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

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by macrov

Too hard to party after the games. I would have to cab from downtown to the game, then after the game cab from the NE to 17th ave or 1st street, and then cab home. Or drive to the game, stay sober, then park downtown, party, cab home, then come back the next day for my car. Pffffff.

If its downtown, you get off work, grab dinner and drinks. Then go to game and have more drinks. Then walk to post game drinks. Then jump in a cab and go home.

I see your point, however, the train runs right there, it's 2 stops from downtown!

[T@T]

Originally Posted by macrov

Too hard to party after the games. I would have to cab from downtown to the game, then after the game cab from the NE to 17th ave or 1st street, and then cab home. Or drive to the game, stay sober, then park downtown, party, cab home, then come back the next day for my car. Pffffff.

If its downtown, you get off work, grab dinner and drinks. Then go to game and have more drinks. Then walk to post game drinks. Then jump in a cab and go home.

Theres a C-train right there, 5 mins to downtown.

The reason Fire Park is brought up is because the land is owned by a flames owner. I personally think it's a second option if the city plays hardball.

[macrov]

Originally Posted by T@T

Theres a C-train right there, 5 mins to downtown.

The reason Fire Park is brought up is because the land is owned by a flames owner. I personally think it's a second option if the city plays hardball.

I did not know this. That said, there was something very special about walking with 10 000 flames faithful from the dome to the red mile on that playoff run. One of the best memories of my life...I wouldn't want to ruin that for future fans

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by macrov

I did not know this. That said, there was something very special about walking with 10 000 flames faithful from the dome to the red mile on that playoff run. One of the best memories of my life...I wouldn't want to ruin that for future fans

I'm betting that the neighborhood surrounding would change in a big way in the 3-5yrs it would take to build a new house!

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by macrov

Where is that?

Here is a map of the area for those unfamiliar. It does have pretty good access routes in and out. However, I think the Flames would prefer to stay in the actual downtown. This is very close to downtown, but not close enough to walk. I think the arena would probably be best downtown where people can walk to and from other places. However, if the plan is to have a bunch of restaurants and other amenities, perhaps situating it JUST outside of downtown would keep more people there spending money.

http://wikimapia.org/9739543/The-Firepark

[EYE_Overstand]

Is Balzac really an option? If that is does come to fruition then I will give up my season tickets.

I think, like everyone else, the best location is the big Four area. What is that building even used for? And with the casino, and convention center... Why the F would they (city/ flames) not strike a deal.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

Is Balzac really an option? If that is does come to fruition then I will give up my season tickets.

I think, like everyone else, the best location is the big Four area. What is that building even used for? And with the casino, and convention center... Why the F would they (city/ flames) not strike a deal.

No, it isn't.

Not to worry!

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

Is Balzac really an option? If that is does come to fruition then I will give up my season tickets.

I think, like everyone else, the best location is the big Four area. What is that building even used for? And with the casino, and convention center... Why the F would they (city/ flames) not strike a deal.

If the new arena is on stampede property, I believe that the stampede board collects all parking $$, but the flames pay no property tax.

If this is correct, it's very dependent on whether tax cost+location is greater than parking revenue.

Correct me if I am wrong CP, please.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Muta

West Village, Big Four Building site, North Stampede (just west of the bus barns) and the Fire Park.

Pretty sure, by now, they know which site they want.

Can you tell us which one? Or even just a hint at which way they are leaning?

Also, thanks for all the info Muta. Much appreciated.

[Joborule]

Most likely West Village, because it'll have the space for the Flames to make the two new venues, plus more such as commercial, retail, & residential; making it possible for Flames owners to gain profit from creating a regional district.

With that in mind, the Fire Park location is the most unlikely, and undesirable. Even if they were to attempt to make a district there, it's distant from downtown; so return would be less since consumers would be less inclined to visit the area, and spend within it before and after the games.

[PeteMoss]

Regarding MLS - the league prefers teams to have their own stadiums, not shared. The Stamps would need a bigger capacity than an MLS team and they don't want boat loads of empty seats (or tarped or curtained off seats as they have in Vancouver and Seattle).

Only four teams in the league play in non-soccer specific stadiums right now.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Regarding MLS - the league prefers teams to have their own stadiums, not shared. The Stamps would need a bigger capacity than an MLS team and they don't want boat loads of empty seats (or tarped or curtained off seats as they have in Vancouver and Seattle).

