Replacement for the Aud? - Page 2

DHLawrence · #21 Posted: **Sep 11, 2008, 11:38 PM**

Unfortunately, there aren't that many sites downtown to choose from without performing major surgery (read: demolition). I suppose the area near Ottawa and Charles could be the new location; it seems to be mostly old factories. Would probably still have to build on top of Borden Avenue, though.

Cambridgite · #22 Posted: **Sep 11, 2008, 11:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHLawrence

Unfortunately, there aren't that many sites downtown to choose from without performing major surgery (read: demolition). I suppose the area near Ottawa and Charles could be the new location; it seems to be mostly old factories. Would probably still have to build on top of Borden Avenue, though.

Oh man, I can only imagine the NIMBYism that would result from that.

Why not the Canbar lands? It'd be better than what's proposed there right now (Barrelyards).

DHLawrence · #23 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 12:41 AM**

notmyfriends · #24 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 1:33 AM**

Why are you always trying to take away my two-tone off white beauties!??!?!

KitchenerBitcher · #25 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 1:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHLawrence

The SunLife parking lot is WAY too small! You'd have to build onto Park Street and beyond.

I'd be in favour of rebuilding on top of the Gateway Park Drive big box stores; if they were relocated and demolished, that development would be more than big enough. Plus the name Sportsworld Drive would make sense again!

I agree with this idea! I think the Sportsworld drive area would be a great spot. Near 401, king Street, Highway 8, new greyhound terminal. With quite a few restaurants around to please all the fans. And more would be built of course.

0sprey · #26 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 2:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Suburban arenas are not a good thing IMO.... almost everyone in Ottawa hates the location of Scotiabank Place; fairly poor transit access, no restaurants/bars etc nearby; non-walkable area; doesn't have the sense of place of downtown arenas; dead area outside of game nights.

i agree with waterloowarrior on this one completely.

putting it 'in the middle' of one of the 3 'cities' basically puts it away from the centre of attention everywhere. it's the typical 'put it in the middle and nobody gets to enjoy it' scenario we've seen with other things in this country.

put it either in downtown or uptown or in between so that people can walk, dine, and entertain in a 'core' setting. if we want the area to become a 'city', putting it out at sportsworld so that people have to drive/bus/LRT it to there is completely killing the vibe that an arena/concert venue like this will generate. should the goal not be to turn this into an entertainment structure, not a neighbourhood rink?

as for closeness to 401...do you really think the majority of people attending events are arriving via the 401?? Let's cater to the majority and not put this thing way out somewhere so that the few driving in off the 401 are not inconvenienced.

DHLawrence · #27 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 2:51 AM**

Could always put it on Hespeler Road! That's the one 'downtown' that can fit one in without having to squeeze it in a tight space.

Brenden · #28 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 2:34 PM**

Steve Bienkowski, Kitchener Ranger's chief operating officer was on 570 news this morning. They were talking about what to do about the aud. He was pushing for a public private partnership to open a new facility. He also pointed out that the facility needs to be built to bring in large events each year. We will not get another memorial cup for 20ish years but we could get the junos, trade shows, consumer shows, briaer cup, tournament of hears, and other large events. So do not think about building a facility for one event but for a series of events.
He said the newspaper report was a bit off, he was not going to check out the Windsor for size but he was looking at it to find how a public private building how it would work.

then the regional councilor wants to know what the citcans want, Waterloo city hall had a report that if we do not have a facility we will not attract the events we use to. This has to be a city project this is a regional project, he also pushed for local corporations to step up to the plate and help.
They need a catalist to get the ball rolling, they councle just cant do it all.

As for locations they both said that the aud would be a good location for this facility. They could remove Centennial Stadium and Jack Couch Ball Park and move them some where else. Then build the facility there. Then redevelop the Dom Cardillo Arena by removing seats and and create a community meeting space in the upper level. (a new floor) to create a new convention center.
If they were to look at another location Mr. Bienkowski said that it would have to be central to the region and not be at one end or the other of the region. He pointed out that KW is working hard to redevelop the down town and this could fit in well with that development.

GreatTallNorth2 · #29 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 2:54 PM**

This move by the Ranger's owner is very interesting. It looks like he is suggesting an arena that is too small for the NHL, but large enough to host some other big events. It is obviously in his interest that the NHL does not come to the K/W region in the future as he would lose a lot of sponsors and fans. Therefore he is probably looking at building a 12-15,000 seat arena, which is too small for the NHL. Obviously if a facility like that gets built, there will be no political interest in funding a second arena in the future for an NHL team. Smart move on his part.

I remember in London when the JLC was first proposed. They originally planned for about 6000 seats. People complained that it was too small and the seating was increased to 9,100. It's smaller than what I wanted, but perfect for OHL hockey. I would suggest K/W builds about 12,000 to get the bigger events.

Brenden · #30 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

This move by the Ranger's owner is very interesting. It looks like he is suggesting an arena that is too small for the NHL, but large enough to host some other big events. It is obviously in his interest that the NHL does not come to the K/W region in the future as he would lose a lot of sponsors and fans. Therefore he is probably looking at building a 12-15,000 seat arena, which is too small for the NHL. Obviously if a facility like that gets built, there will be no political interest in funding a second arena in the future for an NHL team. Smart move on his part.

