[News] UPD: Aug 4 released renderings of Event Centre in OP (+ new ext. renders in post #704)

[You Need a Thneed]

Reading this made me realize that I basically have no clue what nearly every other arena looks like from the outside.

So I looked some up, particularly some Canadian ones…

It’s safe to say that our arena will be among to better looking ones.

[The Yen Man]

I think it's a good point that often gets missed that how the building looks at street level, as well as functionality of it inside is way more important than a fancy aerial shot. The more I see the renders, the more I like it.

I am totally on board with this project, and am excited to see when shovels finally hit the ground.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

The oilers arena looks like it was designed to look good from an aerial shot. It doesn’t look great from the street - which is where it’s experienced from 99.99% of the time.

Rogers Place looks like an inflamed scrotum from the air. Look at Google Maps, turn on satellite view.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Reading this made me realize that I basically have no clue what nearly every other arena looks like from the outside.

So I looked some up, particularly some Canadian ones…

It’s safe to say that our arena will be among to better looking ones.

Also, even the good-looking arenas are usually only good from one or two angles.

Yesterday, Ryan Pike did a good summary of the street level activation for all the buildings that have opened since the year 2000: https://flamesnation.ca/2021/11/18/s...na-engagement/


It's safe to say, the new building will do a better job than most.

[sureLoss]

Perhaps focus on an iconic building should be whatever goes up on the Saddledome land, if and when the Stampede decides to develop it.

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Perhaps focus on an iconic building should be whatever goes up on the Saddledome land, if and when the Stampede decides to develop it.

Isn't that just going to be parking/fairgrounds?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Isn't that just going to be parking/fairgrounds?

That is the plan for now, but eventually I think that land gets developed.

[getbak]

The Saddledome space seems like a perfect place for an outdoor stage/amphitheater to replace the Coke Stage and be available for a summer concert series.

If they did that, I think it would be nice if they could put a partial cover over the venue that mimicked the Saddledome roofline as a tribute. I'm thinking something similar to what they have in Millennium Park in Chicago.

[calgarywinning]

Originally Posted by Muta

Rogers Place looks like an inflamed scrotum from the air. Look at Google Maps, turn on satellite view.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

Tried this out. Looks more like a chat bubble waiting for the words "Edmonton = No Good"

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Isn't that just going to be parking/fairgrounds?

My understanding is there will be a hotel placed there eventually. Not sure where I heard that. I have been in a lot of meetings with CS, CMLC and CESC and someone mentioned it.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by Muta

Rogers Place looks like an inflamed scrotum from the air. Look at Google Maps, turn on satellite view.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

It looks like dollar store Zaha Hadid.
It looks okay right now, but it's going to look ultra dated in 10 years.

[Jay's Beagle]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

My understanding is there will be a hotel placed there eventually. Not sure where I heard that. I have been in a lot of meetings with CS and CESC and someone mentioned.

The purposed spot for the hotel is the parking lot North of BMO halls D & E or West of Cowboys if that makes it easier.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Jay's Beagle

The purposed spot for the hotel is the parking lot North of BMO halls D & E or West of Cowboys if that makes it easier.

In addition to this hotel. I believe this was the plan to meet the requirements of the Rotary Convention in 2025. I could have misheard, but I was aware of the proposed hotel at 309 12 Avenue SE when I was made aware of the proposed hotel for the Saddledome site.

Edit: And as David Down (Architect, Chief Urban Designer) suggested in the Planning Commission meeting that south of the event centre is planned festival plaza space with "adjacent planned possible hotel space."

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

It looks like dollar store Zaha Hadid.
It looks okay right now, but it's going to look ultra dated in 10 years.

I’ll go ahead and say it- it looks ultra dated already.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by Muta

Rogers Place looks like an inflamed scrotum from the air. Look at Google Maps, turn on satellite view.



Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

Looks like a mullet. A modern arena built in Edmonton still can't, like their fans, escape the 80's.

[getbak]

Appropriate advertising at Rogers Place: https://goo.gl/maps/hzc9DEjaGpmi2zcq6

[The Familia]

Originally Posted by chummer

Everything has looked liked trash for you.

You've got an axe to grind, that's for sure.

