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

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by superfarmer

Just curious where the money will come from to build an 850 million dollar arena?

We'll just tax all the super farms.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

I dont see Calgarians watching Soccer like they do in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. I cant see even 10,000 Calgarians going to see live MLS soccer game after game.

I think you'd be surprised. MLS is inexpensive, soccer is on the uptick in North America, and Calgary has a huge contingent of the population that were either born or raised in areas where soccer is the most popular sport, many of them carry that with them.

To be successful you only need an average attendance of 15-20000. Calgary is a very receptive market so long as the product is of a high level. NASL wouldn't draw well, but if you put an MLS team in, you'd sell.

I think if an MLS team could be properly incorporated into the new stadium, then it would be successful. Similar to that of the Hitmen or Roughnecks (in terms of piggybacking on the main draw's venue).

[Locke]

Originally Posted by superfarmer

Soccer. Remember the Drillers. That worked out well. Just curious where the money will come from to build an 850 million dollar arena? Ownership will not foot the bill for that and good luck getting taxpayer money.

Why not? We'll just introduce a small ticket-tax and I'm sure that the City of Edmonton will pick up the rest. I hear they love taking it up the rear on terrible deals.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by superfarmer

Soccer. Remember the Drillers. That worked out well. Just curious where the money will come from to build an 850 million dollar arena? Ownership will not foot the bill for that and good luck getting taxpayer money.

I love when people say that taxpayer money won't go into it, as if it's not already a foregone conclusion that you'll be dropping some dimes for the new stadium.

Hey, if the new library got approved with only medium grumbling of the "Not from MY pocket Nenshi!" crowd, then I'm sure a new arena would be fiiiiine.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by troutman

It's a pipe-dream. There are 19 teams already in MLS, and Calgary is only the 49th largest metro population in North America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rthern_America

I can only see it happening if MLS does a second and third division.

No, it's not.

You have to keep in mind... a covered stadium, the majority of the season in the spring and summer when the Flames don't play, an increasingly large and diverse population with a very high household income... these are reasons that MLS can work in Calgary. This is not oblivious to those involved.

Just trust me on this.

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by superfarmer

Soccer. Remember the Drillers. That worked out well. Just curious where the money will come from to build an 850 million dollar arena? Ownership will not foot the bill for that and good luck getting taxpayer money.

Haven't the Flames' ownership always said that they will be building an arena without government assistance?

I think what will happen is a 100% privately financed arena and a 100% publicly funded stadium. The City gets 2 big pieces of a future Olympic bid for the price of 1, the Owners keep their word, and the Owners get increased cash flows from the Stamps/stadium concerts/Grey Cups to help pay down the arena.

Win-win

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by Muta

No, it's not.

You have to keep in mind... a covered stadium, the majority of the season in the spring and summer when the Flames don't play, an increasingly large and diverse population with a very high household income... these are reasons that MLS can work in Calgary. This is not oblivious to those involved.

Just trust me on this.

This message has been brought to you by soccer, the sport of the future since 1968.

[superfarmer]

I think cricket would be more viable than "footy"

[Erick Estrada]

If they can make the stadium able to convert to baseball I could see another Tripple A baseball team coming to town.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Muta

No, it's not.

You have to keep in mind... a covered stadium, the majority of the season in the spring and summer when the Flames don't play, an increasingly large and diverse population with a very high household income... these are reasons that MLS can work in Calgary. This is not oblivious to those involved.

Just trust me on this.

I ask this question while almost completely ignorant on the MLS...why would a soccer league want covered stadiums. I know we have awful weather sometimes, but if I were to go to a soccer game, I would want to be outdoors.

Maybe there are indoor MLS teams, as I said I have no idea.

[Lego Man]

Originally Posted by Muta

No, it's not.

You have to keep in mind... a covered stadium, the majority of the season in the spring and summer when the Flames don't play, an increasingly large and diverse population with a very high household income... these are reasons that MLS can work in Calgary. This is not oblivious to those involved.

Just trust me on this.

For the record I do believe a team would be successful enough in Calgary, providing a roofed stadium is built and shared with the Stamps.

I would rather watch MLS live than CFL, especially with NFL in my face so often.

