[Vancity]

I was thinking about some designs of our architecture, and I'm pretty sure that we have some of the ugliest looking buildings/stadiums in north america. i was browsing, and came across the Sprint Center in Kansas City. they don't have any permanent tenants for their stadium (yet), but when I saw their stadium design, i was, needless to say, impressed. i wonder why we can't have anything that spectacular here in vancouver. wouldn't that be something. too bad the whitecaps won't be getting their own stadium, they could really do something awesome, like the sprint center (except for soccer configurations).

here are some pics:
http://images.wikia.com/openserving/sports/images/9/92/Sprint_Center_-3.jpg

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/Sprint%20Center%205.jpg

http://stateoftheline.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/sprintcenter.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

Yeah Sprint Centre is quite spectacular, like you said though too bad they dont have anyone to play in it :haha:

Don't write off the Whitecaps stadium just yet. It has suffered many setbacks but from what I have heard Kerfoot views BC Place as a temporary home and still has every intention to build a Whitecaps stadium somewhere within Vancouver proper.

[mr.x]

If Kerfoot calls BC Place as a temporary home, then personally I'm not sure if all those extensive renovations for the stadium are worth it.

[mrjauk]

If Kerfoot calls BC Place as a temporary home, then personally I'm not sure if all those extensive renovations for the stadium are worth it.

The stadium is not being renovated for the Whitecaps! Renovations would have to be done anyway. The Whitecaps participation at BC Place was never necessary for the renos to go through.

I hope that the 'Caps have their own stadium (with beautiful, natural grass) ready once the five-year term is up (if not sooner!).

[MistyMountainHop]

here are some pics:
http://images.wikia.com/openserving/sports/images/9/92/Sprint_Center_-3.jpg

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/Sprint%20Center%205.jpg

Why is the hockey scoreboard so much nicer than the basketball scoreboard?

[mr.x]

The stadium is not being renovated for the Whitecaps! Renovations would have to be done anyway. The Whitecaps participation at BC Place was never necessary for the renos to go through.

I hope that the 'Caps have their own stadium (with beautiful, natural grass) ready once the five-year term is up (if not sooner!).

Yes...i understand that renovations are needed in order for the stadium to stay around for a few more decades. But I'd hate for it to just sit empty....or at least, not to its real potential.

[agrant]

Yes...i understand that renovations are needed in order for the stadium to stay around for a few more decades. But I'd hate for it to just sit empty....or at least, not to its real potential.That's the way it has been with BC Place since the early 80s. The MLS season isn't a year round sport, closer to half a year. And it coincides with the CFL, so it has no sports team for most of the year regardless. As long as I don't feel my wallet getting lighter it doesn't bother me. It'll at least be a constant visual improvement on the skyline. No more upsidedown toilet bowl.

[Vancity]

That's the way it has been with BC Place since the early 80s. The MLS season isn't a year round sport, closer to half a year. And it coincides with the CFL, so it has no sports team for most of the year regardless. As long as I don't feel my wallet getting lighter it doesn't bother me. It'll at least be a constant visual improvement on the skyline. No more upsidedown toilet bowl.

That's why we need to bring MLB to this town ;) hehe...all kidding aside, it's too bad that we can't bring a permanent tenant to BC Place. MLB would be ideal, but we know that would never work anytime in our lifetime.

[Vancity]

Yeah Sprint Centre is quite spectacular, like you said though too bad they dont have anyone to play in it :haha:

Don't write off the Whitecaps stadium just yet. It has suffered many setbacks but from what I have heard Kerfoot views BC Place as a temporary home and still has every intention to build a Whitecaps stadium somewhere within Vancouver proper.

I thought the Whitecaps Stadium was all but over? They can't seem to negotiate the land with the Port. Where else are they planning on building their stadium? Would Surrey be a possibility? What about Burnaby? I can't see Kerfoot building in those areas...it doesn't really make a lot of sense. But where else in Vancouver can they build? I hope the Whitecaps stadium does get built. We really do need a third stadium in the city that can hold anywhere from 15,000-30,000 people.

[Distill3d]

That's why we need to bring MLB to this town ;) hehe...all kidding aside, it's too bad that we can't bring a permanent tenant to BC Place. MLB would be ideal, but we know that would never work anytime in our lifetime.

I must've been mistaken about where I bought my season tickets for the BC Lions then. I thought it was at BC Place, but I guess I'm wrong?

[LeftCoaster]

I thought the Whitecaps Stadium was all but over? They can't seem to negotiate the land with the Port. Where else are they planning on building their stadium? Would Surrey be a possibility? What about Burnaby? I can't see Kerfoot building in those areas...it doesn't really make a lot of sense. But where else in Vancouver can they build? I hope the Whitecaps stadium does get built. We really do need a third stadium in the city that can hold anywhere from 15,000-30,000 people.

