OT: Oilers getting help from UM prof for new arena
Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz's group is looking to build a new arena in the city's downtown. Moving from their outdated 1970's built Colosseum (Rexall Place) which is in an undesirable part of town. The Oilers have sought the assistance of Professor Mark Rosentraub of the University of Michigan.
U-M's assistance in making my home town better is much appreciated. Go Blue!
February 25th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
It's amazing how few 1970s sports stadiums have aged well. Hopefully cities will get it right this time around.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
What is the typical lifetime on a sports arena? I know there are some that have been around forever. I guess my question is more along the lines of how long is a stadium usually around before people start complaining that is is an outdated piece of crap?
February 25th, 2011 at 5:31 PM ^
It seems to have decreased as time has gone on. Pre-WWII stadiums/arenas often lasted for decades (and the ones still standing are usually revered), while the 1960s/1970s ones seem to have worn out their welcome within a couple of decades. Maybe 1980s ones can be added to that list, too (the Skydome, Pro Player Stadium, etc).
I can't even remember a time when Crisler Arena (built in 1967) wasn't complained about. It seems to have been "outdated" ever since the Breslin Center was built (1989), if not even before.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
before i read the message, i knew you were talking about him. i had a class with rosentraub. he's real smart. very interesting class. and in case you were wondering, he's very jewish. he said schlep a lot. i bet if they try to move the pistons to downtown detroit, he would be involved somehow.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:17 AM ^
At least you didn't refer to people of Irish descent as "gingers." 7 out of 10 for effort.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:20 PM ^
Oiler fans always distinguished themselves from Calgary, as the more working class fans. Now there arena is in a bad part of town? Before you fix the arena, you need to fix the team. Start making the playoffs first.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:20 PM ^
The bigger issue is that the arena is outdated. Oiler fans still fill the building to capacity every night even when the team is not competitive in an outdated rink.
So are you saying that since Oiler fans have established themselves as a working class and extremely loyal fanbase they should not want a modern arena downtown?
This narrow view of yours is ridiculous. Edmonton is a city that will sell out a bigger arena when built and it could use a downtown arena district to revitalize a boring unused downtown core.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
Isn't that why the 100 is under the pct column
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February 25th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
Its still an interesting link to look at.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:42 PM ^
What's going on with #9 on that list?
February 25th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
Thats interesting that the wings have a higher percentage on the road than at home.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:31 AM ^
And there are Wing fans everywhere you go. When they played Tampa and Florida, it looked like half the crowd was Red.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:49 PM ^
So...the Oilers are going to start playing in a space ship? Damn, space bitches, space.
February 25th, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
Has anyone seen these bottom up beer taps in person?
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/02/24/simon.no.more.beer.lin…
February 25th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
cool. maybe after that one he can have a hand in making a new one for the wings. they certainly deserve it.