Criteria for new arena

[Morticia]

My only concern is the fact that most people want the new arena where the Lower Level parking is. Has anyone noticed the current parking problem downtown? The parking garage near the bus terminal is closed down (condemned I think?) In the last 8 months, 2 other pay parking lots have been become private. The existing parking lots are either ridiculously priced ($12/day anyone?) or impossible to get a permit for. And now you want to take away the Lower Level parking lot? I work downtown and for what I make per hour, the $38.50 a month that it costs me to park is affordable. I for one do NOT want to see an arena built there. Don't get me wrong... I am all for a new arena.. just not in the Lower Level Parking Lot...

[AlphaDog]

Originally Posted by Morticia

My only concern is the fact that most people want the new arena where the Lower Level parking is. Has anyone noticed the current parking problem downtown? The parking garage near the bus terminal is closed down (condemned I think?) In the last 8 months, 2 other pay parking lots have been become private. The existing parking lots are either ridiculously priced ($12/day anyone?) or impossible to get a permit for. And now you want to take away the Lower Level parking lot? I work downtown and for what I make per hour, the $38.50 a month that it costs me to park is affordable. I for one do NOT want to see an arena built there. Don't get me wrong... I am all for a new arena.. just not in the Lower Level Parking Lot...

BOOO. WALK to work. You don't live far

I think there's enough space in the lower lot area for a rink and a multi-level parking lot there. Someone did a footprint graphic of that area and posted it on here awhile back and I seem to recall there being enough space.

[Morticia]

okay... I may not live far.. but what about those who do? many of my coworkers come in from welland, port colborne and fort erie.. they cant walk... and besides.. i am so not walking across the burgoyne bridge at 6:15am in the dead of winter... lol

[AlphaDog]

Originally Posted by Morticia

okay... I may not live far.. but what about those who do? many of my coworkers come in from welland, port colborne and fort erie.. they cant walk... and besides.. i am so not walking across the burgoyne bridge at 6:15am in the dead of winter... lol

My msg was to YOU specifically

I'll have to search the forum when I have more time and see if I can find that image with the 2 footprints of the arena/parking next to each other.

[dogsphotog]

Originally Posted by Morticia

My only concern is the fact that most people want the new arena where the Lower Level parking is. Has anyone noticed the current parking problem downtown? The parking garage near the bus terminal is closed down (condemned I think?)

Demolition I believe has begun on it,and construction should start in May I think. The design is nice, with basement parking for permits, upper paid parking, and storefronts on street level.

Again, another project we are currently involved with.

[AlphaDog]

Arena + parking:
http://forum.icedogfans.com/showpost...&postcount=104

Just another cool image someone did:
http://forum.icedogfans.com/showpost...&postcount=143

[Morticia]

i know you were referring to me directly alpha..


Okay... the footprint proves that an arena and parking will fit down there.. but are the monthly parking fees going to stay affordable at $38.50/month or are they going to jump up to the $75+/month that many of the other lots are charging? My point is that the lower level parking is probably the last of the 'affordable' parking left downtown... let's not take that away as well.

[LocalSportsReport]

It is hoped that the arena will mostly fit on the unpaved portion of the lower level lot, leaving most of the paved parking lot available. However, once the art centre and Brock school is built, it may be difficult to find parking in the lower level lot during weekdays.

I also think that the city will want to make sure the new parking garage is close to capacity most days, since parking fees will cover the city's portion of the cost of the new garage.

I also want to point out that the only city owned land big enough for a new 5000 seat arena is the lower level lot or the current lot where the Garden City Arena complex is now located. If the city were to look at non-downtown locations, the size of the land needed increases tremendously since parking would also need to be included. For a 5000 seat arena, you need at least 1500 parking spots.

[hockeyfan]

After last night, can we add modern compressors and more emergency lighting to the list?
LOL

I'm all for a horseshoe design. In the era of netting, end seats aren't as good as they were. Brampton has what is basically a horseshoe design.

[AlphaDog]

Originally Posted by hockeyfan

After last night, can we add modern compressors and more emergency lighting to the list?
LOL

I'm all for a horseshoe design. In the era of netting, end seats aren't as good as they were. Brampton has what is basically a horseshoe design.

If you're referring to the air compressor that blows the horn after a goal, it's not that it's old or anything, but there's NO REASON to have the compressor for the horn INSIDE the arena !!! WHY they stick the compressor pump right above everyone's heads, instead of running an air line from somewhere, I have no idea. But where my seat is, it's *directly* over our heads, so after we score a goal we have to hear the compressor screaming in our ears for about a full minute each time. RUN A LINE PEOPLE, RUN A LINE!!

Our compressor at work for all our air tools is a good 100ft away from my work station and we have lines going 4X that far from the air tank.