Maritime Expansion

[shayman]

Since this thread has been bumped, we can now say that the honeymoon is still going strong. THF has been sold out for every game the Ticats played this season. Can't do any better than that.

Well, yeah, it helps that they built a stadium with 5,000 fewer seats than the previous one :-)

[R.J]

City Council votes no for stadium at Shannon Park.
http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax...nnon-park.html

[OV Argo]

City Council votes no for stadium at Shannon Park.


http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax...nnon-park.html

Frickin' @rse-holes.

Don\t really know much about Halifax (only visited once, and have a cousin who is a long-time resident); but seems to me, in my bit of reading on that Shannon Park site, that maybe it is kind of their version of Lansdowne Park in Ottawa? - even if only in that it is a prime piece of real estate in the heart of a city, that is sitting unused and that could be developed into something really special & nice - a multi use facility that could benefit many citizens? Maybe those city councillors don\t get that football is a CANADIAN game and that this stadium/facility could serve all of Atlantic Canada as a host for not only a CFL team (and become the only big league team in Atlantic Canada sports) but also other leagues and sports (say the Uteck Bowl in CIS ball, or big soccer tournaments) and for concerts. I wonder what the vote would have been if it had been about building a nice hockey arena there for a potential future NHL franchise?

[argolio]

I wonder what the vote would have been if it had been about building a nice hockey arena there for a potential future NHL franchise?

Probably a bigger NO vote since there is far less chance of Halifax ever getting an NHL team.

[paulwoods13]

There is no one with the $150-200M needed to build a stadium in Atlantic Canada. I'd love a team in Halifax, but until there is a major multi-sport international games that will trigger big govt funding, the idea of a CFL team out there is a pipe dream.

[R.J]

There is no one with the $150-200M needed to build a stadium in Atlantic Canada. I'd love a team in Halifax, but until there is a major multi-sport international games that will trigger big govt funding, the idea of a CFL team out there is a pipe dream.

The idea thrown out there has been to replicate Lansdowne Live, but I agree until Governments are willing to spend, it ain't going to happen.

[1argoholic]

Living close to Peterborough you can understand how some cities politics are SCREWED. Last year a developer came forward after buying a sweet chunk of Peterborough property and was going to put 90 to 100 million of his own money towards a new arena and development and the Petes would play there. The Memorial Centre is old and the Petes need a new home. The local government squashed the plans saying it didn't fit their needs, wants or location. UnFingreal. Everything in Peterborough takes a mere few minutes to get to. Not like building a new stadium in Newmarket to serve downtown TO.

[R.J]

Jeffrey Orridge just told me, #Halifax needs a good owner, stadium, and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen. #CFL #GreyCup103

— Steve Morley (@SteveMorley62) November 25, 2015

[AngeloV]

Jeffrey Orridge just told me, #Halifax needs a good owner, stadium, and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen. #CFL #GreyCup103

— Steve Morley (@SteveMorley62) November 25, 2015

I think the stadium is the biggest hurdle. If they can clear that, I think the others will fall into place.

[R.J]

I think the stadium is the biggest hurdle. If they can clear that, I think the others will fall into place.

I'm aware that there are interested parties, one of which is the Oland family, who are also looking into getting a new arena for the Mooseheads as well. It's continually brought up how "they're" keeping on eye on Ottawa and Lansdowne Live, so if it ever gets done, we could see a similar stadium and arena complex with an entertainment district. From my understanding, while Shannon Park is a no go right now, the business leaders actually want it to happen at the Dartmouth Crossing, which already is an entertainment district.

[Scooter McCray]

What about the Irving family? They own New Brunswick and are one of the wealthiest families in Canada. They would need to be involved. On a par with Thompson family who was a huge Argo fan while alive.

[Argocister]

Somewhere, in the last couple of weeks, I read that Halifax turned down a proposal for a stadium/arena complex for the city just recently. So I'm thinking the possibility of a Maritime expansion will be put on hold for another 5-10 years .

[Argo57]

Jeffrey Orridge just told me, #Halifax needs a good owner, stadium, and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen. #CFL #GreyCup103

— Steve Morley (@SteveMorley62) November 25, 2015

The new commish has it all figured out, you need a good owner, stadium and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen, Thanks Captain Obvious.

[Argocister]

The new commish has it all figured out, you need a good owner, stadium and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen, Thanks Captain Obvious.

where's that damn LIKE Button! < LIKE >

[R.J]

The new commish has it all figured out, you need a good owner, stadium and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen, Thanks Captain Obvious.

A lot of hate for the new commish, did he kick everybody's dog or something ?
Wait is that offensive to say that ?

[OV Argo]

[QUOTE=Argo57;74416]The new commish has it all figured out, you need a good owner, stadium and corporate sponsors for expansion to happen, Thanks Captain Obvious.[/QUOTE

Stadiums - particularly relatively modest ones that only seat 25 K or so, that the CFL now sees as their model - can get built ... yes they can, with fund$ coming from lots of places - federal (the new Liberal govt. just got a massive majority in Atlantic Canada - IF some big-wig within cared about Canadian football and the multi-faceted boost a stadium/entertainment facility could give to Atlantic Canada - this project would EASILY happen) provincial and municipal governments, local investors who have LOTS of money and care about the sport & community (see Ottawa's group now), AND, gasp, the CFL - ALL teams and led by a Commissioner who has some guts & vision - have some dollars they could set aside to contribute there - that's if they're not cheapskates. Combine all the above resources with a concerted effort led by the CFL that would believe expansion could help their sport/business a LOT (IMO - easily the single biggest thing the CFL could do to increase their brand & profile & prestige - expand to a 10 team coast to coast league in Canada - with 5 games on TV per week instead of 4, and 2 seperate Conference play-off semis = no one play-off game win to get to the GC) = the money could be put together. Sorry, financial experts who say no way.

But yes - this would take some vision instead of CFL myopia and cheap$kate greed. This" we kicked the tires a bit in the Atlantic but nobody home" routine by the CFL is total gutless hogwash IMO; they should have somebody full-time on the case - for years now - lobbying all 3 levels of govt., seeking out local business help and a CFL fund in place and growing for this cause. Orridge is not the guy there - I doubt. Could happen / shoulda happened by now - just IMO and sorry bout that to all the excuse makers coming up with reasons why it can't happen.

[ArgoRavi]

How much money do you want the league to kick in, OV?

[OV Argo]

How much money do you want the league to kick in, OV?

How bout starting with a 3 or 2 or even 1 million a year account (that could have been started years ago)? Too much you say and can't be done? Braley, Wet-and-all and Bob-O Young or the Saskatchewan Rough Riders have no money ? CFL teams and the league itself make no profits now? Can you show me the CFL's books that show ALL revenues including merchandise sales, corporate sponsors, TV revenues, etc. ?

[R.J]

It's easy when it isn't your money.

[OV Argo]

It's easy when it isn't your money.

Sure; just like it's easy to be a cheap$kate and myopic and claim there is no money.