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Post by excanucksfan on Jan 18, 2008 16:32:25 GMT -5
At the game last night I spoke to someone who told me that new seats are going to be installed next year at the rink. I then repeated this to another person outside during the intermission who told me he heard the old wooden benches are staying. Has anyone else heard what is going on with the seats.
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Post by back2back on Jan 18, 2008 16:40:05 GMT -5
I have not heard but am assuming they are getting new seats. I can't see them lasting long without them. They also need to do something about the top row as there is no room for your legs. Perhaps they should just get rid of it and make that area standing room with a larger concourse.
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Post by excanucksfan on Jan 18, 2008 16:44:52 GMT -5
We dealing with the city of St. Catharines, it is not safe to assume anything.
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Post by charger on Jan 18, 2008 17:05:52 GMT -5
I read in the Standard last September the City is putting in new seats it may reduce the capcity a bit in the seating area but standing room will increase so I assume they are removing Row J down the sides and expand the concorse.
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Post by hercor on Jan 18, 2008 17:19:46 GMT -5
I have heard that they have contacted the city of Niagara Falls about getting those seats next year when that building will be demolished as soon as the "BOB" is ready.
They are perfectly good seats and there are enough to put 3000 in the " JACK"at a cost of half of new seats ,they will last for as long as the arena is usable it doesn't make any sense to invest so much on new seats when these will do just fine unless city council has monies to waste.
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Post by jrbfan on Jan 18, 2008 17:39:56 GMT -5
The whole seating issue seems to be up in the air, depending who you talk to. I've heard every possible scenario. There's apparently 3 groups wanting to purchase the NF Mem arena, and at least one of those wants the seats. So I don't think those seats are a slam dunk.
So hold on to your seats! It's gonna be a wild ride!
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Post by fishfan51 on Jan 18, 2008 18:33:17 GMT -5
It has been said on another forum that the Dogs were contacted this week...they said they will NOT be putting in new seats.
As for the seats at the Falls arena...the arena will still be open next season as they haven't even started the new facility yet.
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Post by dogman on Jan 18, 2008 23:43:49 GMT -5
I thought new seats were a lock for next year as well. If they don't get them, I'm not sure if my back can take another year with those benches. Can they not get narrow seats to replace the benches. Even if they were more comfortable, and individual seats that would help a lot.
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Post by niftyrick on Jan 19, 2008 10:38:35 GMT -5
Why bother, the falls is building a convention centre with a 7000 seat capacity and may have a ice install available. Cant see the team staying in St kitts and losing money for more then 3 years. Besides NF memorial is still open next year, the NF 4 pad is a couple years away.
The seats at memorial are no better, although memorial and gatecliff are identical layouts. Considering the sportsplex #1 arena is a replica of the Thorold arena too... one side high rows one side lower rows no seats at either end. They built a 33 year old clone.
Save your money St kitts give more to rowing and figure skating..... like they need it.
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Post by jrbfan on Jan 19, 2008 10:59:40 GMT -5
Why bother, the falls is building a convention centre with a 7000 seat capacity and may have a ice install available. Cant see the team staying in St kitts and losing money for more then 3 years. It has been stated quite clearly that the convention centre is not interested in having any ice. As for losing money, well that's a whole different topic that we've discussed here over and over again... |
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Post by hercor on Jan 19, 2008 15:36:01 GMT -5
If the city decides t put new seats in the Jack you can kiss a new arena in St. Kitts goodbye, new seats would be a long term expenditure.
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Post by dawgr on Jan 19, 2008 21:00:40 GMT -5
I think replacing the top row with standing is a cool idea. Two things could happen..... the concoarse gets wider around the top....win situaition!.....and if you make the top row standings, they could make a standup bar kind-of-concept there around the top, with the standing spots getting a 10-12" wide standup bar table to lean on. They have this in Guelph. The scouts would love it. Watching a game there is great... open up your program....eat nachos....hell...I'm tearing those seats out tomorrow morning:)
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Post by fishfan51 on Jan 19, 2008 22:02:44 GMT -5
I think replacing the top row with standing is a cool idea. Two things could happen..... the concoarse gets wider around the top....win situaition!.....and if you make the top row standings, they could make a standup bar kind-of-concept there around the top, with the standing spots getting a 10-12" wide standup bar table to lean on. They have this in Guelph. The scouts would love it. Watching a game there is great... open up your program....eat nachos....hell...I'm tearing those seats out tomorrow morning:) And you don't think the Dogs would mind losing 500 seats at seventeen bucks a pop? |
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Post by dogfan on Jan 19, 2008 23:29:11 GMT -5
If the city decides t put new seats in the Jack you can kiss a new arena in St. Kitts goodbye, new seats would be a long term expenditure. Actually, these seats would be removed and put in the new arena. Seats at the Jack would actually cut down the cost of a new arena. |
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Post by jrbfan on Jan 19, 2008 23:41:38 GMT -5
If the city decides t put new seats in the Jack you can kiss a new arena in St. Kitts goodbye, new seats would be a long term expenditure. Actually, these seats would be removed and put in the new arena. Seats at the Jack would actually cut down the cost of a new arena. You must be joking. It sounds like you're suggesting putting the old top row Jack seats in a new arena?  |
