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Time to move into the baseball stadiums?


DoyleG

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Given that we ain't going to get the stadiums we need for teams in the future. It would be nice to look at the stadiums that can be used.

Telus Field, Edmonton

http://members.aol.com/charliezeb/stadiums/telus.htm

Burns Stadium, Calgary

http://members.aol.com/charliezeb/stadiums/calgary.htm

Ottawa Stadium, Ottawa

http://members.aol.com/charliezeb/stadiums/ottawa.htm

Even though we know that baseball will be using it for some time, these stadiums are owned (in whole or part) by the city. Another source of revenue would certainly appeal to them.

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There have been rumblings in the media about turning Lynx Stadium into a multi-purpose facility if the baseball team leaves (which sadly seems like a matter of time now) but I'm worried part of that would include artificial turf. That might improve Ottawa's chances for the A-League but wouldn't help for attracting the national team. It might end up looking a bit like a mini-Exhibition Stadium (of Toronto). Not ideal but beggars can't be choosers.

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In Theory Doyle, It would be a great idea but sightline for Soccer would be brutal unless they add 2000, maybe 3000 retractable seats from the left field at Telus Field and it may have the looks of an intimate soccer stadium. As for the Field, It probably will have to be Fieldturf, Astroplay or Momentum Turf because when the trappers leave, Telus Field will be another white elephant.

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I've been thinking for a while that Ottawa's JetForm park would make a great venue for an A-League team. At a minimum, all they'd have to do is take out the pitcher's mound and paint in some soccer lines, although I'd obviously prefer it if they could cover the dirt in the infield with temporary grass during soccer matches (cost permitting). However, infield dirt won't be an issue if/when the baseball Lynx leave town (regrettably, I agree that this is just a matter of time).

Other than the fact that it is currently configured for baseball, it's a great little stadium. Modern, professional facilities, lots of parking, right on highway 417 so it's easy to get to from anywhere in the city and not too large to make a soccer crowd seem tiny.

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Ottawa is going PDL next year. They'll play were the W-league team plays (2500). I think Calgary and Edmonton should go the PDL route. Build a fan base, fill a small venue and when daddy warbucks arrives move to a bigger place and fund an A-league budget.

live within you means. or die like the aviators did.

The Impact may the only team in Canada, besides the White Caps that actually have an established fan base that would make a move to a bigger stadium logical. I'd love to see the Impact play it's play-offs at Molson Stadium and draw 15K.

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quote:Originally posted by G-Man

I'd love to see the Impact play it's play-offs at Molson Stadium and draw 15K.

That's a good idea, I can see them easily attracting 14-15 thousand. It could bring in some extra revenue, and will obviously be a step up from the Claude Roubillard Stadium. Also, Molson has a central location, which gives easier access to all Montrealers.

At the moment, if the trend continues, CCR will be bursting the seams sooner than later.

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quote:Originally posted by massimo

That's a good idea, I can see them easily attracting 14-15 thousand. It could bring in some extra revenue, and will obviously be a step up from the Claude Roubillard Stadium. Also, Molson has a central location, which gives easier access to all Montrealers.

At the moment, if the trend continues, CCR will be bursting the seams sooner than later.

It would be bad IMO to move there for the playoffs. One of the biggest benefits of home field advantage is the comfort and familiarity with the suroundings. I would think that moving there at such an important time would lessen that advantge and favour the visitors

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quote:Originally posted by Free kick

It would be bad IMO to move there for the playoffs. One of the biggest benefits of home field advantage is the comfort and familiarity with the suroundings. I would think that moving there at such an important time would lessen that advantge and favour the visitors

Well, if you look at the CFL, the Montreal Alouettes did it due to a U2 concert at the Big O'...and look at them now. Every game is a sellout!

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quote:Originally posted by DoyleG

Edmonton and Calgary will have baseball tennants for next season. Both cities will be getting Northern League squads.

That is true however, The Northern League will only bring less than 60 dates to the stadium as PCL brings over 70....Personally I would like to see retractable/portable seating by the left feild so it could resemble a decent park but that takes$$$$ and I can't see that happening I am afraid.

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quote:Well, if you look at the CFL, the Montreal Alouettes did it due to a U2 concert at the Big O'...and look at them now. Every game is a sellout!

I'm with Free Kick here. As for the Alouettes, do you really thinbk moving from the Big Owe's astroturf to McGills astroturf was hard for the football team. Two different sports buddy.

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quote: think Calgary and Edmonton should go the PDL route.

Uh yeah, that was done already in Calgary, maybe you missed it, they went to the PDL finals in their first season. Attracted ok (2k - 3k) crowds on a regular basis, made the jump, and the sh*t show that followed in the next season in the A-League bankrupted the team.

Good plan in theory though. ;)

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quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead

I'm with Free Kick here. As for the Alouettes, do you really thinbk moving from the Big Owe's astroturf to McGills astroturf was hard for the football team. Two different sports buddy.

