New Edmonton Arena Construction will begin in March 2014

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the building. Buildings that are built to appear ultra modern usually look ultra outdated in 20 years IMO. I'd probably have preferred something with a more classic look.

With that said, building appearance is pretty much the last thing I am concerned about with a sports building. Hopefully they do the most important things right and the new building has great sight lines as well as ample concourse space and ease at getting refreshments/bathroom breaks.

I recently visited the Vancouver rink for the first time and I was pretty surprised at how cramped their concourses were for a newer building. Hopefully the Katz machine doesn't make the same mistake.

I agree. The style will look very out of place very quickly and they should have gone for something a little more classic.

Then again, I'm relatively certain this is another incident where Katz let his kid come up with the design.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Locke

Then again, I'm relatively certain this is another incident where Katz let his kid come up with the design.

Not curly enough

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Honestly, that might be the strangest hockey game I have ever seen. Edmonton has six skaters and a goalie out on the ice, and the Jets have only five, and no goaltender. It's no wonder Edmonton managed to score five goals.

It's also the start of the 1st period, and there are 4 players with penalties, two with minors, and two with double minors.

[Red John]

Well in fairness other teams will probably be spotting the Oilers goals to start games by 2016.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I wonder if this will help downtown Edmonton. Their downtown is even deader than Calgary's after work hours, and some parts are just downright scary to be in.

The CBD is dead in most cities after work hours, but lots of places have areas right tucked against it that have life. Calgary with 10th, 17th, Kensington. Does Edmonton even have those?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Rogers arena is close to 20 years old now. It's not that new, and in the next decade they will likely be looking at extensive renovation, or building a new arena.

Rogers is still a fantastic arena to view a game in though.

Based on years I guess you could assume it's up for some renos, but based on being inside it 5-15 times a year, I don't know that it needs much work at all.

Great building to view a game.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Glad to see this get started. World class venue finally coming to fruition in Alberta.

It is kind of crazy when you think that the richest province in the country is the last one to get an up to date hockey/football facility.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I wonder if this will help downtown Edmonton. Their downtown is even deader than Calgary's after work hours, and some parts are just downright scary to be in.

When you say "even deader" that insinuates there's a night life downtown Edmonton when there is no such thing. On the outskirts of downtown there's a trendy coffee place or two but the entire downtown is a ghost town after dark. That said they don't have near the downtown condo development Calgary has.

[morgin]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Rogers is still a fantastic arena to view a game in though.

Based on years I guess you could assume it's up for some renos, but based on being inside it 5-15 times a year, I don't know that it needs much work at all.

Great building to view a game.

Yeah, it's a weird building. The interior was actually pretty progressive in rink design and a lot of the new rinks have taken cues from how the seating is done for sightlines and access. If all you were worried about was the "in-arena" setup, with some minor renovations just to keep things feeling modern, you could probably easily get another 15-20 years out of that place.

Conversely, the concourse seems to have taken cues from 80s rink design and is cramped and has lots of choke points (much like the saddledome in that regard). It will require extensive renovation to stay competitive with modern rink ammenties, which will need to happen much sooner than later I would think.

BC Place renovation was a pretty good example of how you can make an old building feel new at any rate when the fundamentals are there.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by morgin

Yeah, it's a weird building. The interior was actually pretty progressive in rink design and a lot of the new rinks have taken cues from how the seating is done for sightlines and access. If all you were worried about was the "in-arena" setup, with some minor renovations just to keep things feeling modern, you could probably easily get another 15-20 years out of that place.

Conversely, the concourse seems to have taken cues from 80s rink design and is cramped and has lots of choke points (much like the saddledome in that regard). It will require extensive renovation to stay competitive with modern rink ammenties, which will need to happen much sooner than later I would think.

BC Place renovation was a pretty good example of how you can make an old building feel new at any rate when the fundamentals are there.

Yeah, I agree the concourse is a bit congested.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Yeah, I agree the concourse is a bit congested.

No kidding, there's barely any room for a dodge ram.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Rogers is still a fantastic arena to view a game in though.

Based on years I guess you could assume it's up for some renos, but based on being inside it 5-15 times a year, I don't know that it needs much work at all.

Great building to view a game.

I disagree. I've been in 24 NHL arenas, and in terms of the "modern era" arenas, GM is definitely near the bottom of that list, with SAP Center in SJ.

SAP at least has some uniqueness and character to make up for it's lack of adopting a modern concourse system. Honda Center, built before both of those, is one of the best laid out. United Center is one of the older "modern arenas" and is also a far superior facility.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I'd probably have preferred something with a more classic look.

Originally Posted by Locke

I agree. The style will look very out of place very quickly and they should have gone for something a little more classic.

So what are you guys looking for in your "classic look"? Roman columns? Marble countertops?

I think sports complexes look best when they look toward the future, not the past. If you build it well enough, it won't be dated...it will be an icon.

Just look at the last generation of stadiums. Edmonton went for a classic (aka expected) look with Northlands Coliseum. Vancouver too went classic with Pacific Coliseum... and so did pretty much every other stadium in the league. The Saddledome went for something a little different. Which one is more iconic? Do you hear anyone in Edmonton wanting to keep that round circle around? I sure don't.

I'm glad Edmonton pushed the design of the stadium, and I hope it pushes Calgary to go even further. Honestly, even if they are dated, sports facilities tend to have a life of what, 30-40 years? Chances are by the time it's dated, it will be time to build a new one.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I disagree. I've been in 24 NHL arenas, and in terms of the "modern era" arenas, GM is definitely near the bottom of that list, with SAP Center in SJ.

SAP at least has some uniqueness and character to make up for it's lack of adopting a modern concourse system. Honda Center, built before both of those, is one of the best laid out. United Center is one of the older "modern arenas" and is also a far superior facility.

Honda center reminds me of the Saddledome. Surprised you think that. Small and outdated concourse. My buddies and I called it the nicer looking Saddledome.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Honda center reminds me of the Saddledome. Surprised you think that. Small and outdated concourse. My buddies and I called it the nicer looking Saddledome.

Honda Centre has a multilevel concourse. Maybe because we had club seats we missed seeing the issues with the other concourses, but I found it much better.

[Table 5]

I was in steerage-class, and I remember Honda Center being quite spacious and easy to get around. I just personally didn't like all the beige/pink stucco look of the place...it felt like a giant showhome. I definitely prefer the look of Staples Center.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Table 5

So what are you guys looking for in your "classic look"? Roman columns? Marble countertops?

I think sports complexes look best when they look toward the future, not the past. If you build it well enough, it won't be dated...it will be an icon.

I dunno. Maybe a few straight lines and corners. Maybe another colour or two on the outside of the building.

It's just looks like a big silver blob to me.

I think a newer arena like Nationwide looks much sharper.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I dunno. Maybe a few straight lines and corners. Maybe another colour or two on the outside of the building.

It's just looks like a big silver blob to me.

I think a newer arena like Nationwide looks much sharper.

Agreed. Nationwide IMO is the Camden Yards of the NHL, just gorgeous.

spoiler for size

Spoiler!

[Table 5]

We already have one of those. It's called the Roundup Centre.

Personally, I hate new buildings that try to look like old buildings.

[TKB]

I don't go to many games in Edmonton but I'll have to try and make a few more trips once the new building is up, looks pretty sharp. I can't wait until the flames new barn is up though, will be nice having a new arena so close to home.