarded as a must see event for many people around the world and is touted as one of the worlds best parties and events by the likes of Rolling Stones magazines ect....

I agree, the western image key importance is the 2 week festival know as the Stampede, but it's economic importance to this city cannot be overstated.

Why is it an either/or situation? Like I said about Nashville (sorry, added that after) marketing a city as western (or whatever aspect) when there's so much more to offer does a disservice to the variety of options available. You don't have to stop marketing the Stampede because you market the fact that Calgary is more than just the Stampede.

I get the sense the city is shifting in that direction lately in terms of how it sells itself, which is why I'd hate to see a big showpiece building go the route of cowboy culture.

[Bunk]

I think it's important to de-couple the city's day-to-day decisions around architecture, planning, cultural activity from Stampede. Stampede is a festival - one that's themed Western. But that has very little to do with the day-to-day reality of Calgary as a modern city. Sure, we should western the hell out of ourselves during those two weeks, promote people to come to the city to experience that unique vibe - during stampede. But we shouldn't pretend that's what we are the rest of the year. If people are coming in May to Calgary to experience cowboy culture, they're going to be pretty disappointed - unless you can somehow make Stampede Park a true year round tourist attraction. You don't see Quebec City building their city as if Bonhomme was of cultural relevance year round.

Otherwise our architecture is going to all start looking like this:

Barnes' version of the St. Patick's Island Bridge:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?p=3408708

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Some have mentioned the article about the history of Calgary and the "myth" of the Stampede heritage, here is the article in question by Calgarian Chris Turner:

http://thewalrus.ca/calgary-reconsidered/

Yes I get it, the whole 'Cowboys and Indians' 1950s style old western movie template thing wasn't really Calgary to a T back in the late 1800s (even though the area was still a center for agriculture and in the middle of ranching country). Fair enough, point noted and maybe the some elements of the authenticity of this myth being embellished actually mattered when the festival was fledgling back a hundred years ago.
Now in 2013 the Stampede has been going on for so long that it's size and longevity in itself makes the festival motif a prominent and important part of the city's heritage. Bottomline, it put Calgary on the map when Calgary might not have enough other reasons to be there. Just because Calgary's evolved a more eccletic cultural scene after growing past a million people shouldn't relegate the Stampede and its influences to the trash heap of history.

If the new arena is sandstone and brick, and similar to American Airlines Center or Nationwide, as a Flames STH I will be very pleased and won't shed a tear for the 'avant-garde' design crowd. If we end up getting a cutting edge design that has ample concourse space, ample washrooms, great sightlines and top notch amenities then that would also be great too. My only concern with an 'innovative' design is that it may run the risk of being something that for functionality purposes might be viewed in the future as being a mistake. One only has to look to Montreal's Olympic Stadium and the Autostade to be reminded of designs that were more favorable to those photograhing them than those who actually use the facilities.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Actual plans to do serious work in the West Village area are 5-10 years away, and there is nothing really that would prevent an arena from being built there if the Flames wanted to.

And again, the biggest issue with West Village is that it requires so much other infrastructure to become developable. For instance, from that plan you can see the realignment of Bow Trail. You also have about $100 million in environmental remediation from creosote.

If you did a CRL that included an arena, that would take up a pretty good chunk of the land, which leaves less land for other redevelopment necessary to pay back the $300-$400 million loan taken to pay for the infratructure upgrades ($400-$500 million assuming $100 million City money for the arena).

There's also the issue of opening up new land for redevelopment now, when the City is still in the early stages of redeveloping East Village and where communities like Beltline have dozens and dozens of underdeveloped high density sites.

[nik-]

Not one single person is suggesting they prefer form over function. They aren't mutually exclusive.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Now in 2013 the Stampede has been going on for so long that it's size and longevity in itself makes the festival motif a prominent and important part of the city's heritage. Bottomline, it put Calgary on the map...

Interesting. I would argue that it was the Canadian Pacific Railway that put Calgary on the map.