Entertainment centres costly everywhere

[posting]

A quick history lesson on the problem of stadium development from New York City. The proposal for taking parkland (similar to the original LVEC site in Kingston) for Yankee Stadium raises a number of issues involving the public health, the environment, and whether what the community is getting in return is a fair trade.


Yankee Stadium Parkland Swap
Gotham Gazette March 22, 2006

The main person to thank for this mess is Robert Moses, which is quite ironic given Mr. Moses's stature as the parks czar for all those years. Moses insisted that we were better off with a publicly funded stadium on developing parkland in Flushing-Meadows than having a privately funded stadium off Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. He insisted that nobody was interested in taking public transportation to games, and that everybody wanted to drive. Moreover, this was the first time that taxpayers got involved in funding privately owned sports businesses.

At this point, Yankee Stadium and the land on which it sits were privately held. But it gave the Lindsay administration solid footing to have the city buy the stadium and the land (they were owned by separate companies, oddly enough), fund a $120 million renovation that we would still be paying off 33 years later, and transfer the maintenance responsibilities to the Parks Department. Yankee Stadium may have an interior altered from its 1923 opening, but the structure itself is essentially the same today as it was then. The proper thing to do would be for the city to landmark the building, sell the stadium and the land on which it sits to the highest bidder, and absolve taxpayers of funding privately owned sports businesses. But our landmarks commission is not independent and doesn't give a darn about life outside Manhattan.

Call it the domino theory of sports stadiums. Now the city and state taxpayers face the very real danger of paying a minimum $1.5 billion to fund new mallparks for the Yankees, Mets, and Nets (none of these proposals has a cap on public spending). A generation from now, perhaps one of these or another wealthy sports business will ask for a publicly funded parking lot and shopping mall in Central Park, a grass-and-trees museum for wealthy white people. That's what it will take for somebody to stand up and notice.

One last person to thank for this sad turn of events: yourself. People get what they vote for.

[Exhibitionist]

Yankee Stadium raises a number of issues involving the public health, the environment, and whether what the community is getting in return is a fair trade.

Yankee Stadium? Example -your kidding right? The LVEC is NOT a giant 100,000 seat baseball stadium nor a Memorial Centre.

LVEC - is small and means a multipurpose, entertainment facility - NOT a giant billion dollar "baseball" stadium.

I am not sure if your suggesting the Memorial Centre sits on private or public land - which was up for sale? Because your article clearly points out the Y stadium sat on "private land".? I don't get the comparison????

The property is not completely owned privately at Anglin Bay.

The property at the Memorial Centre is "publically" owned. (So, I do not get your logic.)

A full retrofit / UPDATE - would be required in any public or private building if the local safety codes for
electrical, heat, handicap access.. or structural integraty is NOT up to code. No matter what facility (public/private)

Insurance is increased for any and all saftey concerns, added "risk" or any deviation of the code.

Memorial or Anglin Bay still falls under these requirements.

Certainly you are in the real world and KNOW - 30 years to pay off anything more than a car is normal! Right?

I think the idea of a public/private facility is fine. (Especially in THIS country.)
- With business plans, responsibilities, security bonds and contracts and stipulations firmly in place.

We are NOT the U.S or NEW YORK - where free enterprise and money talks and "private property is a absolute right".

I think the main point should have been - that the North Block site (which is fully publicaly owned) is the absolute worst investment for such a facility. Anglin Bay was the best site all along. But, you (most) fail to even understand this.

Just a point:

Anglin Bay site = $ 37,000,000

North Block = 30% smaller facility & publically owned property = $ 37,000,000

Can you see something more interestingly finacially wrong - than the Yankee Stadium example.

[Evelyn King]

What you haven't factored in on the $37 million for the Anglin Bay site is the cost to find another site for Metalcraft.

Regards,

Evelyn

[Exhibitionist]

In fact; I have factored the move in..........

(The new location is also available.) Quite near their current one!

Read the business plan. !

Again; it is a better location (long term) than North Block (hands down).

- we get 30% more facility - to make it a multipurpose facility - thus making it more viable economically and culturally.

This is very easy math.

But, unfortunately most people here are coming from: "armchair opinions/experience" are a certain tunnel vision on this subject.

It has been the main problem with the site debate. (no balanced, practical experience!)

