Do you support the proposal for the new arena?

  • Yes

    Votes: 89 65.0%

  • No

    Votes: 39 28.5%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 9 6.6%
  • Total voters
    137
The general shape of the building is fine, I’m mostly concerned about the mash up of materials as others have mentioned.

If they keep it fairly simple and use some nice materials it’ll be okay. I wish they had of used more glass, that would’ve made it nicer IMO.
 
I saw somebody saying the rendering looked like a giant, deconstructed Ice Cream sandwich..

I can't unsee it now hahaha.

(I seriously hope more can be done with this exterior)
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What I don't get is the complete lack of windows along the upper section. I would assume there must be an upper concourse along this area. Surely there must be some opportunities to include windows in a concourse, especially given the fact this site would offer some incredible views of the downtown skyline. Having a massive blank wall on the exterior like they've done is a bit of a head scratcher to me.
 
Silence&Motion said:
One thing that this project definitely has going for it is that none of the streets in the area are car sewers. 104 Ave is a major factor in why Edmonton’s arena is such a failure at ground level.
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I thought the same thing, but it’s likely because vendors, bathrooms, etc. ring the outside of the concourse.
 
Silence&Motion said:
One thing that this project definitely has going for it is that none of the streets in the area are car sewers. 104 Ave is a major factor in why Edmonton’s arena is such a failure at ground level.
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104th street is a write off from the beginning, so there was little they could do with the streetscape of arena. Olympic way and 11th ave have much better opportunities for retail and streetscape., and even if the new arena isn't a fantastic cool design, the streetscape will be better than Rogers arena, and better than most other arenas in Canada.
 
Atticus said:
104th street is a write off from the beginning, so there was little they could do with the streetscape of arena. Olympic way and 11th ave have much better opportunities for retail and streetscape., and even if the new arena isn't a fantastic cool design, the streetscape will be better than Rogers arena, and better than most other arenas in Canada.
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The streetscape improvements and degree in which the area is/isn’t a car sewer is a bit of a distraction in making the area more vibrant - the uses aren’t changing from what currently exists (hockey + convention centre + 10 day cowboy festivals ). Even a moderately busier arena won’t make the area any less desolate until substantial residential development occurs over the next few decades. It’s kind of the whole argument for dense (lots of people) mixed use (doing different things) development. The current and future event centre area doesn’t add density or mixed uses, at least in the short term.

Further, all the side deals and chatter about parking lots that has leaked out over the past year bodes poorly no matter how nice the sidewalks are.

Based on the players involved and their core interests, the process so far, and the public subsidization of two separate, competing entertainment organizations jostling for parking rights adjacent to each other - flames and the event centre + Stampede - I don’t see a route to success here on grounds of vibrancy (beyond a bit of game traffic) regardless of what this ends up looking like.
 
The more I look at the rendering, the more I despise it. Obviously it’s not the final design, but there is no way they will deviate too far. This is basically their big idea and now they will just tweak and refine it a bit. There is literally nothing aesthetically pleasing or remotely interesting about the exterior in my opinion. I don’t even know what they can do to save it, especially with costs spiralling out of control. I guess all we can do is hope the interior and seating bowl is good.

Embarrassing work from HOK and dialog. I knew they should have went with Populous for the design. If this is all $600 million can buy than I might pull a Farkas and pull the plug until costs come down and we can build it right. Just my worthless two cents!
 
I wonder how much CMLC's podium stepback policy they put into the River District Master Plan has hurt this project. There doesn't appear to be that much room for the arena after you consider the extra wide sidewalks and the retail podium. There might just not be enough room to include any windowed space in the concourse
 
The Familia said:
The more I look at the rendering, the more I despise it. Obviously it’s not the final design, but there is no way they will deviate too far. This is basically their big idea and now they will just tweak and refine it a bit. There is literally nothing aesthetically pleasing or remotely interesting about the exterior in my opinion. I don’t even know what they can do to save it, especially with costs spiralling out of control. I guess all we can do is hope the interior and seating bowl is good.

Embarrassing work from HOK and dialog. I knew they should have went with Populous for the design. If this is all $600 million can buy than I might pull a Farkas and pull the plug until costs come down and we can build it right. Just my worthless two cents!
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The deal is done. I’m sure it has generous break clauses. Any expansions in scope from the city side will need to be paid for by the city. If this dies don’t expect it to come back within the decade. Nor would I count on a sports franchise being willing to partner.

there is no prospect of costs coming down - the whole inflation has ate into the budget is relatively small compared to the massive shift from 15,000 seat inverted bowl to 18,000 seat conventional layout.
 
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