[News] New Arena - Plan B - Victoria Park

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Perhaps it's just because I don't know the development plans for the surrounding area, but right now it looks like another arena location completely separated from any stretch of restaurants/pubs/shopping, killing any hope for an entertainment district.

I hate where the Saddledome sits. Surrounded by rubbish casinos and buildings that should be condemned. I just want to see something new - not just an updated standalone arena with no hope of creating a fun environment.

The East Village is only a few blocks North and will be built out substantially. The entire area is being redeveloped. The new site will hopefully be able to pull some of that vitality south. As is, the Guardian (kitty-corner), has some pretty high-end tenants in its podium, including a higher-end bar.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

Is KK taking notes? Must be embarrassing that someone at City Hall making 1/100th your salary is making your roll-out look like crap.

Maybe, 1/10th , but 10x the presentation effectiveness?

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Annalise Klingbeil‏Verified account @AnnaliseAK 4m4 minutes ago
More
CMLC says walls need to be broken down in Victoria Park. River/train currently act as walls. Big potential w Green Line for no more barriers

Annalise Klingbeil‏Verified account @AnnaliseAK 5s6 seconds ago
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Deputy city manager says as of this morning, province has assigned resources for further creosote testing in West Village #yyccc

Starting from the south end of the tracks, bury the C-Train from cemetary hill (under 25th Ave) then rise above grade, 50m before the river above ground utilizing existing bridge. Then continue above grade for just the next 50m north of the river, until burying it all the way 12th ave.

This allows; better intersection at 25th ave, and perhaps the radical idea of connecting 17th ave with Olympic Way.

The real estate of burying the C-Train line, affords space for new retail above the line as well.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Huh? This is one of the most insane arguments that gets thrown around...not sure what else to say if you can't see the value a library brings to our society compared to an entertainment venue. It's an important resource that can help move the needle of success for a significant portion of the population. And it's available to the entire population.

I also don't get the argument that (alleged) bad spending should me we continue bad spending.

"We should build CalgaryNEXT because we spent 25 million on a bridge!"

[Tyler]

Council debating whether to formally kill CalgaryNext

[Dr. Pepper]

"Is CalgaryNEXT dead? sleeping? on pause? @bpincott asks about putting in amendment today to publicly acknowledge CalgaryNEXT is dead."

"Pincott asks if such an amendment would be helpful. Stevens says probably not. But says a decision on CalgaryNEXT is up to council."

"Stevens says there has been no further discussion on CalgaryNEXT for some time, all efforts are on Victoria Park."

"CalgaryNEXT is still unfeasible says deputy city manager in response to ? from Nenshi."

[Dr. Pepper]

"Nenshi asks if there's been conceptual conversations about size of new event centre. Brown says no, but business of facilities has changed"

"Arenas are now focused on experience of fans, not just numbers, getting lots of people in, says Brown."

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

The East Village is only a few blocks North and will be built out substantially. The entire area is being redeveloped. The new site will hopefully be able to pull some of that vitality south. As is, the Guardian (kitty-corner), has some pretty high-end tenants in its podium, including a bar.

Agreed, I work in the area (corner of 11th & Macleod) and running a new arena/restaurant area up to the corner of Olympic Way/12th Ave would do wonders for fleshing out the area.

As it is right now, all signs of life fall right off where 10th/11th/12th ave all meet up with Olympic Way/4th street. Having bars/restaurant options between Cowboys/Dome area would do a lot to make the area more inviting.

Walking to/from Flames games it kinda feels like walking a gamut of darkness between the dome & the front of the casino. Eliminating the dark corridor of Olympic Way is a no brainer in my opinion.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Perhaps it's just because I don't know the development plans for the surrounding area, but right now it looks like another arena location completely separated from any stretch of restaurants/pubs/shopping, killing any hope for an entertainment district.

I hate where the Saddledome sits. Surrounded by rubbish casinos and buildings that should be condemned. I just want to see something new - not just an updated standalone arena with no hope of creating a fun environment.

How was that different than CalgaryNEXT.

I agree though. I don't think a new rink automatically attracts that. I think its better to go the Washington Capitals route and plant it in an area that already has an established presence. Not many options though.

I think with it being sandwiched between East Village, Vic Park, and the Stampede, there is far more potential for it to be successful.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I have a friend who is directly involved with law enforcement in that area, and he's suggested to me on plenty of occasions that bulldozing old Library downtown would be in the public's best interest. Hangout of shady characters that use it as a narcotics muster point. Needless to say, he doesn't hold much hope the new one will be much different, because as you've mentioned, the people who would actually use it are not going to come downtown for it.

