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Post by dogfan on Jun 10, 2007 19:17:06 GMT -5
The dogs long term plans are something we should all be thinking about. With the sale of season tickets going well, I'd like to look down the road a couple years, toward a new arena. I think the best place for it is the current Can-view Drive In. Movie buffs may hate the idea but hockey fans can't. It is five minutes from NF, St.Cath., Welland and the rest of the region. I thought it was a great idea when the Thunder was here and I still do. You widen HWY#20 for the Niagara Falls residents, and maybe build a tunnel instead of the Allenburg Bridge and it is a great place for everyone. Besides the amount of vacant land in the area is fantastic for development.
Anyways that's my idea, what do the rest of you think, or do you have another spot in mind.
Rememeber three years isn't that far off and we'll need to get the regional government thinking about it soon.
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Post by slamr on Jun 11, 2007 11:10:08 GMT -5
The idea of a "neutral" location for a truly regional team has been discussed a lot where I work. The spot you mentioned was one and somewhere around White Oaks off the QEW was another. No one knows what Burke's future vision really is but this seems to make sense to most everyone I've talked to.
However, don't be looking for the region to be spending any money on major road work for the benefit of an arena. That is just not going to happen.
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Post by hercor on Jun 11, 2007 12:52:52 GMT -5
The best location and the one that makes most sense is in N.O.T.L land between N.Falls and St. Kitts across White Oaks right on the Q.E.W. and 15-20 minutes away from anyone in the Region, If anything is going to be build anywhere it will have to be private monies I don't think any branch of government will invest on arena projects ,not City, Reg, Fed or Prov.
The team is here to stay when the time comes someone will step up and do something I don't think this team will be departing anytime soon ,It also doesn't mean It has to stay in St.Kitss , the way it is structured Mr. Burke knew what He was doing, the name alone tells you that they can move anywhere in the Region with no problem they won't need any permission to relocate where a new arena is build.
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Post by puckhound on Jun 12, 2007 8:46:24 GMT -5
There is a 4-pad with one of the rinks being a 2000 seat arena starting construction now in the Falls. The architect should work in the large rink, heavy duty base columns to handle additional weight and any other requirements for expansion. This would involve raising the roof, adding an additional 3000 seats and corporate boxes. Plenty of land for additional parking. I would think that Mr. Burke would keep in contact with the Falls city planner/engineer to keep his options open for the future. He didn't become a successful business person by luck. You have to have some foresight.
I know there are some people who are going to come on here and say the City screwed up and the work for 5000 seats should be happening now but the fact of the matter is it didn't come together with enough private funds. I'm sure the new owner and his advisers will be working on this the next 3 to 4 years.
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Post by sportscrazy on Jun 12, 2007 10:24:09 GMT -5
Niagara on the Lake makes the most sense to me, if the arena is located right along the QEW. A short 2-3 min drive from St. Catharines or the Falls. The only negative aspect is that neither the Falls or St. Catharines would pay for the arena since it would be located outside of their municipal boundaries so all funding would need to be private. Also, land is very expensive in that area. So while I think its obvious that the NOTL area would be the best location for an OHL team, it would be difficult to actually make it happen. But we can always dream!
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Post by chooch on Jun 12, 2007 11:21:47 GMT -5
There are no plans at all for a future rink anywhere around the region, but if there were then I also agree on a NOTL location as they have empty prime land right along the highway. A perfect area for a rink and easy access from the entire region.
I don't like the 4 plex location in the Falls for a big rink, too far off any major route for out of town visitors. I'm sure it will serve the city well and will probably do well for junior B but anything any bigger then 2000 seats should be right beside the QEW. It all doesn't matter anyways as a new facility probably wont happen any time soon.
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Post by back2back on Jun 12, 2007 14:07:50 GMT -5
I think anywhere along the QEW is good, especially if its between Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. I always thought Brock U would be a good spot as well.
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