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Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre (SOFMC)


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#161 aastra

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Posted 07 August 2012 - 04:27 PM

Methinks comparing newer facilities to older ones like those in Halifax or Saskatoon might not be so appropriate. Back in the early 2000s, what would the price tag have been for a 12,000 seat arena? $100 million? The small arena trend is real, as much as I might want to think it was just another Victorian excuse for underbuilding. They built small in places like London, Ontario and Toledo, Ohio, too. I'd say those facilities make for better comparisons. Long story short: I've come to terms with the Save-on Foods Centre. It's too small, yes, but not by much. Maybe by 1000-2000 seats.

Check out the situation in Allentown, PA. Small arena (8500 seats), but with a big price tag:
http://articles.mcal...ment-zone-acida

...the authority is expected to sell bonds to build the $158 million arena in time to host the Flyers' top minor league affiliate, the Phantoms, beginning in September 2013.

If the budget holds, Allentown is about to construct perhaps the most expensive arena ever built exclusively for minor league hockey.

Victoria's arena ended up looking like quite a bargain. Attractive building, decent facility, but just a bit too small.

So when the time comes to build the next arena, how big should it be? Where should it be located?

#162 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 07 August 2012 - 04:53 PM

Methinks comparing newer facilities to older ones like those in Halifax or Saskatoon might not be so appropriate. Back in the early 2000s, what would the price tag have been for a 12,000 seat arena? $100 million? The small arena trend is real, as much as I might want to think it was just another Victorian excuse for underbuilding. They built small in places like London, Ontario and Toledo, Ohio, too. I'd say those facilities make for better comparisons. Long story short: I've come to terms with the Save-on Foods Centre. It's too small, yes, but not by much. Maybe by 1000-2000 seats.

Check out the situation in Allentown, PA. Small arena (8500 seats), but with a big price tag:
http://articles.mcal...ment-zone-acida

Victoria's arena ended up looking like quite a bargain. Attractive building, decent facility, but just a bit too small.

So when the time comes to build the next arena, how big should it be? Where should it be located?


I've always been the first to say we got a heck of a good deal on our rink, a great facility for the price. I credit Alan Lowe.

I wonder if there is just no way to make an arena that has expansion opportunities. Jack the roof up higher on the initial build, and then maybe you could have room to add an extra tier later? I dunno, I guess an arena with one more tier also must be wider to begin with.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#163 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 07 August 2012 - 04:56 PM

Check out the situation in Allentown, PA. Small arena (8500 seats), but with a big price tag:
http://articles.mcal...ment-zone-acida


"The Ralph" is no slouch:

Ralph Engelstad Arena, which seats 11,640, opened on October 5, 2001 and is located on the UND campus.[1] The REA is used by the UND men's and women's ice hockey teams. The arena also hosts many non-athletic events including concerts and a yearly circus. Called the "Taj Mahal of hockey," $110 million arena was built with materials that would not usually be found in such a facility.[1][2] For instance, the concourses of the REA are covered in granite flooring, each spectator seat is made of cherry wood and leather upholstery, escalators bring spectators between levels, and full-color LCD displays dot the arena.[1] The REA has been called one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world.[1][3] Former NHL hockey player Wayne Gretzky has called the structure "one of the most beautiful buildings we have in North America."[4]


http://en.wikipedia....Engelstad_Arena
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#164 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 14 September 2012 - 07:33 AM

They have lost their last appeal of the liquor license suspension.

Journey, Metric or a bunch of hockey games could be "dry".
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#165 martini

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Posted 14 September 2012 - 08:11 AM

They have lost their last appeal of the liquor license suspension.

Journey, Metric or a bunch of hockey games could be "dry".


Wow, this has been so drawn out and ridiculous.

But if it's dry...oh well. I actually have never bought a drink at SOFA aside from water.

#166 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 14 September 2012 - 08:30 AM

I'm guessing the restaurant/lounge runs under a different license? They serve spirits. That could make it popular at games. That's where I usually go, it's a bit of a secret that you can go there after period one.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#167 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 06:28 AM

Arena liquor ban to be appealed

Times Colonist September 15, 2012 5:03 AM


Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre's ongoing battle over a 10-day suspension of its liquor licence will be going back to the B.C. Court of Appeal, the arena's lawyer says.


The issue dates back to November 2007, when a Victoria police sergeant saw an underage youth taking a sip of beer from a plastic cup at a Salmon Kings game. Police found that four other minors had also consumed beer at the game, and all were ejected by arena security.


In other news, since 2007, underage area youths have consumed a collective total of 207,432 liters of alcoholic beverages without incident, and Mulligan Pearson Tam has collected $172,734 in legal fees from RG. Taxpayers have put up a similar amount to pay the liquor authorities' lawyers on this case. If those taxpayers are successful in winning this case, they will enjoy the immeasurable benefits of no alcohol during 6 more events at the arena.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#168 martini

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 11:03 AM

Arena liquor ban to be appealed

Times Colonist September 15, 2012 5:03 AM






In other news, since 2007, underage area youths have consumed a collective total of 207,432 liters of alcoholic beverages without incident, and Mulligan Pearson Tam has collected $172,734 in legal fees from RG. Taxpayers have put up a similar amount to pay the liquor authorities' lawyers on this case. If those taxpayers are successful in winning this case, they will enjoy the immeasurable benefits of no alcohol during 6 more events at the arena.