Yes, the Whitecaps Stadium in its current iteration is all but dead, however Kerfoot has indicated he is still interested in building the stadium. Like I said before he is looking at Vancouver proper, not Surrey or Burnaby, and I would assume the stadium is still intended to be close to downtown. One possible location discussed was somewhere in the False Creek flats area, although it would clearly have significant re-zoning hurdles to get through.

There is still a remote possibility of a deal being worked out with the Port, although at this point the two parties are nowhere close to an agreement.

[djmk]

Yes...i understand that renovations are needed in order for the stadium to stay around for a few more decades. But I'd hate for it to just sit empty....or at least, not to its real potential.

unless i'm mistaken, BC place still has about 200 events a year. Its hardly going empty.

That's why we need to bring MLB to this town ;) hehe...all kidding aside, it's too bad that we can't bring a permanent tenant to BC Place. MLB would be ideal, but we know that would never work anytime in our lifetime.

BC Place was built to attract a MLB team.

[officedweller]

That's right, one set of stands can be removed for a skewed baseball diamond to be used in the stadium.

[agrant]

There has been an exhibition game or two in there before. I seem to recall the Seattle Mariners playing. Multi-purpose stadiums, like BC Place, don't really do the job that well compared to one designed specifically for baseball. Same is true for soccer to some degree.

[NetMapel]

My ideal Vancouver would be:
BC Place: CFL* and MLB
GM Place: NHL* and NBA
New SSS: MLS*

*Teams we already have

Please do that in my life time, thanks, Vancouver ;) We just need two more teams and a new SSS ;D

[mrjauk]

My ideal Vancouver would be:
BC Place: CFL* and MLB
GM Place: NHL* and NBA
New SSS: MLS*

*Teams we already have

Please do that in my life time, thanks, Vancouver ;) We just need two more teams and a new SSS ;D

Baseball in BC Place? No way! Baseball is meant to be played on grass under sunny skies. Compare the experience of a game at the SKydome (even when the roof is open) to one at Safeco Field and there is no comparison.

[Kodii]

Well... the roof WILL be open soon enough

[mr.x]

I don't think there's a market for MLB here, nor would we have the financial backing to support it.


And you can flame me all you want, but baseball is NOT A SPORT!

[Vancity]

I must've been mistaken about where I bought my season tickets for the BC Lions then. I thought it was at BC Place, but I guess I'm wrong?

HAHA...my bad. BC Lions are a permanent tenant of BC Place. Too bad we can't bring a second permanent tenant into BC Place. MLS won't be there forever - like others have said, only a temporary place until their stadium gets built.

[Vancity]

unless i'm mistaken, BC place still has about 200 events a year. Its hardly going empty.



BC Place was built to attract a MLB team.

Yeah, but look how that turned out...

[Vancity]

I don't think there's a market for MLB here, nor would we have the financial backing to support it.


And you can flame me all you want, but baseball is NOT A SPORT!

If the MLB team did well here in Vancouver, I wouldn't see why there wouldn't be a market for it. Your reasons why there would be a lack of financial backing for an MLB team?

[crazyjoeda]

Baseball sucks! There are a fair number of baseball players in Metro Vancouver, but I still doubt a team could draw a substantial fan base. Maybe its just the people I hang out with but it seems to me that baseball is one of the least popular sports around here. Personally I would have to be payed to waste my time at a game.

As for a new stadium for MLS. I love the idea of Waterfront Stadium, but realistically it is not necessary. Once BC Place is renovated it will be better for soccer than Quest Field in Seattle. BTW Quest Field doesn't use really grass either.

[agrant]

Baseball sucks! There are a fair number of baseball players in Metro Vancouver, but I still doubt a team could draw a substantial fan base. Maybe its just the people I hang out with but it seems to me that baseball is one of the least popular sports around here. Personally I would have to be payed to waste my time at a game.

As for a new stadium for MLS. I love the idea of Waterfront Stadium, but realistically it is not necessary. Once BC Place is renovated it will be better for soccer than Quest Field in Seattle. BTW Quest Field doesn't use really grass either.Well, sports is not necessary. But if we're going to have soccer long term in a stadium, it should be played on real grass. Period. Any hard core fan will tell you the same.

[NetMapel]

I don't think there's a market for MLB here, nor would we have the financial backing to support it.


And you can flame me all you want, but baseball is NOT A SPORT!

You make Ichiro sad :(

[Distill3d]

Baseball in BC Place? No way! Baseball is meant to be played on grass under sunny skies. Compare the experience of a game at the SKydome (even when the roof is open) to one at Safeco Field and there is no comparison.

I'm with you on that one, there is no comparison. I've been fortunate enough to see games at Fenway, Old Yankee Stadium, Safeco, Petco, and Rogers Center. I tell you, even during a rain delayed game, I'd take a game at Petco to a game at Rogers Center. :tup:

I don't think there's a market for MLB here, nor would we have the financial backing to support it.


And you can flame me all you want, but baseball is NOT A SPORT!

