Ken King will be on FAN960 this morning (8-9 AM)

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

For sure. But the point here is that even with high cost labour in Alberta, a project of the scale that King intimated is still with the range of $0.8–1.0 b., though more likely on the higher end.

For sure

[Finger Cookin]

Man, that area around the Staples Center and convention center is already so awesome. A stadium there to boot would be amazing.

[Tyler]

You guys are inferring that the Flames owners still need to purchase the land.

They already own it. It's in the West Village.

[Finger Cookin]

Source?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by habernac

Philly

The Spectrum is still standing in that picture. It's been replaced by Xfinity Live, which is a big complex with a bunch of restaurants and bars.

[iggyformayor]

I've posted this before in the other Arena thread, but my FIL golfs with the new owners of the Phoenix (Arizona) Coyotes and in conversations they've had with Flames ownership, the new facilities will be built in the West Village and include both a Hockey Arena and Football stadium, along with restaurants, hotels, etc.

[Table 5]

I've been to a game in Philly in that complex, and I wasn't that crazy about the experience (and not just because Philly has bar-none the ugliest and surliest fans of any team on the planet). While it was nice to have train access close by, it felt like you were going out to a game at some Power Center in the middle of nowhere. I like it better when stadiums are more integrated into the community, and you are surrounded by a variety of nightlife/restaurant options, and not just some development-aproved franchises.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've been to a game in Philly in that complex, and I wasn't that crazy about the experience (and not just because Philly has bar-none the ugliest and surliest fans of any team on the planet). While it was nice to have train access close by, it felt like you were going out to a game at some Power Center in the middle of nowhere. I like it better when stadiums are more integrated into the community, and you are surrounded by a variety of nightlife/restaurant options, and not just some development-aproved franchises.

I've only been there once, went to a couple of ball games at the old Vet. We made the mistake, being from out of town, to book a hotel close to the stadium. One of our party was asked if she was "a day guest or a night guest". Classy hotel! Definitely a sketchy neighbourhood.

[saillias]

Why do the Flames have to build a massive entertainment complex? I just want a new facility.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by saillias

Why do the Flames have to build a massive entertainment complex? I just want a new facility.

You should give them the $450M burning a hole in your pocket and tell them to get on that.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by saillias

Why do the Flames have to build a massive entertainment complex? I just want a new facility.

I think it is because they hope to possibly make a return of some kind on their investment, instead of just shovelling their money into a hole.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've been to a game in Philly in that complex, and I wasn't that crazy about the experience (and not just because Philly has bar-none the ugliest and surliest fans of any team on the planet). While it was nice to have train access close by, it felt like you were going out to a game at some Power Center in the middle of nowhere. I like it better when stadiums are more integrated into the community, and you are surrounded by a variety of nightlife/restaurant options, and not just some development-aproved franchises.

Whatever we get, I sure hope it won't just be an excuse to build a parking lot that two or three buildings can share.

[BigFlameDog]

I have never been there but wasn't someone speculating as to why they needed a big fancy train station over at Sunalta when there wasn't much there at the moment?

ah, who knows...

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think it is because they hope to possibly make a return of some kind on their investment, instead of just shovelling their money into a hole.

If it's just a matter of their profit margins that makes total sense, I was just thinking in terms of this trend to have these massive revitalization projects, it seems unnecessary for Calgary. I guess I'm naïve.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by saillias

If it's just a matter of their profit margins that makes total sense, I was just thinking in terms of this trend to have these massive revitalization projects, it seems unnecessary for Calgary. I guess I'm naïve.

It's ALWAYS a matter of profit margins. Mult-million dollar corporations and conglomerates do not make substantial investments for the sake of being trendy.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Weitz

A football stadium and hockey rink fairly close would be really cool.

If any of you have been to Seattle, I am a huge fan of how they have SafeCo field and Centurylink field pretty much across the street from each other!

Same thing in Anaheim. Cool concept for sure. I don't even care about CFL football much but a new stadium would definitely get me out to a few games.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

I have never been there but wasn't someone speculating as to why they needed a big fancy train station over at Sunalta when there wasn't much there at the moment?

ah, who knows...

That was the first step of the development IMO.

I also wouldn't be surprised if when they announce the rink they also announce the redevelopment of the Crowchild, Bow Trail interchange.

This post from Getbak from a past thread probably sums up the whole idea the best.

Originally Posted by getbak

3. West Village -- Greyhound Depot and GSL Chev-City


This is the area directly west of 14th St and bound by the two halves of Bow Trail. The city owns most, if not all, of this land already and has long-term plans to redevelop it as the West Village.

It would be very difficult to put a football stadium into this space with a North-South field orientation. The stadium really only fits if the field were run East-West. The North-South orientation is preferred because it doesn't force one team to play into the sun during the game. Ivor Wynn Stadium in Hamilton is currently the only E-W oriented stadium in the CFL (McMahon is angled slightly to the NW and Taylor Field is angled even more to the NW), but even it is rumored to be getting re-aligned during its reconstruction next year. The stadium in Ottawa also has an E-W orientation, which won't be changed when it re-opens in the future.


3. West Village -- Greyhound, GSL, Renfrew Chrysler


This is the same West Village area, but expanded to include the space currently occupied by Renfrew Chrysler. This would allow for the football stadium to go on the Renfrew space with a field orientation similar to McMahon's.

This would be a drastic change to the City's West Village plans (http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/LUPP/Docum...illage-arp.pdf), but might make more sense in the long-term. The land in this area is badly contaminated because there was a wood treatment plant there for decades, then the car dealerships moved in. Cleaning it up to the point where it's safe for people to live might be impossible, and even if it isn't, it will be extremely expensive.

From a transportation point of view, it's well located. The new Sunalta C-Train station is right there, and Crowchild and 14th St are both nearby.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Muta

It'll be a game changer, that's for sure.

This actually concerns me. SkyDome was a game changer too, but I don't feel like it has aged as well as other stadiums built since. I would hate to see this game changer feel obsolete in 25 years,

Originally Posted by RM14

something more along the lines of what Moscow is building

I would love something like that.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

This actually concerns me. SkyDome was a game changer too, but I don't feel like it has aged as well as other stadiums built since. I would hate to see this game changer feel obsolete in 25 years,

Don't worry, you needn't be concerned.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Muta

Don't worry, you needn't be concerned.

I'm sure Rod Robbie would have said the same about SkyDome too though

But even it it goes that way I am still excited and can't wait to get some concrete information.