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Post by sportscrazy on Sept 11, 2007 13:09:53 GMT -5
I was thinking what if the IceDogs asked the city to renovate the Gatecliff rink instead of building a new rink. They could tear off the roof and add another 11 or 12 rows of seating on the IceDogs bench side. They could also add some private suites on that side of the rink as well. The other side of the arena as well as both ends would remained unchanged. Since the renovations would only affect the roof and one side on the building, costs could be kept reasonable. I think $10-15 million should do it. This compares favourably to a new rink at a cost of $30-40 million.
There has already been a lot of work on the arena such as a new IceDogs dressing room, new retail shop, renovated concession stands.
Could the IceDogs make a go of if they replaced the wooden benches and added another 1200 seats to the rink?
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Post by dogman on Sept 11, 2007 14:06:31 GMT -5
That is actually not a bad plan. The Cherry group had a similar plan but they were going to do much more extensive renovations. I believe the seating capacity would have been increased to 6000.
However, I think the best option is to avoid all the problems associated with the Jack Gatecliff rink and just build a brand new arena. I remember a few people on this forum talking about the 406/Hiway 20 area or in Niagara on the lake beside the QEW as prime spots for a new rink. Building a new rink in either of these locations make better sense to me.
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Post by mia on Sept 11, 2007 14:08:01 GMT -5
It would be a waste of money.You still have the same ice surface and it is too small for OHL standards.I have been to the rinks in the OHL and the Jack looks like a band-aid.I would say if St. Catharine's does not have a new rink in the works in five years it will move, as you can only loose money for so long.
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Post by dogfan on Sept 11, 2007 20:02:38 GMT -5
Another option is expanding the four plex main arena. Three of the four sides have enough room for expansion. When the arena was planned it had expansion in mind. As a side note it was mentioned at Niagara Falls Council last night by Councilor Wayne Thompson that Niagara Falls has had two private business owners inquire about land to build a 7000 seat facility. He didn't say it was a done deal but people are asking. I'd say it's not a matter of if they build an arena but when.
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Post by fishfan51 on Sept 11, 2007 21:14:48 GMT -5
if they do build a new arena, they better build it at on st.kitts because i'm not going to NF to watch them play. Nice attitude!! Some of you still don't get it!! The only was this team survives is if the entire region gets behind it PERIOD! What if people from the Falls, Welland, Thorold etc. said that about St.Catharines. How long do you think it will last? Put your petty, childish beefs aside and if the build a suitable rink anywhere in the region go to the games and support the team. |
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Post by back2back on Sept 12, 2007 14:42:01 GMT -5
What about tearing down the Gatecliff/Rex Stimers arena and building a 5000 seat arena right there. I guess we would still have the parking problem though. I think the Niagara on the Lake idea is good as there is a lot of land out there. Also by Brock University may be good as well from a regional perspective.
As for expanding the 4-plex, I think you can only expand on the one side with 10 rows and on the far end. The other side with 6 rows has rink number 3 behind it and the other end has the lobby. So I guess you could expand it but it would have something like 25 rows on one side and one end, 6 rows on the other side and no seating on the other end. That would make for a pretty weird looking arena.
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Post by coldpooch on Sept 12, 2007 16:50:12 GMT -5
if they do build a new arena, they better build it at on st.kitts because i'm not going to NF to watch them play. Nice attitude!! Some of you still don't get it!! The only was this team survives is if the entire region gets behind it PERIOD! What if people from the Falls, Welland, Thorold etc. said that about St.Catharines. How long do you think it will last? Put your petty, childish beefs aside and if the build a suitable rink anywhere in the region go to the games and support the team. No kidding eh? I see why the other teams in this area did not survive....sheesh. I still think most people do not get it....  |
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Post by coldpooch on Sept 12, 2007 20:09:33 GMT -5
i'm just saying that i want to watch a st.catharines based team, not thorold,welland,port,Nf, fort erie. Like we have said this "IS a NIAGARA" based team, not a St Kitts based team. It shouldn't really matter where the arena is. |
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Post by mia on Sept 13, 2007 8:40:21 GMT -5
No matter how you slice it is a St Catharines based team, the City of St Catharines put up $250,000 to get the team.The only way you will get a "Niagara" team is by the Region of Niagara to built a 6000 seat sports complex . Once a venue is built people will show up and the franchise will survive
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Post by hockeyobserver on Sept 13, 2007 20:19:00 GMT -5
lets worry about supporting them here in st kitts at the gate before we think of a new arena r a huge rebuild
fill the house first
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Post by obwan on Sept 13, 2007 21:35:16 GMT -5
Since Trooper deleted his posts he must be feeling some guilt or figures enough people have copied it that his no longer needs to posted.
