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

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

That is pretty much the same sales pitch we were given before the 96 renovation.

When the renovation was complete, the season ticket holders got to find out that their seats no longer existed because they had been replaced by luxury boxes and the club level. And their new seats were not as good and more expensive.

This is the same thing all over again. If you have a 200 level seasons ticket, do you really think that you will be offered a comparable seat at a comparable price in the new building? I don't.

Just yesterday, Bettman said that the Dome doesn't have nearly enough suites and club seats. Soooooo, if you put in more luxury seating, that means that there has to be less regular seating.

The new building is not for the common man. It is for the elite. So let the elite pay for it. If Murray Edwards wants to pay for a new building, great!! They can put shovels in the ground tomorrow. If he wants tax dollars to pay for it, he can have it sometime in "the future".

Or it means there will be a bigger capacity in the new building. PLus, more luxury seating might just mean more availability of such seating - cheaper suites or maybe even suites that are publicly available for groups. Who knows (all I know is that once you've used a suite washroom you never want to go to events anywhere else, plus the chicken fingers and wings are fantastic in the suites).

[The Yen Man]

I just want a better facility to make it more attractive for potential free agents. Everything about the dome is lacking when compared to most arenas around the league, both for fans and for players.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Or it means there will be a bigger capacity in the new building.

Unpossible. All buildings are the same size. Didn't you get the memo?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_Canada

Bettman also had a shot at King about the Dome, mentioned that it averaged 3-4000 less lower bowl seats than most arenas.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's because of the renovations where they added boxes. Prior to the renovations the lower bowl was significantly larger. It's also part of the reason it's not feasible to renovate again.

Also, the set up of the Dome makes the first few rows of the second level among the best vantages to watch a hockey game of any arena I have ever been to.

The implied argument there is that the small lower bowl costs the team revenue. But since the Flames price those upper bowl seats equal to the lower bowl, they really aren't.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Also, the set up of the Dome makes the first few rows of the second level among the best vantages to watch a hockey game of any arena I have ever been to.

The implied argument there is that the small lower bowl costs the team revenue. But since the Flames price those upper bowl seats equal to the lower bowl, they really aren't.

Great vantage point. However, you pay club level prices or higher, but have to wait in line for the concession and the bathroom with everyone else.

A big, big, big reason I have not left section PL10 in ten years. Is because I'm steps away from the bathroom that rarely has a lineup. The concession is real close, not the best concession but it is very close. I can give money to my seven year old to go and get food at the concession and just glance over my shoulder to make sure he is ok. And I can be on the sidewalk in minutes after the final buzzer.

A new rink will eliminate long lines for the washrooms and improve the lines and choices for the concessions. However it will come at a steep price increase to the STH.

[MrMastodonFarm]

The Dome is behind in fan experience, we need a new arena in that regard... But where it's really needed is for the teams and personnel that call the Saddledome home. There are how many teams at the Dome now? The space is so disgustingly limited.

Go through the bowels of the Saddledome and you'll understand how desperately a new facility is needed. The Flames don't even have a proper practice facility, something most teams have now.

For fans a new area is needed, I understand how some think it's fine.. But when you really dig into it, it's desperately needed.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Muta

King is directly involved in this. He isn't just 'out front'.

I should have been clearer in my point. When EnCana built the Bow building downtown do you think the President/CEO of EnCana was involved day to day in the construction of the building? No they weren't but they were involved. The "lead" on the construction was a person who reported to them on the progress and directly ran the group involved in the day to day construction - which he ran from the budget he was given.

I imagine that King is involved in much the same manner as the President of EnCana was, he has a budget/plan from ownership but he has a construction lead looking after the actual planning, with input from the executives. King is probably involved in the political aspect of funding/location and corporate requirements, which seems to be the stage the rink is at now. If he is involved in the design and construction then there may be a problem.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Am I the only one that wants the Dome to stay around forever and become like Fenway Park? Old buildings with character and history are way cooler to go see than brand new facilities.

I hear you... I liked that one used to be able to instantly know where the game was being played based on the camera angle.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Flames don't even have a proper practice facility, something most teams have now.

This is one thing that baffles me. If teams in non traditional markets with smaller revenue streams can build practice facilities. Why can't the Flames?

Maybe in the grand scheme of things, the ownership group knows it can sell tickets without having to spend additional money to try to entice free agents to generate interest in the on ice product.

[dammage79]

RE the Saddledome: Shouldn't have to take an entire intermission to go pee. Then the first two-three minutes of a period to grab a beer and find your way back to your seat.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dammage79

RE the Saddledome: Shouldn't have to take an entire intermission to go pee. Then the first two-three minutes of a period to grab a beer and find your way back to your seat.

