Post by WpgJets2008 on May 29, 2009 10:08:53 GMT -5
Balsillie unveils Copps makeover plan
Friday, May 29, 2009
www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/05/29/balsillie_copps_announcement/
Plans to transform Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum into a spectacular home arena for a new Southern Ontario NHL franchise were unveiled today by Jim Balsillie.
With a focus on fan-friendly cutting edge designs, the new Copps Coliseum would feature a soaring atrium-style entrance lobby, a range of luxury boxes, new lounges and restaurants, food and bar amenities throughout and capacity for more than 18,000 spectators. The design also fully addresses requirements the NHL has previously communicated for Copps Coliseum.
The design is by one of the world’s leading sports facility architectural firms BBB Architects and its subsidiary group, Stadium Consultants International (SCI), which is also currently working on renovations at Madison Square Garden in New York (home of the New York Rangers) and Nassau County Coliseum (home of the New York Islanders). The design for Copps Coliseum is aimed at improving the fan experience, from proximity to players, to viewing positions and entertainment options. Full details will be posted at www.makeitseven.ca.
“A new team for the best new hockey market deserves spectacular new home ice, and that’s exactly what the upgraded Copps Coliseum would offer,” said Balsillie. “This facility will deliver unparalleled excitement and bring fans closer than ever to the action.”
The revitalized Copps Coliseum would also offer a year-round state-of-the-art venue for concerts, conferences, and trade shows, adding to Hamilton’s already impressive conference hosting capabilities through its Hamilton Place facilities.
The estimated cost for the long-term renovation of Copps Coliseum is $150 million in 2007 dollars (the year the last detailed construction estimate was calculated). The estimate could vary significantly based on timelines, approvals and access to the facility for construction purposes.
Highlights include:
New atrium-style lobby with major ticketing area and new street-level retail
New main concourse with new finishes throughout and direct access to lower seating bowl
New Club Lounge and Club Seating Section
50 Mid-Level Private Suites, 20 new “Bunker Suites” with prime seats in first six rows “between the blue lines”
4 Group Suites at mid-level plus Group Sales/Party Deck in upper seating bowl
New Home & Visitor Hockey Club Locker Rooms
All new rink surface, ice plant and climate control systems
All new upholstered seating throughout
Editors' Notes:
$150 mil in 2007 dollars. That must be close to $200 mil with the way prices for building materials have went up in the last 2 years. And to think Balsillie has generously offered to kick in a whopping $20 million towards the arena upgrades. Asper is putting in more money for the Bomber/U of M stadium while it's cost is much less overall.
This will get taxpayers fuming in Ontario while millions of them face job loss and auto sector bailouts. I can only imagine what Leaf-fan-taxpayers will be saying to the Ontario and federal governments.
So nice for plans to be drawn up. We could have sold them plans for several rink ideas tossed around Manitoba in the last 15 years. Talk is cheap especially when Balsillie is talking.
Oh and by the way, 74 suites (only 54 view the ice/concerts) for southern Ontario is too small considering Calgary is already looking at a new rink mainly because the number of boxes (75) are too few.
Hamilton you could do so much better! Balsillie should be footing 100% of the rink modernization costs since he's trying to get a team for about $200 million less than what an expansion franchise would normally cost that area. And he knows it!
Chris
Friday, May 29, 2009
www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/05/29/balsillie_copps_announcement/
Plans to transform Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum into a spectacular home arena for a new Southern Ontario NHL franchise were unveiled today by Jim Balsillie.
With a focus on fan-friendly cutting edge designs, the new Copps Coliseum would feature a soaring atrium-style entrance lobby, a range of luxury boxes, new lounges and restaurants, food and bar amenities throughout and capacity for more than 18,000 spectators. The design also fully addresses requirements the NHL has previously communicated for Copps Coliseum.
The design is by one of the world’s leading sports facility architectural firms BBB Architects and its subsidiary group, Stadium Consultants International (SCI), which is also currently working on renovations at Madison Square Garden in New York (home of the New York Rangers) and Nassau County Coliseum (home of the New York Islanders). The design for Copps Coliseum is aimed at improving the fan experience, from proximity to players, to viewing positions and entertainment options. Full details will be posted at www.makeitseven.ca.
“A new team for the best new hockey market deserves spectacular new home ice, and that’s exactly what the upgraded Copps Coliseum would offer,” said Balsillie. “This facility will deliver unparalleled excitement and bring fans closer than ever to the action.”
The revitalized Copps Coliseum would also offer a year-round state-of-the-art venue for concerts, conferences, and trade shows, adding to Hamilton’s already impressive conference hosting capabilities through its Hamilton Place facilities.
The estimated cost for the long-term renovation of Copps Coliseum is $150 million in 2007 dollars (the year the last detailed construction estimate was calculated). The estimate could vary significantly based on timelines, approvals and access to the facility for construction purposes.
Highlights include:
New atrium-style lobby with major ticketing area and new street-level retail
New main concourse with new finishes throughout and direct access to lower seating bowl
New Club Lounge and Club Seating Section
50 Mid-Level Private Suites, 20 new “Bunker Suites” with prime seats in first six rows “between the blue lines”
4 Group Suites at mid-level plus Group Sales/Party Deck in upper seating bowl
New Home & Visitor Hockey Club Locker Rooms
All new rink surface, ice plant and climate control systems
All new upholstered seating throughout
Editors' Notes:
$150 mil in 2007 dollars. That must be close to $200 mil with the way prices for building materials have went up in the last 2 years. And to think Balsillie has generously offered to kick in a whopping $20 million towards the arena upgrades. Asper is putting in more money for the Bomber/U of M stadium while it's cost is much less overall.
This will get taxpayers fuming in Ontario while millions of them face job loss and auto sector bailouts. I can only imagine what Leaf-fan-taxpayers will be saying to the Ontario and federal governments.
So nice for plans to be drawn up. We could have sold them plans for several rink ideas tossed around Manitoba in the last 15 years. Talk is cheap especially when Balsillie is talking.
Oh and by the way, 74 suites (only 54 view the ice/concerts) for southern Ontario is too small considering Calgary is already looking at a new rink mainly because the number of boxes (75) are too few.
Hamilton you could do so much better! Balsillie should be footing 100% of the rink modernization costs since he's trying to get a team for about $200 million less than what an expansion franchise would normally cost that area. And he knows it!
Chris