$100,000 towards a new arena

[dogman]

At the IceDogs game today, Bob Gale is donating $100,000 towards a new 5000 seat arena, if plans are in place in the next year. I really see Bob spearheading this movement for a new arena. I spoke with a number of people during the game and everyone seemed to feel that a new arena will be in place very soon. Bob also spoke about the arena being self sufficent and not costing the taxpayers much. I know his group had a meeting with the mayor a few weeks ago. They must have a pretty solid plan in place.

With every game being a sellout and season tickets for next season approaching the maximum limit, I think its very evident that a new arena is needed.

[puckhound]

He's a very generous man having also just committed a million $ towards the new Niagara Falls four pad. Maybe this will get others in the area to step up. The City of St. Catharines should at least designate and announce a piece of land towards this as soon as possible so those who want to add to the cause know the location where they are putting $ towards.

[hockey123]

The hundred thousand is actually not for the arena, but for youth activities. It is an incentive to get the city to move. It will only be paid out if the city agrees to build a new rink in the next year. Hopefully this is the k1ck in the a$$ this city needs to get the ball rolling. Thank you once again Mr. Gale. On a side note my wife said she was listening to a local radio station and some other businessmen are stepping forward with similar offers. Great news for the Dogs.

[hercor]

Is Mr; Gale still interested in the Brock location?
I guess He is putting the City to the test and see if they are willing to spent 30 mill in order to get 100.000 thou.

[charger]

It is as tep in the right direction a new arena is needed we are getting passed by other cities

[germancabdriver]

$100K wouldn't even pay for the hair spray the Ice Dogs' President uses!! 3,000 fans is approximately 2.75% of the population and if you take in the fact that of those 3,000, how many are actually from St. Catharines, I'm pretty sure the other 98-99% of people will have something to say when they raise their taxes (again) to build a new rink! Not going to happen boys and girls unless it is all private money!!

[dogman]

Really, why not. A new arena has happened in every other OHL city.

The mayor supports a new arena. The Chamber of commerce supports a new arena. The downtown association supports a new arena. A number of businessmen support the new arena.

You say only 3000 fans come to the game, so 98% of the population doesn't want a new arena. First, its only 3000 because that is capacity. Secondly, its not the same 3000 people coming to the games. Most people have attended a game or two, and really enjoy it.

Hey, weren't you on here at the beginning of the year, saying that OHL hockey would never work, the Burkes did not know what they were doing, they will never sell out. Guess you were wrong.

[rabiddog]

Germancabdriver-- You sound bitter toward the Burkes--- Why is that???

[charger]

I also beleive private money is the way to go to build a new arena. Since the Four Plex diaster in cost overuns.

[Kevin]

There is only one arena in the OHL that was fully privately funded and that was the arena in Plymouth where the owner of the OHL team paid the entire bill himself. I highly doubt any company will pay $35 million to build a rink in downtown St. Catharines. The return on investment does not justify the money. However, a Sports and Entertainment Centre does have a decent chance of providing a small return on investment. Compared to most city facilities/services such as pools, parks, library, and transit all of whom will lose money, a sports and entertainment facility is attractive. In addition, the city will benefit from the economic spinoffs.

However, there are arena management companies who will manage the design, build and operations of arenas. They usually will guarantee no cost overruns. If there is, the arena management company is responsible for paying the overrun.