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Post by mrreferee on Apr 25, 2007 9:30:06 GMT -5
I dont know what anyone else thinks, but I do believe its an awesome idea.
$15.00 per ticket x 2,500 seats = 37,500.00 Per Game
That is some pretty serious money especially
37,500.00 x 34 Games = 1,275,000.00 Per Season
DEFINATELY GOOD MONEY!!!!!!!!
That will pay alot. Plus Sponserships will help too.
But then Burkes got some expenses he has to pay out. Who gets paid out of that. 1 The Referees. The Coaches I believe get a little taste, and maybe some players. But that is very good money still. Anyone else have anything too add?
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Post by groulxisright on Apr 25, 2007 10:27:42 GMT -5
You gotta hand it to this guy he is smart. Many have tried to put a team in the Niagara Region. I believe, just from a simple geographical location. No immediate competition from another local team, and yet you have several teams that are only a few hours drive away.
Now this is where this guy was smarter than the rest. All the other came in with demands about arenas and funding and what have you. It was easy for council to turn them down because no one had an vested interest in that team yet. Sure some people were upset but all and all no one was going to cause to much trouble because the team was never more than an idea.
This guy walks in, asks for the bare minimum and tells all that he can make the rest work. Since the city isn't financially bending over backwards they are really in no position but to accept the deal.
Now let's jump 3 years down the road when this team is a part of the community. This team has business sponsoring the games, this team bring in people from out of town bring business to the city. Business people know city politicans. If this team continues to have a winning record like the Ice Dogs did last season, they may well become one of the major contributers to the identity of this city.
This is when you approach the city with your demands for a new arena and anything else you want. This is when the council will see a lot more backlash if you they do not get behind an arena deal. This is when the council will be seen as the group that has forced the OHL to leave the Niagara region again.
I don't know if you will ever see St. Catharines help fund a 5,000 to 6,000 seat arena but if this scenerio holds true, this will be the hardest offer for the council to turn down yet.
Well done, Mr. Burke
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Post by Kevin on Apr 25, 2007 13:49:10 GMT -5
While Mr. Burke's plan is a good one, the other groups that approached Niagara would not have been allowed to use the Gatecliff or Memorial rink without approved plans for a new arena. The Gatecliff Arena falls well below league requirements. League rules dictate that OHL teams can only use a facility that does not meet league requirements if they have approved plans for a new arena. I know for a fact that atleast one group asked if they could use the Gatecliff or Memorial arena for a few years and the league's reponse was that they must have a shovel in the ground for a new facility first.
In fact, some believe that the Niagara IceDogs proposal will not receive approval from the OHL Board of Governors. However, since the league is so desparate to see the IceDogs/Majors situation resolved, they will break the rules and accept the proposal.
But Burke is a smart guy. He bought the team at the 11th hour knowing that the league would be willing to bend in order to get the IceDogs out of Mississauga for next year. Whether intentional or not, Burke's timing in buying the team is what allowed the team to come to Niagara. I only hope that sports fans in Niagara realize how unique this opportunity is and fill the arena.
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Post by slamr on Apr 25, 2007 14:11:58 GMT -5
While Mr. Burke's plan is a good one, the other groups that approached Niagara would not have been allowed to use the Gatecliff or Memorial rink without approved plans for a new arena. The Gatecliff Arena falls well below league requirements. League rules dictate that OHL teams can only use a facility that does not meet league requirements if they have approved plans for a new arena. I know for a fact that atleast one group asked if they could use the Gatecliff or Memorial arena for a few years and the league's reponse was that they must have a shovel in the ground for a new facility first. In fact, some believe that the Niagara IceDogs proposal will not receive approval from the OHL Board of Governors. However, since the league is so desparate to see the IceDogs/Majors situation resolved, they will break the rules and accept the proposal. But Burke is a smart guy. He bought the team at the 11th hour knowing that the league would be willing to bend in order to get the IceDogs out of Mississauga for next year. Whether intentional or not, Burke's timing in buying the team is what allowed the team to come to Niagara. I only hope that sports fans in Niagara realize how unique this opportunity is and fill the arena. You're right about this Kevin. We are very fortunate that this deal actually came about. People in the Falls are upset with their council for turning Burke away without discussion. They feel they could have gotten the same deal had council been willing to listen. With what I have read, I tend to agree. People in North Bay (and Moe Mantha), however are pretty ticked off. They think the fix is on to get OHL back in Niagara at any cost. Not a happy bunch up there. Check out this link. www.nugget.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=501600&catname=Local+Sports&classif=Sports+LiveYes, we are indeed a fortunate bunch and we had better not mess this up. If we don't embrace this team...NOW...then we truly are dead. I know the city would just love to promote itself with this. National exposure helps and it's already started...and we don't even officially have the team yet. Here's a Sportsnet article. www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/article.jsp?content=20070424_225311_7024 |
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Post by groulxisright on Apr 25, 2007 17:32:14 GMT -5
You gotta feel for these poor kids. Hershey Centre to the Jack. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse.