[Jacks]

A covered stadium would be great for Stamps games. I love the July and August games in the sun but the end of the season and playoffs are bloody cold.

Originally Posted by RW99

It's a shame something like the above couldn't be combined with an Olympic bid.

After hearing that Sochi is going to cost $50 billion I'm not sure if I want us bidding for another olympics. I'm sure we could do it cheaper than Russia but even a quarter of that amount is ridiculous.

[Coach]

yeah i would definitely be on board with the MLS and would likely be a season ticket holder. I know quite a few people that would be interested. Just have a retractable bubble roof.

[Tyler]

Remember, if you have an MLS team, then you have more reason to build a stadium and have more days where it's filled and concessions are being utilized and parking is being paid for, etc etc. You also have the opportunity to receive funding from the CSA if Canada ever does get awarded the 2026 World Cup.

The Flames sports group likely wants to be the Flames sports empire at some point. You just gotta have the ambition to do it.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This makes me think the rumor the Flames are looking at a dual purpose stadium is true.

Moveable ceilings is the key for that. Ceiling comes down for a 20k hockey stadium and then transforms for a 40k capacity football stadium.

So basically.... the Edmonton Omniplex?

Spoiler!

Alternatively, there's the Saitama Super Arena design.



======================

Originally Posted by troutman

It's a pipe-dream. There are 19 teams already in MLS, and Calgary is only the 49th largest metro population in North America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rthern_America

I can only see it happening if MLS does a second and third division.

Metro population isn't the only factor in market size for a sports team.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I ask this question while almost completely ignorant on the MLS...why would a soccer league want covered stadiums. I know we have awful weather sometimes, but if I were to go to a soccer game, I would want to be outdoors.

Maybe there are indoor MLS teams, as I said I have no idea.

It doesn't matter so much at a certain latitude; unfortunately for us, we can get snow right until June, and as early as September. Considering the MLS season is from May until November (including playoffs), this does matter.

A covered stadium helps to greatly reverse the possibility of fans not buying tickets because of extreme weather conditions... this includes rain and slight drizzles.

Despite its enormous cost (a separate issue) for the renovated BC Place, that place is magnificent to watch the Whitecaps in. That specific stadium is huge, and they tarp off the upper bowl, but you can have a new covered stadium with 40,000 - not 60,000 seats. BC Place was there before the Whitecaps moved in.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by SebC

Metro population isn't the only factor in market size for a sports team.

For MLS it should be factor #1. Factor #2 should be ethnic/immigrant population, and I'd guess Calgary is way down the list in that regard. Toronto for example now has a larger ethnic population than an anglo/franco population. Most US cities have a significant Hispanic population now.

Small market Canadian teams are box office and TV ratings poison in the US.

What Calgary has going for it is wealth and growth.

I'd like to see MLS here, but there are many larger markets.

[shutout]

The mention of a convention center attached is a good idea.
I know that part of the economic model for Century Link field in Seattle was the large convention center that is attached to it. Granted that the NFL revenue would make the stadium worth while to build regardless, but when I took the tour there, it was heavily emphasized that the convention center helps out a lot. They have something like 480 events per year in the convention center.

[shutout]

Another cool thing about the convention center in Seattle attached to Century Link field is that the entire roof is covered with solar panels to help reduce the energy impact on the building.

Not being an engineer, I ask the following question sincerely.

The one location proposal that is close to the river. Would it be possible to build ducts under or around the site that the river water would flow through? Set up generator turbines that would help to power the new facility. Would it be possible to generate enough power through the constant flow of the river, and would it be economically feasible to do so? As well, as environmentally plausible to do so?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by shutout

Another cool thing about the convention center in Seattle attached to Century Link field is that the entire roof is covered with solar panels to help reduce the energy impact on the building.

Not being an engineer, I ask the following question sincerely.

The one location proposal that is close to the river. Would it be possible to build ducts under or around the site that the river water would flow through? Set up generator turbines that would help to power the new facility. Would it be possible to generate enough power through the constant flow of the river, and would it be economically feasible to do so? As well, as environmentally plausible to do so?

The red tape to do that almost certainly would make it not worth doing. Solar panels could probably provide as much power.