I'll disagree that there isn't a market here for baseball, especially with the growing number of major leaguers coming out of the region.

I will agree that baseball isn't a sport though.

[Vancity]

I'm with you on that one, there is no comparison. I've been fortunate enough to see games at Fenway, Old Yankee Stadium, Safeco, Petco, and Rogers Center. I tell you, even during a rain delayed game, I'd take a game at Petco to a game at Rogers Center. :tup:



I'll disagree that there isn't a market here for baseball, especially with the growing number of major leaguers coming out of the region.

I will agree that baseball isn't a sport though.

I don't understand why people view baseball as not a sport. It's just as much a sport as Golf.

[LeftCoaster]

Who said golf was a sport?

[mr.x]

I play golf, and even I'll admit it's not a sport...more like a game. Sure, you do some swinging and tapping and some walking...but no, not a sport.

[Distill3d]

I don't understand why people view baseball as not a sport. It's just as much a sport as Golf.

you just made the best point ever for baseball not being a sport.

[Vancity]

you just made the best point ever for baseball not being a sport.

How would you define a sport, then? What is the difference between a game and a sport? Couldn't a sport be considered a "game"? Personally, I see baseball as a sport, and golf as well. They may not be as demanding physically as say american football, soccer, or even hockey or basketball - but I think it's still a sport.

[Spork]

Lawn bowling and croquet are also sports as well, then.

[Pinion]

Sports must require sustained, demanding physical activity to qualify as far as I'm concerned. That eliminates baseball, golf, poker, and NASCAR. (turning left is not a physical activity)

[jlousa]

As much as I don't like Nascar and agree it's not really a sport, the drivers are incredible atheletes and lose up to 20lbs in the course of a race.

Think it's easier if we just break it down as follows, if you like it then it's a sport, if you hate it then it's not a sport. :cheers:

[CBeats]

Agreed, NASCAR is 100% not a sport. And by your logic, Ultimate is a sport. Yay! Finally...

[Vancity]

Agreed, NASCAR is 100% not a sport. And by your logic, Ultimate is a sport. Yay! Finally...

That's true. Ultimate would be a sport.

Baseball is a tough sport. How many games do they play in a course of a season? The fielders have to cover a huge field. It's not easy hitting a small ball that flys by you at like 90 miles per hour (it's not easy throwing a ball that fast either).The games have no time limit, so can you imagine if two teams were tied, and they played for hours? that's not easy. I'd say running around, throwing pitches, etc, that's pretty demanding physically. You got to train for that.

[Spork]

True. If Baseball wasn't physically demanding, steroids would yield no advantage. :P

[teriyaki]

Frisbee Golf anyone?:yuck:

[Distill3d]

Sports must require sustained, demanding physical activity to qualify as far as I'm concerned. That eliminates baseball, golf, poker, and NASCAR. (turning left is not a physical activity)

I agree with your definition, but I would consider any form of auto racing a sport, more so than Soccer or Hockey. As jlousa said, drivers lose anywhere between 5 - 20lbs during a race, and are in better physical condition than any other athlete I could think of.

I would however, eliminate Baseball, Golf, Poker, Bowling, Billiards, and though I enjoy it, Curling. I consider any of those an activity.

[agrant]

I agree with your definition, but I would consider any form of auto racing a sport, more so than Soccer or Hockey. As jlousa said, drivers lose anywhere between 5 - 20lbs during a race, and are in better physical condition than any other athlete I could think of.

I would however, eliminate Baseball, Golf, Poker, Bowling, Billiards, and though I enjoy it, Curling. I consider any of those an activity.People lose weight in a sauna, but we don't call them athletes do we? :) I've lost close to 10lbs when I worked a day in the sun. It's all liquid, which you gain back.

[Vancity]

I agree with your definition, but I would consider any form of auto racing a sport, more so than Soccer or Hockey. As jlousa said, drivers lose anywhere between 5 - 20lbs during a race, and are in better physical condition than any other athlete I could think of.

I would however, eliminate Baseball, Golf, Poker, Bowling, Billiards, and though I enjoy it, Curling. I consider any of those an activity.

Interesting..because basketball, soccer, hockey, football, tennis, badminton are all activities too ^^ I dunno...we don't have an objective definition of what a sport is or isn't, so to anyone here, baseball can be a sport to some, and it is simply an activity to others. Some sports are much tougher physically than others, but that doesn't mean they are any less a sport. But I would agree - how the heck is Poker a sport? I can't see Poker being a sport by any traditional or contemporary definition. Now the question is.....is bowling a sport. HAHA

[Distill3d]

I supposed if we wish to say its a sport if its sanctioned by the IOC. Sadly, this contradicts the Baseball not being a sport argument.

List of Olympic Recognized Sports (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_sports#Recognized_sports)

[Vancity]

Chess, Bowling, and Billiards are not sports. Those are GAMES. How can you justify Chess as being a sport?!