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Post by groulxisright on Apr 25, 2007 17:40:32 GMT -5
Also, I wonder how the fans in Mississauga feel?
They are losing a team that went 43-21-0-4 last season and inherit a team that was only 20-41-4-3 and didn't make the playoffs. I think they could see a significate decrease in attendance in that town.
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Post by excanucksfan on Apr 26, 2007 12:36:55 GMT -5
Does anyone know when season tickets for the OHL team will be on sale. What will the prices for season tickets be?
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Post by Just the Facts on Apr 26, 2007 16:24:22 GMT -5
Great news about the Ice Dogs, it's about time this area got a Major A team. They better do something about the PARKING PROBLEM that their going to have. I'm a senior and if I bring my grandsons, I Will NOT drive around like an idiot looking for a parking spot. No parking spot close to the areana, they lose my money cause I'll just go home and do something else or take the boys to the show. I hope someone is listening or reading because I know I'm not the only one that feels the same way.
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Post by chooch on Apr 29, 2007 7:56:15 GMT -5
I'll probably be doing the shuttle bus thing from the Falls for the games so parking wont be an issue (I hope).
What surprised me was yesterday I went to the home show at the Jack, first time in that building in probably 25 years, and it looked like what the NF arena looked like 30 years ago.....nothing has been done to upgrade the place in such a long time. It was a bit of a shock to see what shape this place was in, I thought that the city would every once in a while spend a few bucks to keep the place looking nice, but it was a huge blast from the past for me, especially the seating.
Besides the new dressing rooms that will be built, is there any plans at all to pretty up the place for visitors? New score board? Lighting? Anything? I sure hope so.
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Post by Kevin on Apr 29, 2007 11:26:14 GMT -5
Nothing else will be done from what I understand. The old wooden benches should have been replaced 10 years ago.
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Post by blueline on May 2, 2007 11:25:15 GMT -5
the old wooden benches are great. It Is alot better then sitting in a seat that you get static cling and shocks when you touch the person beside you. Yes, if you have to get new Seats The ones in fort Erie are the best seats, a little wider then other arena seats and they are with cup holders. But for now leave the seats alone in the Jack. We like are seats.
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Post by excanucksfan on May 2, 2007 15:37:44 GMT -5
Speak for yourself. Those wooden benches are terrible and its nearly impossible to fit 2 full grown men into them. I really hope they are getting new seats at Gatecliff arena. I will go to the IceDogs either way but will be much more comfortable with new seats
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Post by chooch on May 2, 2007 21:40:06 GMT -5
I personally prefer the standing room to watch the games. I hope they do what the Thunder did by numbering the standing room spots so we can buy reserved tickets for them. My seasons tickets in the Falls were in the standing room and there were never any problems losing our spots.
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Post by slamr on May 3, 2007 12:38:35 GMT -5
the old wooden benches are great. It Is alot better then sitting in a seat that you get static cling and shocks when you touch the person beside you. Yes, if you have to get new Seats The ones in fort Erie are the best seats, a little wider then other arena seats and they are with cup holders. But for now leave the seats alone in the Jack. We like are seats. Oh...you have got to be just yanking our chains, right? Niagara Falls and Welland upgraded their seats years ago and here we are with the same old-same old. Regardless of the OHL coming, they should have been replaced long ago...probably when the AHL Saints were here. They are in disrepair and are a disgrace for this day and age. I just assumed they didn't because they figured there would be a new replacement arena just down the road. WRONG! Serves me right for assuming. They're spending money to fix the dressing rooms for the teams but I still think they should do something for the fans...and new seats should be top priority. (I wonder how much one new seat would cost?). |
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Post by omhafan on May 3, 2007 13:42:19 GMT -5
Niagara Falls is tearing down their arena next year 2008 once the new arena is ready. St. Catharines and Niagara Falls arenas are architectural copies. Bet they could grab those blue plastic seats from the Falls for a good deal for the Jack. Easier on the back then those wooden racks. Once I heard that St. Catharines residents have to anti up big time for the new hospital, the city won't have any tax dollars for new seats let alone a new 5000 seat arena in five years.
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Post by chooch on May 3, 2007 18:59:38 GMT -5
Ahh, but it's a regional hockey team, meaning that a future arena for the Dogs can be built anywhere in the region, not necessarily just in St. Kitts. If this team is hugely successful over the next five years, another city here just might raise an eyebrow and take notice.  As for the seats, thats a great idea to save a few bucks by getting the ones from NF. |
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Post by Kevin on May 3, 2007 22:18:29 GMT -5
Good observation Chooch. I think the fact that the IceDogs are a regional team really opens up additional possibilities when it comes time to build a new rink.
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