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Post by Reesor on Jan 14, 2015 17:00:00 GMT -4
Next weekend the Cataractes are playing two outdoor games against Victoriaville and Quebec. I thought it would be a good opportunity to discuss whether or not a game in Halifax would be feasible. A few points to ponder: - Obviously the main concern for the team and the league would be revenue. This would depend of course on how many seats were available/sold, the price of each seat, the cost of putting on the event, and any TV revenue generated (Sportsnet/TVA Sports/Eastlink). The venue IMO would either be SMU, or the commons... both requiring temporary seating. When Touchdown Atlantic was in Halifax, they put 15,000 seats at SMU. Don't know if it's do-able for hockey or not. Average ticket prices in Quebec are here: www.ovation.qc.ca/Reservation/Billets/ChoixBillets.asp?CodeRepresentation=0Y00CW&LP=061x345&PER=06V1f45&Lang=FR- An added concern in Halifax would be the unpredictablilty of the weather. We can have +8 and rain just as easily as we can have -8 in the Winter. The ice would have to be able to hold up in warm temperatures, which would of course drive the cost of holding the event up. - I believe Halifax has the population to support an outdoor game. Would 15,000 fans show up if there were that many seats? I have nothing to base it on so I really don't know. I think there would be a huge walk-up crowd of people that wait to see what the weather is going to do before shelling out a $25+ ticket. The atmosphere and novelty of an outdoor game would bring quite a few fans out, but would it be enough to make a profit? We'll have to see how the games in Quebec do. It would be interesting to see if the league would pick Halifax for a game, or if they would pick Moncton due to an already existing stadium, and less chance of warmer weather hampering the ice.
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Post by SteveUL on Jan 14, 2015 17:13:28 GMT -4
I don't see it. I dislike these gimmicky games and don't see the charm. There is something special about playing at Yankee Stadium or the Big House in Michigan ... but not a make shift stadium at SMU.
I personally would not buy a ticket until I saw the weather forecast. .. and I doubt I'd be alone which could cause cash flow problems.
This isn't the NHL ... those games can draw people from all over North America ... nobody is going to Halifax to watch a Moose game outdoors ... no more than you'd get for an indoor game anyway.
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Post by catnut on Jan 14, 2015 17:20:33 GMT -4
One thing I like about these 2 games in Shawinigan is the stadium (rodeo stadium) is much more adapted to a hockey game than a baseball or football stadium. There's a roof over the stands and you're closer to the action. classiquehivernale.com/
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2015 17:24:28 GMT -4
I don't see it. I dislike these gimmicky games and don't see the charm. There is something special about playing at Yankee Stadium or the Big House in Michigan ... but not a make shift stadium at SMU. I personally would not buy a ticket until I saw the weather forecast. .. and I doubt I'd be alone which could cause cash flow problems. This isn't the NHL ... those games can draw people from all over North America ... nobody is going to Halifax to watch a Moose game outdoors ... no more than you'd get for an indoor game anyway. A couple buddies I know who are Leafs fan went to the Big House last year and froze their asses off. They said they would never do that again unless it was someplace warmer. It was so bad they actually considered starting a fight so they would get kicked out
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Post by Porkchop on Jan 14, 2015 17:24:50 GMT -4
I never ever saw the appeal to an outdoor game anywhere....even an NHL game I'd much rather watch it from inside instead of sitting 3 hours outside in -20 with a 20km/h wind blowing.
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Post by Porkchop on Jan 14, 2015 17:33:25 GMT -4
I don't see it. I dislike these gimmicky games and don't see the charm. There is something special about playing at Yankee Stadium or the Big House in Michigan ... but not a make shift stadium at SMU. I personally would not buy a ticket until I saw the weather forecast. .. and I doubt I'd be alone which could cause cash flow problems. This isn't the NHL ... those games can draw people from all over North America ... nobody is going to Halifax to watch a Moose game outdoors ... no more than you'd get for an indoor game anyway. A couple buddies I know who are Leafs fan went to the Big House last year and froze their asses off. They said they would never do that again unless it was someplace warmer. It was so bad they actually considered starting a fight so they would get kicked out Not sure, but I think I'd probably just leave if I wanted to go, instead of starting a fight. lol
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Post by Jack Bauer on Jan 14, 2015 17:53:08 GMT -4
I think it's a gimmick better used with another gimmick.
Can't understand why the NHL didn't make the all star game outdoors for that reason. That way the elements are not giving any team an advantage in a competitive game.
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Post by mooseinfo on Jan 14, 2015 18:04:24 GMT -4
Of course anything can happen with weather but that also could be the advantage of Halifax. Warmer. The oval is good to plus 10 once it is established and its in full sun. Universities are the other advantage, get them involved and they sit out in the cold!
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Post by Arnold Slick on Jan 14, 2015 18:39:08 GMT -4
One thing I like about these 2 games in Shawinigan is the stadium (rodeo stadium) is much more adapted to a hockey game than a baseball or football stadium. There's a roof over the stands and you're closer to the action. classiquehivernale.com/How much does that hold? It's good people will be closer to the action, but in another sense it's kind of funny to have this big event in a place that likely doesn't hold that much more than their actual home arena. Personally I have very little interest in an outdoor game taking place in the Maritimes.
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Post by Porkchop on Jan 14, 2015 19:57:38 GMT -4
play it on the oval.......place a net at both ends and use it as is....it would make for a very interesting game that would draw more than a regular set up.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2015 20:56:25 GMT -4
A couple buddies I know who are Leafs fan went to the Big House last year and froze their asses off. They said they would never do that again unless it was someplace warmer. It was so bad they actually considered starting a fight so they would get kicked out Not sure, but I think I'd probably just leave if I wanted to go, instead of starting a fight. lol They were a little drunk at the time
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2015 22:21:41 GMT -4
I would be one of the last minute guys. I have watched a few of the NHL games and am thinking it is way to cold to sit outside to watch this.
I do like porkchops idea.....that would be neat........which side to you go
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Post by Porkchop on Jan 14, 2015 22:28:48 GMT -4
I would be one of the last minute guys. I have watched a few of the NHL games and am thinking it is way to cold to sit outside to watch this. I do like porkchops idea.....that would be neat........which side to you go If you had someone with a good set of wheels, he may have to stop for a rest on a breakaway though.
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Post by SteveUL on Jan 15, 2015 7:21:11 GMT -4
play it on the oval.......place a net at both ends and use it as is....it would make for a very interesting game that would draw more than a regular set up. Put the nets back to back.
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Post by yesisaiditfirst on Jan 15, 2015 7:30:57 GMT -4
The difference there with Shawinigan is that stadium they use is as intimate as a regular arena. I like to be able to see the game- most of these winter classics you lose that and we would also lose our replay system too...of course if you cant see you also cant see the horrible Q officiating.
I was going to point out these cities and towns in Quebec all have Winter carnivals and people embrace winter events like this. Fans would drive up from Victo and QC for those games. It may appeal to families and promote their community ties.
In Halifax we generally despise winter and people will not pay to sit outside and shiver in it. Our indoor games appeal to families on weekends with kids and in comfort...This type of outdoor game may not appeal to that crowd as much in Halifax as the cozy indoor game with all the indoor amenities does.
If we had a little stadium like that Shawinigan one...maybe...
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