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

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Muta

The land at the Fire Park is contaminated I believe... I don't see that location seriously happening.

So is the West Village.

[TurdFerguson]

With all the east village developments, the Hilton etc the North Stampede grounds make a lot of sense. That said...getting people in and out would be a major issue in that area.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Most likely in the West Village area. Would work well since city has just made a redevelopment plan for the area, so it's getting a whole makeover anyway in regards of roadways and building types.

The West Village Area Redevelopment Plan calls for a residential/commercial mixed use community and having westbound Bow Trail align with 8th Street. The plan is more likely to hinder a stadium development than to help it (and I'm not entirely sad about that either, it's a prime location for an awesome community).

[nik-]

Building a new football stadium seems like such a waste of money unless the goal is MLS.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

Building a new football stadium seems like such a waste of money unless the goal is MLS.

IMO the Stampeders need a new stadium much more than the Flames to stay viable with the rest of the CFL that is all getting new or completely renovated stadiums. The Flames surely didn't purchase the Stampeders without having a long term plan for them and I believe the new stadium/arena developement was part of that plan all along.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO the Stampeders need a new stadium much more than the Flames to stay viable with the rest of the CFL that is all getting new or completely renovated stadiums. The Flames surely didn't purchase the Stampeders without having a long term plan for them and I believe the new stadium/arena developement was part of that plan all along.

Well need is great, but it's a venue with a similar, it not higher, price tag to an arena and it has a 1/4 of the sporting events plus a lot less concerts.

It's not a good use of money, whether they choose to do it or not. It needs to get a soccer team in there too.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Most likely in the West Village area. Would work well since city has just made a redevelopment plan for the area, so it's getting a whole makeover anyway in regards of roadways and building types. And most importantly, there's direct transit access from the new Sunalta station.

If they don't build something major there, that is a useless station as it is.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by getbak

So is the West Village.

True. I still don't see the Fire Park as a preferred location though.

[Ozy_Flame]

C-Train would have to be adjusted to accommodate Firepark. There is next to no chance that a major stadium development goes up without immediate and ample access to public transportation services. West Village makes much more sense. A large, central train station that has already been developed around major causeways.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by SebC

The West Village Area Redevelopment Plan calls for a residential/commercial mixed use community and having westbound Bow Trail align with 8th Street. The plan is more likely to hinder a stadium development than to help it (and I'm not entirely sad about that either, it's a prime location for an awesome community).

Depending on the location of the two venues, the area as a whole can still work as residential/commercial area. It's still downtown after all, and the way new arenas/stadiums are being built, they can be integrated into the community nicely so residental buildings aren't too out of place.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

C-Train would have to be adjusted to accommodate Firepark. There is next to no chance that a major stadium development goes up without immediate and ample access to public transportation services. West Village makes much more sense. A large, central train station that has already been developed around major causeways.

What would need to change? The Max Bell Station is already there, and my understanding is that there's already a tunnel under Memorial for pedestrian access between the CTrain and Fire Park.

Something else I recently found out about is the vehicle tunnel that goes under Memorial into Fire Park from the Memorial-Barlow exit: http://goo.gl/maps/rf4EO

When the interchange was built, there were plans to heavily develop the Fire Park site, and so the access road was built. Then, they closed up the entrance to the tunnel.


I'm sure the Fire Park site is not their top choice, but all of the locations have their drawbacks, and it might still be the best option.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Muta

The land at the Fire Park is contaminated I believe... I don't see that location seriously happening.

I don't think that is the biggest problem at that location. Contamination can be removed, albeit at a cost. Fire Park is a beautiful site but it is just not big enough for an arena, accessory buildings and parking (unless a massive multi-storey parkade structure is built over/under ground, which is not a good solution for up to 10,000 vehicles arriving and leaving at the same time). Plus, Memorial Dr. alone would not support the access, I think.

Parking allocation has got to be the biggest challenge for finding an appropriate new site in Calgary. 10,000 surface parking stalls would require 60-68 acres of land, which would be a waste of expensive land, of course. Public transit solution would have to play a huge role there.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO the Stampeders need a new stadium much more than the Flames to stay viable with the rest of the CFL that is all getting new or completely renovated stadiums. The Flames surely didn't purchase the Stampeders without having a long term plan for them and I believe the new stadium/arena developement was part of that plan all along.

Why do the Stampeders need to stay viable with the rest of the CFL? Are Stamps fans going to go to games in Hamilton instead? Are they going to see games in a new stadium in Winnipeg and decide they don't want to go to Mcmahon because it's not as nice?