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Post by dogman on Jan 20, 2008 1:45:58 GMT -5
I think replacing the top row with standing is a cool idea. Two things could happen..... the concoarse gets wider around the top....win situaition!.....and if you make the top row standings, they could make a standup bar kind-of-concept there around the top, with the standing spots getting a 10-12" wide standup bar table to lean on. They have this in Guelph. The scouts would love it. Watching a game there is great... open up your program....eat nachos....hell...I'm tearing those seats out tomorrow morning:) And you don't think the Dogs would mind losing 500 seats at seventeen bucks a pop? I think you would only need to remove the seats at the sides. The top aisle at the north end is much wider. So I would estimate they would have to remove 225 seats. However, instead of charging $12 for standing they could charge $17. I also think they should add some removeable seats in the bottom walkway of the South end to make up for any loss of seats. As it is now, that is just wasted space. But between new seats and taking out the top row, I would choose new seats. I would rather be uncomfortable for the 5 minutes I'm walking around and be comfortable for the 2 hours I'm sitting. |
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Post by niftyrick on Jan 21, 2008 0:30:30 GMT -5
Why bother, the falls is building a convention centre with a 7000 seat capacity and may have a ice install available. Cant see the team staying in St kitts and losing money for more then 3 years. It has been stated quite clearly that the convention centre is not interested in having any ice. As for losing money, well that's a whole different topic that we've discussed here over and over again... A local contractor told me the convention centre will include ice. As for the losing money you have to look at the bottom line. A expenditure versus return on investment. So its directly related, seats for a team that may leave. |
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Post by puckhound on Jan 21, 2008 8:03:35 GMT -5
Falls Convention center construction hasn't gone out for bid yet so ice making is only rumour. Architectural plans have not been released. Private funds would have to cover for ice.
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Post by Kevin on Jan 21, 2008 17:28:14 GMT -5
I have also heard the ice rumour in the convention centre. However, would it be permanent ice, like in an arena, or temporary ice that is only put in a few times a year for shows, like at the Rogers Centre. I guess either way it leaves the door open for the IceDogs down the road.
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Post by excanucksfan on Jan 21, 2008 18:33:36 GMT -5
It has been stated quite clearly that the convention centre is not interested in having any ice. As for losing money, well that's a whole different topic that we've discussed here over and over again... A local contractor told me the convention centre will include ice. As for the losing money you have to look at the bottom line. A expenditure versus return on investment. So its directly related, seats for a team that may leave. The seats should have been replaced before the IceDogs even came. Welland got new seats, and they don't have Jr. A. Regardless of whether the team stays there or moves to another arena in the region, if the Jack Gatecliff Arena stays open new seats are needed. The seats are not even suitable for Jr. B. |
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Post by chooch on Jan 22, 2008 10:57:56 GMT -5
Everything that I've read on the convention center gives me the impression that ice is not on the agenda as NF is trying to make the city a gambling and convention type of destination. I really can't see them being interested in having to constantly change from ice to no ice all winter long to accomodate all the functions that the place should bring in. An article in the paper said that the facility they are planning to build could bring up to 500 bookings a year, large and small conventions and shows, and that's without hockey.
Unless a private group steps into the region with major cash then I don't see the Dogs moving from the Jack for at least five years so bringing in some better seating is only the common sense thing to do to keep fans happy and comfortable. That and new glass would make the arena a better place for the dogs and their fans.
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Post by hercor on Jan 22, 2008 11:38:37 GMT -5
As far as the Convention Centre goes , they may not be talking about including ice at this time but that doesn't mean it won't happen . There is a site in the internet where you can voice an opinion on the C.C Maybe some suggestions from the public wouldn't hurt , there is one post in there already. www.accessniagara.com/blog/ |
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Post by chooch on Jan 24, 2008 10:20:00 GMT -5
I hope you're right and some back room lobbying is happening that we don't know about. I pass by that location every day going to work and it's not too bad, easy access from the QEW at McLoed Rd. or off the 427. And Hooters is right there too.  |
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Post by niftyrick on Jan 30, 2008 11:23:19 GMT -5
I was up in Mississauga last week and went in and looked around at the Hershey centre. Wow what a amazing arena the Icedogs left to come here. Must be about 7000 seating capacity with private boxes, huge bar, tons of washrooms. Its just like the Copps or any NHL rink just minus the top level. Not a bad seat in the place. Gatecliff is the 3rd oldest arena now with a JR A team and will be #1 next year as the 2 others are ready to move into the 21 century... But we chat about ....seats, why not just get better speakers or better popcorn.
Here's hoping the falls build the centre and put the dogs in a real setting they deserve, were I dont have to be crammed into a seat, or give it up to stand then never leave that spot all game.
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Post by oldcoach on Jan 30, 2008 13:46:20 GMT -5
Too bad they don't have the room in the falls to do it like London with a covered walk way to the casino.
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