Both Astroturf at the time of the move.

And the Impact practice every day at the Catalogna Soccerplexe which is... drum roll please... Fieldturf!

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I bet the "feildturf" (not astroturf) at Molson (without a crown down the middle) is probably a better surface than CCR. And these guys aren't college kids phased by unfamiliar settings. And if they are they can go back to the CIS.

The hometown crowd would still be behind them.

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quote:Both Astroturf at the time of the move.

Thats what I said.

quote: I bet the "feildturf" (not astroturf) at Molson

At the time of the Alouettes move to McGill it was Astroturf. I know it's now FieldTurf, but we were talking about the past. Pay attention.

quote:And these guys aren't college kids phased by unfamiliar settings. And if they are they can go back to the CIS.

They are professionals that prefer to play on real grass just like all other professionals prefer to which is why you won't find many foreign teams coming over for friendlies on fieldturf.

You guys that think that moving to McGill is as simple as that and don't consider that it would be the Impact bearing the brunt of the cost of removing the football lines and ads make me laugh.

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quote:They are professionals that prefer to play on real grass just like all other professionals prefer to which is why you won't find many foreign teams coming over for friendlies on fieldturf.
By stating that you are saying the CCR's field is in better quality than Molson's Field turf. HAHA. Obviously you've never played on FieldTurf, and have not been to CCR! So you have no idea what your talking about.

I've been there in the heat of the summer, and its sad sight. They might as well play on asphalt.

BUT this is not the point!!!

quote:You guys that think that moving to McGill is as simple as that and don't consider that it would be the Impact bearing the brunt of the cost of removing the football lines and ads make me laugh.
It been done before, so it can be done again, its not rocket science, so they leave the ads on. SO what? that isn't much of a hurdle, sorry.

Massimo

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Ok, before KH jumps in and this becomes a yelling contest:

The field at CCR is really, really terrible. Fieldturf is a better surface than what is currently available at CCR. KH's probably been on FT a few times so let's not slam him.

As for Massimi mentionning "it's been done before", that's simply false. Currently, the Impact pay 0$ for CCR. No rent, no nothing. At Molson, on top of rent, they'd have to spend money to cover up the lines. HOWEVER, I believe that for a playoff game at Molson, by hiking the tickets 5$ and not doing giveaways (usually barely any in playoffs anyways), the Impact could at least break even and get a huge publicity push, as well as pressuring the city to redo CCR.

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Are the lines at Molson permament or painted on? At Lansdowne in Ottawa they are not. They can be hosed off.

And if the New Zealnd All- Blacks and a ton of clubs in Europe can use Feildturf for practices...And isn't Costa Rica using it for a WC game?

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quote: Ok, before KH jumps in and this becomes a yelling contest:

Whats that supposed to mean? Am I not supposed to participate?

quote: KH's probably been on FT a few times so let's not slam him.

Sure I've been on FieldTurf, but thats not the point. I'm not saying it's worse, better or made of magical beans. What I am saying is 1) The teams been playing on grass all season long. They are used to it's nuances and are familiar with it. Moving to McGill for the playoffs removes any home field advantage as it would be a new surface for both teams. 2) There's a reason Saputo likes CCR. They are the main tenant, it's grass, and there's no cost of removing football lines and ads.

quote:I believe that for a playoff game at Molson, by hiking the tickets 5$ and not doing giveaways (usually barely any in playoffs anyways), the Impact could at least break even and get a huge publicity push

Or you might find exactly how many people are going to games solely because of freebies and heavily discounted tickets. It might backfire. Actually now that I think about it, I'd like them to do that so we can all see. Lets push for the playoff game to be at McGill!

quote:

It been done before, so it can be done again, its not rocket science, so they leave the ads on. SO what? that isn't much of a hurdle, sorry.

It costs money and is a pain in the ass. Why bother when you don't have to?

quote: Are the lines at Molson permament or painted on? At Lansdowne in Ottawa they are not. They can be hosed off.

Yeah, right. You make it sound like a little water will wash them off. I've seen games in downpours at Frank Clair and the lines aren't coming off. It takes a little work and cost to wash them off.

Also, its "I" before "E" except after "C" and sometimes "Y".

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Just wanted to stay on the issue, Khead, no offence intended.

Playoff games usually don't see freebies because freebies are given way in advance and the playoffs are not known ahead of time. The director of ticketing has confirmed this. That's why we knew at the beginning of the year that the Vancouver game would be a huge game for the crowd.

As for grass v fieldturf. While this might be true for our national team pros in Europe who play on grass, the Impact players train everyday on FT and it would provide probably a better home advantage against a team which never sees that kind of surface. Add to that the steepness of the stands at McGill and it's much more hostile and intimidating, especially if they can kind-of fill it.

Something's gotta give: the Impact won't stay eternally in a CCR with added temp bleachers.

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