Hey Trooper, you go to the games then come on here and let me know how the team made out!!! Since I'm not from St. Kitts i don't want to watch/support a St. Kitts based team, but its great that you are so dedicated, I'm just asking that you give insight into each nights games since i'm sure you will be attending them all. If you happen to miss one or two i'm sure mia will be glad to cover for you those nights. I'll appreciate and look forward to your posts as i'm sure many other niagara hockey fans will be as well.
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Post by SpaceBalls on Sept 14, 2007 21:20:01 GMT -5
Since Trooper deleted his posts he must be feeling some guilt or figures enough people have copied it that his no longer needs to posted. Hey Trooper, you go to the games then come on here and let me know how the team made out!!! Since I'm not from St. Kitts i don't want to watch/support a St. Kitts based team, but its great that you are so dedicated, I'm just asking that you give insight into each nights games since i'm sure you will be attending them all. If you happen to miss one or two i'm sure mia will be glad to cover for you those nights. I'll appreciate and look forward to your posts as i'm sure many other niagara hockey fans will be as well. Take it easy buddy. I simply said that i want to watch a team from my city. And i deleted my posts because i don't need 10 people telling me how immature I am. |
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Post by coldpooch on Sept 15, 2007 8:27:47 GMT -5
Since Trooper deleted his posts he must be feeling some guilt or figures enough people have copied it that his no longer needs to posted. Hey Trooper, you go to the games then come on here and let me know how the team made out!!! Since I'm not from St. Kitts i don't want to watch/support a St. Kitts based team, but its great that you are so dedicated, I'm just asking that you give insight into each nights games since i'm sure you will be attending them all. If you happen to miss one or two i'm sure mia will be glad to cover for you those nights. I'll appreciate and look forward to your posts as i'm sure many other niagara hockey fans will be as well. Take it easy buddy. I simply said that i want to watch a team from my city. And i deleted my posts because i don't need 10 people telling me how immature I am. After seeing both of these posts I think Mr Burke may be wasting his time trying to promote this team as regional. He could have "free beer and lap dancers" or hand money out the door and the fickle fans from Niagara, St. Kitts, Welland or where ever would not come. Get over you petty fights and come watch some good hockey. Talking to him he wants every body to come not just from this town. He truly feels it is regional. |
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Post by ltb on Sept 15, 2007 19:21:11 GMT -5
I live in the Falls and know people in Welland and Fort Erie, none of which follow this site, (no dis-respect intended). And I can assure you that most of your regular Joe's are just excited about watching this team on a regular basis, and they don't even think twice about traveling to St. Kitt's to watch! The one thing I have learned about following the comments on this site and talking to everyday Hockey fans is that most people don't feel this way at all, they don't care if it's in Welland, Niagara or St. Catharines, they just want to support this team. We get so caught up in the views on here, that we think that's how everybody feels. There is a real excitement growing for this team, but the key is to have a winning season and then watch the band wagon overflow!
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Post by hockeyobserver on Sept 16, 2007 8:43:25 GMT -5
what's with the geographic battle?
it's a niagara team, lets support it.
what is the problem driving 15 mins. to st. catharines to watch future nhl stars showcase their talents for a measly price
get over your own cities.. this isnt b where you back your team and say go falls go
its a team for all of niagara to enjoy
stop being so stuck up and whiny
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Post by chooch on Sept 16, 2007 11:25:53 GMT -5
here here ;D
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