Again still - $37,000,000 - but the faclity now has NO parking, NO green space, little multipurpose usage, and is 30% smaller!

Ya - thats a great, practical and reasonable use of taxpayers investment.

And you /others went for it!

PLEASE - remind me never to have you folks elected or incharge of any City or
otherwise finances.

[Lydia]

Okay folks, Surprise, Surprise, I agree with *************.

NO LVEC. I would never allow it on Anglin Bay, and SINCE *************, (Oh Wise one) says that North Block is the worst. He has convinced me.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LVEC.

BECAUSE of the business plan, LET'S SCRAP IT. PERIOD. I'd rather loose $500,000 than the Millions it would cost in 30 years lol lol

[Exhibitionist]

It was the right location for practical, prudent economic reasons only that Anglin Bay was the "preferred location".

i.e parking, marketing appeal, multipurpose use, great site lines and 30% more for the money.

More "self concerned" Rideau condo owners, KCAL and self proclaimed tax groups with a military background.....
are the ones that (skewed) public opinion/councillors - for the move to the North Block. Thus, weaking the original business plan inwhich the LVEC was based on.

These groups (most orginate from Toronto) are more interested in "their" condo vista, retirement in peace, self indulged lifestyles downtown than any investment into their new city or decent jobs for the locals.

But, all that said - the funding grants are not in place and timing is everything.

Thus; the LVEC is likely doomed and thanks to the (Toronto folks) we are left with the aged Memorial Centre
and another blow to the job market.

Way to go.

Enjoy your retirement.

[posting]

City of Kingston

For Immediate Release
April 4, 2006, 4:30 p.m.

For further information contact:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer 613-546-4291, extension 3116 (cell 613-329-3462)

Sales Of Sports, Entertainment Centre Suites Begin

The City of Kingston is offering the public an opportunity to purchase the keys to one of 25 private suites that will be constructed as part of the proposed Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre. Each suite provides an ambiance for enjoying the action of a hockey game, concert performance or your favorite special event.

Suites will feature similar amenities as those within other new event facilities across Ontario, including upholstered seating overlooking the ice surface and staging areas, in-suite catering, a large wall mounted flat screen cable television and telecommunication servicing. Owners will also be able to customize the finish of their suites by choosing from a variety of decorating packages.

In addition to enjoying the action of future Ontario Hockey League games from the comfort of your private suite, owners will have first right-of-refusal on all other concerts and special events held at the Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre.

"The Business Plan estimates that 11 concerts will come to the Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre each year," said acting Commissioner of Sustainability and Growth, Paul MacLatchy. "Canada's largest event promoters - House of Blues and Clear Channel - estimate that 20 to 25 concerts will likely come to Kingston each year. This will bring the total event days to well over 50, plus an additional 50-plus hockey events, including Kingston Frontenacs hockey games."

In addition to ice shows, children's concerts, performing arts entertainment, sporting and gardening shows and other local, provincial and national sporting events, the Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre will also provide a venue for potential marquis events such as the Memorial Cup and the Canadian Juno Music Awards.

"Kingston is home to a number of talented musicians and athletes with national and international success," said MacLatchy. "I can't think of anything more fantastic than being able to watch our home town heroes at a future Juno Awards ceremony, the Memorial Cup or the National Figure Skating Championships held right here in the Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre."

The Kingston Sports and Entertainment Centre, formerly referred to as the LVEC, will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility located downtown within a central business district block bounded by Ontario Street, Barrack Street, King Street and Place D'Armes.

The private suites will range in size from 8 to 12 seats. The annual licensing fee will also vary between $12,000 to $18,000 depending on the size and location of the suite.

In addition to the 25 private suites, the City will own two, 25-seat party/event suites. "The party and event suites will be available to not-for-profit organizations for fundraising, as public rentals and for other City and community uses," said MacLatchy.

All of the 25 suites offered will be granted based on a priority lottery to individuals and corporations who finalize their commitment by submitting a pre-licensing application and $1,000 deposit by May 5, 2006.

Confirm your commitment today by calling 546-4291, extension 3122 or by e-mail to <mailto:suites@cityofkingston.ca</a (suites@cityofkingston.ca%3C%2Fa)>.


For more information, visit <http://www.cityofkingston.ca/suites/>.


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