Post by jhendrix70 on May 27, 2010 13:08:43 GMT -5
THE PROJECT
After a great deal of investigation, research and review, it has been determined the Winnipeg Arena cannot provide the standard of facilities required by current and future tenants.
After one major expansion already, the existing structure is incapable of sustaining further renovations to the degree necessary. However, the site remains the best of all locations.
* 18,800 seats
* NHL size hockey rink
* 2,400 club seats
* 2,200 parking spaces
* Interior area 607,000 sq. ft.
* Retail space 75,000 sq. ft.
* Restaurants and food courts
* 4 escalators and 4 elevators
* Half the price of True North
Benefits of developing the current site include retaining the available parking space for 2,200 vehicles, maintaining the business for the established hospitality industry in the area, and the fact there will be no additional land costs involved.
In 1993, when we last debated a new arena and tried to keep the Winnipeg Jets in town, the Winnipeg Forum Group recommended replacing the existing arena by an entirely new structure on the same site. The proposed new structure would provide the additional seating, unobstructed sight lines, expanded concession and enhanced facilities required.
The WFG proposal provided a detailed structural and architectural transformation of the existing facility.
PCL Constructors, Prairie Inc. had identified the construction cost of the project in January, 1993 as $42.9 million. Allowances for professional fees, interim financing, a parking/traffic study and a contingency sum would have been included in the final financing package, bringing the total to $66.8 million. In a December 14, 1994 article in the Winnipeg Free Press, then-Councillor Glen Murray said he had a a written guarantee from PCL Construction for $68 million.
COMPARISON WITH TRUE NORTH
The True North Centre is scheduled for construction on the site of the Eaton's building. Total parking available is the Eaton's parkade, no new parking structure will be constructed. To accommodate arena customers, all downtown parking will used. This will prevent shopping, or any other evening activity downtown. The arena itself would be 811 seats smaller than the current arena, only 14,728 seats. The ice rink would be too small for major league hockey, preventing Winnipeg from gaining a major league team in the future. The True North Centre would not have secured parking for the semi-trailers and busses of a major concert. The "Clubroom" of True North Center is indicated as being in the north end zone party suites, reducing from 205-96 seats. Winnipeg Forum would have two separate Club Lounges, not taking away any from private suites or seats.
A coalition has proposed converting the Eaton's Building into Eaton Square. This would be a multi-use facility with a 20,000 sq. ft. heated atrium. It would have commercial office space, retail outlets including a supermarket, restaurants and atrium cafes, residential space with lofts, apartments, studio suites, senior and student housing. Details are available here.
Estimated construction costs for Eaton Square is $65 million. That means the total cost for Eaton Square and the Winnipeg Forum is that of the True North Centre alone. We could have two productive buildings for the price of one.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Construction will begin by erecting the exterior of the new, larger facility around and over the existing arena. In this way, hockey seasons WILL NOT BE DISRUPTED; fans will enter and exit the existing arena through the exterior envelope.
The new facility will be wider than the existing building by approximately 60 feet on either side to allow for improved amenities. It will also be 30 feet higher with a contemporary "bowl seating" configuration. The new facility will provide 242,400 square feet of additional space, bringing the total square footage of the new building to 607,000.
Proposed construction schedule
Phase One: January 2003 to May 2004
envelop existing arena with new building exterior
Phase Two: May 2004 to October 2004
transform west half of arena including removal of upper deck
Phase Three: May 2004 to October 2005
transform east half of arena including removal of upper deck
THE NEW FACILITY
A world-class facility will be constructed for the citizens of Winnipeg - seating 18,800 spectators in first-class comfort. Other amenities of the Winnipeg Forum will include:
2,400 luxury seats with full amenities at Club Level, plus 30 luxury boxes contemporary exterior look and finish (factory-finished cladding and attractive glazing) unobstructed sight lines from any seat in the house greater flexibility in seat pricing possible quality finish treatment throughout the interior
high-tech media facilities with excellent sight lines
superb ice-making capability with freezing time cut by 30%
ice removal time also decreased well-equipped washroom facilities approximately 75,000 square feet of commercial retail space (to include restaurants, food courts, commercial and office space) plus ample new storage space a public concourse area that will be 50% larger than existing arena four new elevators and four escalators high-efficiency loading ramp, expanded loading dock access and egress premium air quality with state-of-the-art air-handling units new space for the Hockey Hall of Fame
The new facility will provide the Manitoba Moose exceptional opportunities for increased revenues.
THE NAME
The Winnipeg Forum Group reviewed a number of suggestions, pas and present, before arriving at a proposed name for the new facility. Also part of the process was a review of names of the current home ice facilities for National Hockey League franchises.
In total they are:
Three Gardens
Four Coliseums (including Quebec's Colisée)
Four Arenas
Three Centers
Two Forums
One Auditorium
One Stadium
And three "unique" names, ie. Saddledome, Cow Palace and Spectrum
In proposing a name for the new facility, the Group believes it's important to keep the city location in the name in order to identify and promote Winnipeg to markets (largely American) which may be unfamiliar with us.
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THE WINNIPEG FORUM
Forum: from the Latin, "Assembly place of the people"
Winnipeg: The people and the place, the focus of the entire project
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Of course, the owners of the building will have the right to rename the facility should they see fit.
ARCHITECTURAL VIEWS
CLUB VIEW:
OVERHEAD VIEW:
CROSS SECTION:
INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE:
CONCERT REQUIREMENTS
Jerry Shore, a Winnipeg concert promoter, wrote an article for the Winnipeg Sun in 1994 in which he laid out requirements for a major concert. His top 10 list includes:
LOADING DOCK: A new building needs a minimum of three, preferably four loading docks, weather protected year round.
STAGING SIZE AND CONFIGURATIONS: We need height- and width-variable equipment and a workshop to customize to tenant requirements.
CATERING: A working kitchen and private dining areas for up to 100 cast and crew members are required.
BOX OFFICE & TICKETING: Have the two box-office operations been consulted as to their needs to efficiently service the ticket buying public?
SECURED PARKING: Some big shows bring eight semi-trailers and six busses -- indoor parking preferred due to our climate, but, at minimum, must be able to park immediately adjacent and 24-hour secured.
ACCESS & EGRESS SUITABILITY: Audience comfort and convenience must be addressed, with sufficient elevators/escalators and handicapped accessible.
PRODUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES: For show management and staff, computer, and fax hook-ups, private phone lines will be required.
SECURITY OFFICE: In-house concert staff offices, communication system and security offices/camera system accessing all areas and police entrances will be needed.
DRESSING ROOMS: Six or more minimum change/dressing rooms, plus lounges not converted hockey change rooms; showers, furnishings.
EMERGENCY SERVICES: St. Johns Ambulance and emergency equipment access and services, media rooms, medical rooms.
www.members.shaw.ca/rbdyck/issues/Forum.html
I still belive what we ended up with is better then taking a OLD building and...expanding by renovation. Look at the current Winnipeg Bomber Stadium for evidence of that! There's only so much you can do with an old Frame....