Only four teams in the league play in non-soccer specific stadiums right now.

They seem to be bending on that, big time.

BMO is going to become a shared facility.

BBVA Compass is now a shared facility.

I think the MLS has realized their mandate is more to have stadiums that provide a good experience for watching and playing soccer. If you can do that and share with someone else, go for it.

I also love the Euro-snobbery in here. MLS has come a long, long way. The bottom end talent, which is improving, still needs to get better to compare to many European leagues, but the top end is easily competitive with many European second divisions.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Can you tell us which one? Or even just a hint at which way they are leaning?

Also, thanks for all the info Muta. Much appreciated.

You're welcome dude.

Can't say right now, but take all things into consideration when guessing - including non-ticket revenue.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Joborule

With that in mind, the Fire Park location is the most unlikely, and undesirable. Even if they were to attempt to make a district there, it's distant from downtown; so return would be less since consumers would be less inclined to visit the area, and spend within it before and after the games.

I believe the ground is contaminated with asbestos there, is it not?

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Muta

You're welcome dude.

Can't say right now, but take all things into consideration when guessing - including non-ticket revenue.

Do any of the owners have a stake in environmental reclamation companies?

Would surely help West Village and Firepark's chances.

Do the environmental impacts force the Flames to involve more government parties, and thus delaying things?

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Regarding MLS - the league prefers teams to have their own stadiums, not shared. The Stamps would need a bigger capacity than an MLS team and they don't want boat loads of empty seats (or tarped or curtained off seats as they have in Vancouver and Seattle).

Only four teams in the league play in non-soccer specific stadiums right now.

At the end of the day, money and a brand new stadium talks.

We're talking about the MLS here for chrissakes.. not the NFL.

[You Need a Thneed]

Pros and Cons of 4 options Muta listed:

West Village, Big Four Building site, North Stampede (just west of the bus barns) and the Fire Park.

West Village
Google Maps location

Pros:
Close to downtown
Larger area to work with
Right beside Sunalta LRT Station
Area is ready to redevelop
Good traffic access via Bow Trail

Cons:
Environmental cleanup required
Surrounding area not too "supportive" yet.
Not great access to Deerfoot
River and CP Rail tracks are barriers to walkability.
May require reconstruction of Bow Trail & Bow/Crow interchange & Bow/14th interchange


Big Four Site:
Google Maps Location

Pros:
Close to the action, right downtown
Stampede Parking available.
Area "familiarity"
Really close to LRT - potential underground LRT right inside arena.
Easy traffic access to McLeod Trail


Cons:
Stampede owns parking
Stampede would have shortage of space during years of construction.
May require complete shutdown of South LRT line to put it underground.


North Stampede:
Google Maps Location

Pros:
Lots of land to do with what they want.
Close to other cultural buildings (NMC, library)
East Village on verge of exploding with supportive uses.
Stampede Trail development would be very supportive too.
Very close to future SELRT - potentially could have station inside building.
City is already planning parkade just on the north side of CPR tracks.

Cons:
Not directly on a major road - worst road access of the options
Would likely require a 6th St underpass of the CPR tracks.
SELRT not built yet, until it's done, this option is furthest away from LRT.


Firepark:
Google Maps Location

Pros:
Good access to Deerfoot, Memorial, Barlow - best option for road access.
Close to LRT (Barlow MaxBell Station) - could integrate building into underground tunnel access.

Cons:
Least potential for supportive surrounding area.
Environmental cleanup required
Furthest away from downtown
Least walkable of all options, by far.
Might take decades to redevelop around it.

[troutman]

Who wants to take that long shot gamble
And head out to Fire Park
Head out
Who wants to go to Fire Park
And head out
Who wants to go to Fire Park
Head out
Out to Fire Park
Who's gonna do it

[Muta]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Pros and Cons of 4 options Muta listed:

Keep in mind there are other potential locations too. I'm not sure exactly which one has been selected, but as far as I know, these are the four sites being considered. There could be a fifth option as well that I am unaware of.

[Tyler]

If the Flames are pushing for the entertainment centre/hotels/convention area they need to make building a sports entertainment district financially viable, I don't see how it could be anywhere BUT the West Village