That is something I had not consider of...

mark76 · #31 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 4:17 PM**

downtown location : I dont know ,seems we want to put everything in downtown: arena , underground parking, condo towers....

In other hand might be good idea since Waterloo did good job for uptown.

What about Breslau area near Airport??Or Bingemans.

As a central location between all cities you cant have everybody happy.

WaterlooInvestor · #32 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 10:00 PM**

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Brenden · #33 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 11:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterlooInvestor

Do you mean he said this should be a Region of Waterloo project instead of a City of Kitchener project?

Ya if I could spell thats what I would have said.

Brenden · #34 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 11:04 PM**

to be clear it was Geoff Lorentz who said that who is a city councilor for Kitchener.

notmyfriends · #35 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 11:11 PM**

But where would the parking lot go?

Also, if I remember correctly, the city would not allow Sun to build a parking structure on that land, and hence the filed of asphalt. Does anyone else remember any details around that, or am I remembering it incorrectly even at that level?

mark76 · #36 Posted: **Sep 12, 2008, 11:25 PM**

waterlooinvestor i have nothing against you ,but sometimes i have feeling that only your proposal is right and defend it, while other people advices or opinions not really counting.
By the way why new arena has to in downtown??
Is that something written in stone??

aplz · #37 Posted: **Sep 21, 2008, 1:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark76

By the way why new arena has to in downtown??

Convenience really. But the thing is, unlike most cities, our region is composed of 3 separate cities and lots of suburbs/surrounding towns like New Hamburg. To put it on our downtown wouldn't be the best decision, as it alienates Uptown, the Riverfront (Cambridge), and a plethora of towns that are just a stones throw away. Not to mention there simply isn't any room without demolishing a lot of structures and re-routing roads.

I think, despite suburban development sucking hard, is that the best location would be around the Sportsworld area due to the transportation aspect (highways, major bus routes). However, the area is not very pedestrian friendly - probably one of the least in the city - so I think that would cause problems.

The area is also seeing lots of development recently. The area is getting a lot of retail/residential development lately. There are also a lot of offices going in around the area, almost creating a small business district, similar to the miniature financial/insurance district out on and around Riverbend Drive. It's definitely becoming a more dense area.

Section ThirtyOne · #38 Posted: **Sep 22, 2008, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aplz

Convenience really. But the thing is, unlike most cities, our region is composed of 3 separate cities and lots of suburbs/surrounding towns like New Hamburg. To put it on our downtown wouldn't be the best decision, as it alienates Uptown, the Riverfront (Cambridge), and a plethora of towns that are just a stones throw away. Not to mention there simply isn't any room without demolishing a lot of structures and re-routing roads.

I think, despite suburban development sucking hard, is that the best location would be around the Sportsworld area due to the transportation aspect (highways, major bus routes). However, the area is not very pedestrian friendly - probably one of the least in the city - so I think that would cause problems.

The area is also seeing lots of development recently. The area is getting a lot of retail/residential development lately. There are also a lot of offices going in around the area, almost creating a small business district, similar to the miniature financial/insurance district out on and around Riverbend Drive. It's definitely becoming a more dense area.

If you put the new Aud out in the Sportsworld area, you will end up with a replica of Scotiabank Place in Ottawa that everyone in the city despises. The makeup around the area is the same, and I can tell you without a doubt that Highway 8 would be absolutely jammed for an hour or two on either end of a game. Also with only one bus route going out there, you would end up running special express buses that would end up in the same traffic jam as the rest of the cars.

However, the biggest gripe about SBP and other semi-rural arenas is that there is absolutely no place to go before and after an event. Picture this: The Rangers win the Memorial Cup (or if we get an NHL team, the Stanley Cup) and throngs of fans pour out of the Aud in to... ... the parking lot.

Brenden · #39 Posted: **Sep 22, 2008, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section ThirtyOne

However, the biggest gripe about SBP and other semi-rural arenas is that there is absolutely no place to go before and after an event. Picture this: The Rangers win the Memorial Cup (or if we get an NHL team, the Stanley Cup) and throngs of fans pour out of the Aud in to... ... the parking lot.

Ok I am not a fan of the Sportsworld area but look at London. They built the JLC to bring business down town and it didn't people come in and then leave. Yes there is a few good sports bars right at that corner but beyond that its still dead. I do not think that an arena will bring anything more that traffic downtown for hockey. Now if its used for other things like Oktoberfest, festivals, concerts, tradeshow and business type things I think that will bring business downtown.

DHLawrence · #40 Posted: **Sep 23, 2008, 1:58 AM**

I think that's one of their goals for the Aud replacement--to attract conferences and better-known concerts to Kitchener.

I have to admit, downtown Kitchener is the logical place for an arena; it's the only part easily accessible from all corners of the Region. However, it has to be agreed that there isn't a great deal of room left in the downtown area that's easily accessible from within and outside the region. It has to be easy to drive to, easy to commute to by other means, and has to have amenities nearby to stimulate the economy. There aren't many brownfield or industrial areas that fit all those criteria.