There was an RFP out from Bow Valley College in November soliciting responses for a master plan / site acquisition that would include that entire block, including the old library site.

There's definitely interest in that particular site, but it may be an ugly tug-of-war between the City, CMLC, Bow Valley College and any other interested private suitor. My money is on BVC though.

[sureLoss]

City council doesn't kill CalgaryNEXT.

Scott Dippel @CBCScott
#yyccc rejects ceasing work on CgyNext. 12-3 against. It lives!!!

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
In 12-3 vote, council decides CalgaryNEXT isn't dead. So the hybrid arena-fieldhouse-stadium concept is still just sleeping/resting/on pause

[RM14]

Nenshi voted to keep it alive as well.

[CorbeauNoir]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I have a friend who is directly involved with law enforcement in that area, and he's suggested to me on plenty of occasions that bulldozing old Library downtown would be in the public's best interest. Hangout of shady characters that use it as a narcotics muster point. Needless to say, he doesn't hold much hope the new one will be much different, because as you've mentioned, the people who would actually use it are not going to come downtown for it.

With the adjacent East Village filling out with a more upscale population and the new library straddling over the barrier of the CTrain tracks I think it stands an okay shot of being a cleaner more attractive venue. This new generation of central libraries are a lot more flexible in their programming than just being book storage units, much like the NMC next door I'd expect it to be host for a fairly regular schedule of functions intended to attract people to the area on a more consistent basis.

[sureLoss]

Annalise Klingbeil‏Verified account @AnnaliseAK
Recommendations before council re Victoria Park pass. Basically it will keep being examined.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

City council doesn't kill CalgaryNEXT.

Scott Dippel @CBCScott
#yyccc rejects ceasing work on CgyNext. 12-3 against. It lives!!!

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
In 12-3 vote, council decides CalgaryNEXT isn't dead. So the hybrid arena-fieldhouse-stadium concept is still just sleeping/resting/on pause

[Frequitude]

I'm fine with this:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

City council doesn't kill CalgaryNEXT.

Scott Dippel @CBCScott
#yyccc rejects ceasing work on CgyNext. 12-3 against. It lives!!!

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
In 12-3 vote, council decides CalgaryNEXT isn't dead. So the hybrid arena-fieldhouse-stadium concept is still just sleeping/resting/on pause

Originally Posted by RM14

Nenshi voted to keep it alive as well.

So long as this is in fact true:

Originally Posted by Dr. Pepper

"Stevens says there has been no further discussion on CalgaryNEXT for some time, all efforts are on Victoria Park."

I'm ecstatic with this new plan. It just makes so much sense for the greater area. I also like the long term layout of the grounds with the land swap and the Saddledome leveled. The dome kinda segments it pretty badly and isolates the new youth campus. This is great for all parties involved.

[Bunk]

Keeping it alive while saying it is absolutely not feasible, and no actual work is going on, and hasn't for some time, seems to be to humour Ken King, or let him save face, or something.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Keeping it alive while saying it is absolutely not feasible, and no actual work is going on, and hasn't for some time, seems to be to humour Ken King, or let him save face, or something.

Yeah that was odd

[RM14]

Not sure who it was, but one councilor said, the end vote on this will likely include a number of people who are not in the room presently and who are we to take options off the table today. Referring to the upcoming election.

Let's say the Olympic bid committee comes back this summer and council votes to proceed with that.. no doubt CalgaryNEXT or a stadium solution will need to come right back into the discussion.

[sureLoss]

Lucas Meyer @meyer_lucas
Ken King after #yyccc "If we can make a deal on Victoria Park, we will." #CalgaryNEXT #yyc

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
"I'm glad we're coming ever closer to a decision point, says King. "Needs to happen sooner than later. Important we expedite the process."

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
"We're behind the clock now. We have been for some time in terms of our business plans and what we need to do," says King. #yyccc

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
"If we can make a deal in Victoria Park, we will," says Ken King. "And if we can't, then we'll revisit whatever options are available to us"

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
King: If we come to an agreement in Vic Park, then the matter of the disposition of McMahon Stadium becomes a separate/different issue

Annalise Klingbeil @AnnaliseAK
Ken King: "I don't even want to talk about being unsuccessful. This is too rational, too logical. It should happen. I think it will happen."

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I think with it being sandwiched between East Village, Vic Park, and the Stampede, there is far more potential for it to be successful.

Not to mention Inglewood to the east, which is the same walking distance from Saddledome to midpoint of 17th ave (4ST W). The location is in centre of pedestrian areas.