People severely overestimate what amenities the typical football stadium offers. This is not the NFL, and NFL like additions simply aren't realistic. McMahon needs work, but it's certainly nowhere near the point of needing total replacement.

[calgaryrocks]

in a sense you are correct, they aren't going to go to a game in BC because the stadium is better...but they might stay at home and watch on tv if the stadium isn't very nice (which I'm sure is already the case for some)

[valo403]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

in a sense you are correct, they aren't going to go to a game in BC because the stadium is better...but they might stay at home and watch on tv if the stadium isn't very nice (which I'm sure is already the case for some)

So does that only apply to the CFL then, because by all accounts the Saddeldome needs replacing and I don't see people sitting at home because of that, or at least not in numbers that matter. What about the countless major college programs in the US with stadiums offering comparable amenities to McMahon? They don't seem to suffer based upon stadium issues.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

Why do the Stampeders need to stay viable with the rest of the CFL? Are Stamps fans going to go to games in Hamilton instead? Are they going to see games in a new stadium in Winnipeg and decide they don't want to go to Mcmahon because it's not as nice?

People severely overestimate what amenities the typical football stadium offers. This is not the NFL, and NFL like additions simply aren't realistic. McMahon needs work, but it's certainly nowhere near the point of needing total replacement.

And the Stamps only have about 10 home games a year. Empty stadium for 355 days.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by valo403

So does that only apply to the CFL then, because by all accounts the Saddeldome needs replacing and I don't see people sitting at home because of that, or at least not in numbers that matter. What about the countless major college programs in the US with stadiums offering comparable amenities to McMahon? They don't seem to suffer based upon stadium issues.

maybe it doesn't. though comparing canadian football fans to american football fans or canadian hockey fans is not the same.
Football is played outdoors, which is awesome in the summer....but not so much in the fall in northern climates. football is not as big in Canada as hockey, so it would have more of an impact. hockey fans in Canada will endure more to watch live - as seen by ticket prices. they are also spending less time in the building than in football (2.25 hours vs 3 hours). of course people stay home from the saddledome because there is no room in the concourse etc also.
college stadiums in the US are similar to mcmahon...I have not been to any but americans love football and will endure anything to watch (like our hockey fans).
McMahon is not that bad....it has terrific sightlines. it's concourse is too small when over 30,000, the benches in the far corners are freezing in evenings and in the winter, the concession stands are stuck in the 80s. also the noise bylaws in the area prevent it from being used for big concerts, but that is an area issue, not the building itself. it really isn't that bad, but is the saddledome really that bad? no. neither needs to be replaced, except to line the owners pockets a bit.
new stadiums would be exciting (hockey and football/soccer)...but I don't want to pay for them haha

[Flamenspiel]

Is there a link to this info about a new arena or is it just a rumor?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

maybe it doesn't. though comparing canadian football fans to american football fans or canadian hockey fans is not the same.
Football is played outdoors, which is awesome in the summer....but not so much in the fall in northern climates. football is not as big in Canada as hockey, so it would have more of an impact. hockey fans in Canada will endure more to watch live - as seen by ticket prices. they are also spending less time in the building than in football (2.25 hours vs 3 hours). of course people stay home from the saddledome because there is no room in the concourse etc also.
college stadiums in the US are similar to mcmahon...I have not been to any but americans love football and will endure anything to watch (like our hockey fans).
McMahon is not that bad....it has terrific sightlines. it's concourse is too small when over 30,000, the benches in the far corners are freezing in evenings and in the winter, the concession stands are stuck in the 80s. also the noise bylaws in the area prevent it from being used for big concerts, but that is an area issue, not the building itself. it really isn't that bad, but is the saddledome really that bad? no. neither needs to be replaced, except to line the owners pockets a bit.
new stadiums would be exciting (hockey and football/soccer)...but I don't want to pay for them haha

The bolded part really hits the nail on the head, so if ownership thinks a new stadium will make them more money then more power to them. I just find it funny to hear people talk about how bad McMahon is when it's not that far behind stadiums that people talk about as being some of the greatest in college football. Notre Dame Stadium and Michigan Stadium are obviously much bigger, but outside of some recent renovations (the kind McMahon could use) the spectator amenities are about the same. The bathrooms are old and kind of dingy, the concessions are almost identical and the seats are freezing cold metal.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Depending on the location of the two venues, the area as a whole can still work as residential/commercial area. It's still downtown after all, and the way new arenas/stadiums are being built, they can be integrated into the community nicely so residental buildings aren't too out of place.

This is the West Village Area Redevelopment Plan. The plan would have to be changed a lot to accomodate sports facilities, as it currently specifies a mix of resential, office and retail for most of the area.