A sip of beer. Is there video evidence of this teen buying said beer?

This is utterly insane.

Is there a link to the article VHF?

#169 spanky123

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 02:24 PM

^^ I don't think that fines should apply only to those who cannot afford a legal defense. I have no idea why RG is throwing so much money at this, but they will also be paying a portion of the LLB legal fees as well if they keep losing.

#170 Benezet

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 02:41 PM

...I have no idea why RG is throwing so much money at this...


Perhaps the legal costs would be considerably less money than the profits to be lost on 'dry' events...

#171 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 02:52 PM

Perhaps the legal costs would be considerably less money than the profits to be lost on 'dry' events...


True, and as I've noted previously in this thread, RG is paying lots of the fees in trade for arena advertising for the law firm. That advertising would likely go unsold if not for the trade.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#172 drt

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Posted 15 September 2012 - 05:42 PM

The idea that the arena will be suspended from serving liquor over this strikes me as absurd, and a quick Googling shows that there isn't a whole lot of precedent for it the world over. Googling "arena liquor licence suspension" turns up the SOFMC case as one of the top hits and not much else.

How aggravating would it be for a tourist to take in a hockey game or a concert and not be able to grab a beer because of some 4 year old incident? Personally I think it makes us look stupid.

#173 martini

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Posted 09 May 2013 - 09:42 AM

I'm curious...isn't the contract for naming rights coming up on it's 10th year?

2014?

Will it stay the same? Could we be seeing a changing of the guard?

ETA: Ok this is turning into an exercise in frustration.
Why can I not find any information online about the contract?
Apparently it was resigned last year?

#174 spanky123

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Posted 09 May 2013 - 12:27 PM

I'm curious...isn't the contract for naming rights coming up on it's 10th year?

2014?

Will it stay the same? Could we be seeing a changing of the guard?

ETA: Ok this is turning into an exercise in frustration.
Why can I not find any information online about the contract?
Apparently it was resigned last year?


If the contract was renewed I wonder if that means RG has actually now paid for the first one!

#175 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 09 May 2013 - 12:47 PM

I'm curious...isn't the contract for naming rights coming up on it's 10th year?

2014?

Will it stay the same? Could we be seeing a changing of the guard?

ETA: Ok this is turning into an exercise in frustration.
Why can I not find any information online about the contract?
Apparently it was resigned last year?


The RG deal was extended and some changes made when they secured the WHL team (more than two years ago). Not sure about naming rights.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#176 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 24 September 2013 - 02:28 PM

Cfax 1070 is reporting that the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and RG Properties has won a ridiculously long and expensive fight against a liquor suspension - from a single incident dating back to NOVEMBER 2007, where a 17-year-old was observed sipping beer, and others observed in possession of beer.
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#177 martini

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Posted 24 September 2013 - 05:02 PM

Cfax 1070 is reporting that the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre and RG Properties has won a ridiculously long and expensive fight against a liquor suspension - from a single incident dating back to NOVEMBER 2007, where a 17-year-old was observed sipping beer, and others observed in possession of beer.


Good! Now what has all this stupidity cost in legal fees?! :mad:

#178 Mr Cook Street

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Posted 09 September 2014 - 09:33 AM

http://www.vancitybu...g-rogers-arena/

 

"Much of what is in store is housed inside the the lower floors of a new 26-storey market rental residential building on the northwest corner of the arena. Construction on the first of four towers that will be wedged into the arena’s city block size lot first began in 2012.

Residents are not anticipated to move into the units until next year, but the lower five floors of additional concourse space, food and beverage options, and expanded amenities will open in time for the regular season opener on October 11."

 

 

Here's an idea for the large parking lot at the Arena.



#179 VicHockeyFan

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Posted 09 September 2014 - 09:41 AM

Perfect, that falls nicely in line with my 1/3-game/seat season tickets.

 

For HALF the price of regular season tickets, you buy a one-period ticket for your seat.

 

So, for example, you get to watch the second period of every game live.  Outside of your period, you either have to be out of the arena, or in the attached bars and watching on huge screens.  But the huge screens in the bar don't just have the TV play-by-play, they have an iso-cam for every player on the ice, plus replays playing while play carries on.  So you can watch 20 different feeds, of the game going on adjacent to your lounge.   Now Rogers Arena has a capacity of 60,000, rather than just 20k.


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<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><em><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I don’t need a middle person in my pizza slice transaction" <strong>- zoomer, April 17, 2018</strong></span></em></span>

#180 Mr Cook Street

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Posted 09 September 2014 - 10:01 AM

There definitely has to be some more opportunities for bars, lounges in or around SOFA. Not to mention some nice big residential towers with extra underground parking for the arena. 



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