Published on May 30, 2010 1:11 PM
If there was one person granted decision making authority on the design, maybe there would be a chance it could at least meet their approval. As it is, architectural decisions have to meet the aesthetics of the designer’s vision (modern aspects to stadium and new development), provide necessary revenue streams and adhere to other restrictions. Widening the sight lines to the Aberdeen Pavilion and leaving the Horticulture Building where it is for the sake of history all have ramifications to the project. I think this says it best:
It all goes back to money. This being Ottawa, we want a new stadium and Civic Centre but we don’t want to lay out the cash.
If I was the developers, I would take the $125 million scheduled for the project, construct the new stadium design and leave the rest of the site asphalt and let the city design and pay for it as well as the ongoing operating costs. The rent for the football team, Ottawa ‘67’s (and any USL team) could then be $0 for the next 50 years. That would please those who don’t want any commercial development on Lansdowne Park space. The city would seed it all to grass with a few shrubs for $5 million and there still wouldn’t be any use for the Aberdeen Pavilion or Horticulture Building. Figure it out and see which is the better deal.
Published on May 30, 2010 12:45 PM
A profile story on the background of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment partners Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, Bill Shenkman and Jeff Hunt recounts how they got together to bring football back to Ottawa. The stadium project was literally forced upon them when the city refused in 2007 to enter into a lease agreement for 10 games a year due to the $100 million cost to fix the stadium.
This has resulted in a much broader plan to revitalize the whole park which will provide a stronger attraction for football and other events at Lansdowne. Ottawa should be thankful there are private citizens with the desire and capacity to commit to this project. Every city has to take the private/public opportunities that present themselves to build something for the community.
Published on May 26, 2010 8:47 PM
No details until it is ratified by both the players association membership and Board of Governors, though it does include a drug testing policy. It will be interesting to see the terms of the deal and when components, including drug testing, kick in.
Published on May 21, 2010 9:45 PM
Topping off the week’s stadium news, Winnipeg held the ground breaking ceremony for the University of Manitoba campus stadium yesterday. CFL commissioner Mark Cohon was in attendance and addressed the crowd.
Coverage included a comparison between this and the last time Winnipeg built a stadium, the legal challenges facing the stadium and a long-time fan’s viewpoint.
Published on May 21, 2010 12:00 AM
At least some of the issues with such a plan are explored. I still can’t see, even with all sides on board, the political will and finances all in line tomorrow, how this could be pulled off.
Published on May 20, 2010 11:50 PM
My favourites are designs A and B while D and E are the least appealing to my taste although all designs bring something to the table.
Coverage can be found on the design release, initial response from local community organizations and answers to front lawn design competition questions.
Published on May 19, 2010 10:05 PM
A gem from last week. Jan Carinci, former Argo, on the only CFL game in 2010 on natural turf being held at Stade Moncton 2010 Stadium. I will forgive him for doubling the number of games in the season (for the record it is nine home games times eight teams equals 72 games). The man in charge of the field has been working on the turf before it was seeded 18 months ago.
Published on May 19, 2010 8:15 PM
With the release of park designs and developer proposals coming up in the next week, interest is picking up on Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park again.
Also out today is information on the front lawn grading process, changes to Queen Elizabeth Driveway that may be considered by designs and requirements of the designs.
Published on May 19, 2010 8:05 PM
Glowing words from Hamilton councillors for Michael Fenn, appointed mediator on the Hamilton Pan-Am Stadium location.
Meanwhile, Bob Young explains the risks to the Ti-Cats if there is no new stadium. I note that Young is clear the Ti-Cats will be tenants only, though they are tasked with contributing and raising the expected $50 million or more to increase the stadium size to 25,000 or more seats. Seems like a poor public-private partnership to me.
Published on May 14, 2010 10:16 PM
Earl McRae revisits the 1976 Grey Cup winning catch by Tony Gabriel after opening discussion on honouring Ottawa’s sports legends with statues.
Published on May 13, 2010 8:05 PM
Sounds like it will be a great festival. I am debating whether to plan a November week trip and get tickets June 1 when they are available to the nation.
Published on May 11, 2010 8:50 PM
Bob Young calls for a facilitator to accelerate a mutually agreeable solution to the stadium location. It is still expected to take longer than the May 17th deadline to ratify the location, but no one seems worried about that deadline anymore. At least both sides are agreeing to what they have for common ground.
In a tactless move, The Hamilton Spectator also tried to establish how much Bob Young is worth. And this short article is worth it for a few thoughtful comments.
Published on May 11, 2010 8:34 PM
I think this is a great idea with both the art gallery and the developers on board to make this work, eliminating a large chunk of the commercial space. It mixes much nicer with residential on the same street or in the same building. I am now confident the plan being put together will pass council’s vote in June.
Published on May 11, 2010 8:23 PM
The $52.5 million figure may have included “luxury upgrades” but I think that was obvious, the stadium needed to be not only safe, but advanced to allow revenue growth. To let an opportunity for a new stadium pass by even if the old stadium required no immediate repairs would be silly. It is, after all, bridge financing. When David Asper defaults on the deal, then you can claim taxpayers are building the stadium.
Published on May 10, 2010 8:20 PM
No, not over the government, the economy or even the Senators. It is optimism that the Lansdowne design review panel will produce a winning plan.
Published on May 6, 2010 11:55 PM
Also more on Prime Time Sports, 5pm hour (listen to the Scott Mitchell interview and the last 9 minutes as well as the end of the 4pm hour for the complete picture). I hope Bob Young does not abandon the Ti-Cats over this.
Published on May 6, 2010 9:24 PM
An effective disassembly of any project as I’ve ever seen, Bob Young details the Ti-Cats’ issues with the West Harbour site economics. Here’s hoping the City of Hamilton will heed these arguments from a successful businessman. He shouldn’t have had to go public with this.
Published on May 5, 2010 11:15 PM
Missed this on the weekend. It is an exciting and interesting description of the stadium design, though I still believe 24,000 seats is too few. I would be trying to get at least 25,000 seats on the sidelines. (Note: Drawings appear to be taken down from this post, but you can see some on the Skyscraper forum.)
Published on May 4, 2010 4:44 PM
Funny it took two months after the Olympics to get started on this. I sure hope it is ready for the Lions to open next season.
Published on May 1, 2010 1:29 PM
I believe that the CFL‘s upswing in media interest is related not only to the increased popularity of the league, but also to new technologies, and the opportunities they bring to individuals to publish a message. This breaks the CFL out of the shadows compared to the days of big media corporations controlling the means to the message. Congratulations to Drew, Duane, Mark, Terry and all who are bringing the coverage to the fans.