I didn't realize being ultra critical of a very important piece of civic infrastructure was a crime. Maybe I care too much about this city and the facilities within it. I have high expectations of the city I was born in and only want the best for it. I have praised and find lots of the architecture of this city to be impressive (library, BMO expansion, Telus Sky, The Bow, etc). I'm not the only person who dislikes the arena. You will find many others who are just as critical as myself.

I will admit I do have an axe to grind with the Flames ownership. If this were 100% privately paid for and built I would not even say a word. They could build whatever they want. The fact it is being subsidized by the public allows it to be open to scrutiny. I don't have a problem with public money going towards an arena. I do have a problem with the Flames ownership and how they conduct business.

I have an issue with ownership sticking their nose in municipal politics over the years. I don't like how they have conducted business regarding the arena over the past decade. What does it say when the majority owner of the team has fled the city but wants taxpayer money? I still can't believe they came up with that embarrassing Calgary Next idea.

I have a major problem with the Flames demanding CMLC be dropped as the project manager. I also have a problem with the Flames managing the project themselves and getting first dibs on developing some of the surrounding land when they have zero experience in city building or development. We all know ownership is cheap and that the probability of cost cutting and value engineering the arena is extremely high.

I'm also disappointed the arena is not containing a public community rink like Edmonton. What makes it worse is that a parkade is being attached directly to the arena where that community rink could have been built. I can't think of any other arenas that have an above grade parkade attached to them. Why couldn't the team build an underground parkade or a new one across the street in some of the adjacent land?

Design is subjective so there is no arguing over the appearance of the building. I think the pedestrian realm will be much improved and I look forward to walking down Olympic Avenue after this is built. I do really like the West side of the arena and think it looks simple but classy. The rest is a mess of materials in my opinion. I think the designers had some of the right ideas but have failed in their execution due to either cost or following what the Flames want. I still maintain if the parkade was scrapped (along with the potential secondary rink) they would have had a lot more room and even more money to enhance the actual arena. After looking at the plans I can't help but feel the parkade is taking up a massive amount of space that could have been better utilized either in concourse sizing or arena layout. The design seems hemmed in due to the undersized lot and lack of space.

These are my final thoughts on the arena. It's approved and ready to go. I hope I'm wrong and this turns out amazing. I want this city to have an excellent arena. I will happily eat crow if this turns out better than expected. I only hope that those who are criticizing me will admit they were wrong if the arena comes out flawed or value engineered.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by The Familia

I have an issue with ownership sticking their nose in municipal politics over the years. I don't like how they have conducted business regarding the arena over the past decade. What does it say when the majority owner of the team has fled the city but wants taxpayer money? I still can't believe they came up with that embarrassing Calgary Next idea.


I'm also disappointed the arena is not containing a public community rink like Edmonton. What makes it worse is that a parkade is being attached directly to the arena where that community rink could have been built. I can't think of any other arenas that have an above grade parkade attached to them. Why couldn't the team build an underground parkade or a new one across the street in some of the adjacent land?

I agree with some but not all of these comments.

If municipal politics was limited to how often to pick up the garbage and when to clean the streets then fine, but cities and municipalities have taken on for themselves such a dominant role in engineering our lives, how and where to live, and are routinely involved with and frequently try to control the private sector, that I have no problem with the push back they received.

I do agree with the comment about scrapping the community rink. Very unfortunate.

As to design, for me its all about three things - accessibility (how do I get there, where do I park etc.), surrounding businesses and amenities (where can we go and what can we do before and after events) and most importantly, interior design (the experience inside).

Its unfortunate but not surprising that the slope of the seating bowl, particularly the lower sections, will result in inferior sight lines to what we have now in the Saddledome. The distance from most seats to centre ice in the Dome is much shorter than in most buildings. The sight lines in the Saddledome might be the best in the NHL.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Muta

Rogers Place looks like an inflamed scrotum from the air. Look at Google Maps, turn on satellite view.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

How do you know this?

ETA: never mind.

[Jimmy Stang]

The East side has improved somewhat in more recent renderings, but I'm still quite disappointed with the SE corner and parkade. To me this is the "flags on the shoulders" of the new arena - poorly executed and we'll be stuck with it for a really long time.

I'm sure that it all comes down to cost in keeping it above ground, and you've got to have the docks somewhere, but it still could've been done better and with a little more respect for the eventual neighbourhood around it.