It doesn't take that long if you are prepared to dual purpose your empty beer container. Think like a truck driver.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

This is one thing that baffles me. If teams in non traditional markets with smaller revenue streams can build practice facilities. Why can't the Flames?

Maybe in the grand scheme of things, the ownership group knows it can sell tickets without having to spend additional money to try to entice free agents to generate interest in the on ice product.

I'd imagine they plan to address it all in this massive soon to be announced project. I'd be shocked if this doesn't include a practise facility.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by dammage79

RE the Saddledome: Shouldn't have to take an entire intermission to go pee. Then the first two-three minutes of a period to grab a beer and find your way back to your seat.

This is the WORST part of going to a game. The bathrooms are so garbage too. They make Ernie Stars bathrooms look like the Taj Mahal. I don;t know who's idea it was to have 6 urinals in there either. The trough would be more appealing then the garbage they have in there. I feel really bad if anyone ever has do duke during a game.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

This is one thing that baffles me. If teams in non traditional markets with smaller revenue streams can build practice facilities. Why can't the Flames?

Maybe in the grand scheme of things, the ownership group knows it can sell tickets without having to spend additional money to try to entice free agents to generate interest in the on ice product.

The new arena complex will include an on-site practice facility, much like the new building in Edmonton and what they have in Columbus. This is something Ken King has mentioned in the past.

It wouldn't make any sense for the Flames to build a temporary training facility to use for now until the new building is open, especially when the Corral is across the street from the Saddledome and can be used when needed. They can also use WinSport, like they have for the last few training camps.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by dammage79

RE the Saddledome: Shouldn't have to take an entire intermission to go pee. Then the first two-three minutes of a period to grab a beer and find your way back to your seat.

You don't have to. Go to the washrooms during a commercial break (no line up), get a beer on the way back (no or minimal line up), wait with the usher until the next whistle. You may still miss a bit minutes of action but it will be less aggravating.

Hell, if you sit in the high 200's you get a few minutes of closer action.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by shermanator

You don't have to. Go to the washrooms during a commercial break (no line up), get a beer on the way back (no or minimal line up), wait with the usher until the next whistle. You may still miss a bit minutes of action but it will be less aggravating.

Hell, if you sit in the high 200's you get a few minutes of closer action.

These are all great solutions to problems that won't exist in a new arena.

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It doesn't take that long if you are prepared to dual purpose your empty beer container. Think like a truck driver.

Dirty ol' piss jugs everywhere

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

I should have been clearer in my point. When EnCana built the Bow building downtown do you think the President/CEO of EnCana was involved day to day in the construction of the building? No they weren't but they were involved. The "lead" on the construction was a person who reported to them on the progress and directly ran the group involved in the day to day construction - which he ran from the budget he was given.

I imagine that King is involved in much the same manner as the President of EnCana was, he has a budget/plan from ownership but he has a construction lead looking after the actual planning, with input from the executives. King is probably involved in the political aspect of funding/location and corporate requirements, which seems to be the stage the rink is at now. If he is involved in the design and construction then there may be a problem.

Encana sold the Bow office assets to H&R Real Estate Investment Trust in 2007 and signed a 25 year lease. There would have been a project team and a PM who would report to the board. The construction would be managed by a project management team who would supervise the construction. The CEO of Encana would not be involved on a daily basis. I would expect though that the Flames would have a bit more involvement with Ken King acting as a Project Director role with a Project Manager underneath him dealing with day to day work.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah....no.

Go to one of the really new NHL facilities and you will never want to set foot into the 'Dome ever again.

You're comparing open-air facilities to closed-air stadiums and theres a HUGE difference. Ice doesnt stick around by magic.

Been to several, all nice facilities but seem pretty generic and lack originality IMO.

Originally Posted by Hackey

Seriously? The Dome is nowhere near historic like Fenway Park. The Dome is a hole. I can't wait until the Flames are in a new building.

Never said it was, I said that one day it could become like that. It would take a while, but we'd get there eventually.

I guess I'm just too nostalgic.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by getbak

The new arena complex will include an on-site practice facility, much like the new building in Edmonton and what they have in Columbus. This is something Ken King has mentioned in the past.

It wouldn't make any sense for the Flames to build a temporary training facility to use for now until the new building is open, especially when the Corral is across the street from the Saddledome and can be used when needed. They can also use WinSport, like they have for the last few training camps.

Having to run all over town is the thing that isn't appealing to the players though. Because most rinks are multi use stadiums. You can't always have practice at the Dome. So having practice at the Dome one day, and then the next day at Winsport isn't appealing to the players. Having an off sight, dedicated practice facility with ample parking, your own locker, a lunch room, state of the art gym, player lounge, and unlimited ice time is what I understand most players want.