Belleville AHL

[BSensFan72]

A couple points :
Don't know what the annual costs are for OHL but it came out at the press conference it's a 3-4 million dollar operation a year?
Secondly they have signed an 8 yr lease with an option after 5 yrs to renegotiate and there in talks right now ( confirmed by both sides) to extend the 8 yr lease by 3-5 more years.
I've also heard on good authority (seeing how there are rumours out there that there moving to the CTC once the new rink is built ) that Melnyk will never own two NHL rinks? That he will need to sell the CTC to recoup some money?
All I know is AHL is here for minimum 8 yrs

 

[ImaBullsfan]

I broke down the numbers once before, what with Hamilton going from the AHL to OHL and if I recall, it generally costs an additional $100,000 more in salary as opposed to OHL Billet and scholarship costs to run an AHL team over an OHL team, and that's before travel costs are worked into the equation. That said, those travel costs are harder to gague now, as I believe the NHL contributes somewhat to travel expenses now, because of how many of the western teams demanded AHL teams be rellocated to California to ease their travel burdens. That said, I still doubt those travel costs are cheaper then the OHL being able to charter busses.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?p=110145607&highlight=ahl#post110145607

Here is the other thing, a lot of AHL teams are now owned by the NHL parent club and most of those clubs tend to be willing to tank losses in markets for to have a team closer to the NHL club, for faster less exhausting call ups. Case and point, the Marlies and Toronto, most of the West coast AHL teams now, the Moose and Winnipeg and soon the Ice Caps and Montreal. If the Sens end up owning the team, this is what is actually driving this, don't be surprised if Kanata or Gattineau ends up with the AHL club.

I think the situation is best summerized by Duane Rollins, a well known Toronto soccer buff who was also a Belleville fan.

"The best news of the AHL team moving to Belleville is that it is forcing renovations to arena that will eventually lead to return of Bulls."

I 100% agree, this will be a pit stop for the baby Sens, till they build them a new arena in Ottawa. But I heard that Melynk told the city, that he would Not leave the city without a team when the AHL leaves. That means OHL in 10 years boys and girls! The return of our beloved BULLS

 

[BSensFan72]

I have a feeling our minor hockey teams are going to be Senators....IF we do get OHL back so be it but not sure I'd go with Bulls.... that's over and done with, OHL would be fine but I'm thinking a new nickname is the way to go?

 

[three dog night]

What will tickets cost

 

[Canadian Game]

What will tickets cost

Nothing official yet. I've heard various rumours ranging from $20-$30. They are likely to have tiered pricing though depending on where you sit.

 

[Duke Guy]

"No rent for the first three years."

I hope the taxpayers of Belleville can stomach this agreement.

 

[Canadian Game]

$450,000 ($150,000 x 3 years) is just a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated $4million annual payroll and economic spin-off coming from it and from people going to the games. Many of the AHL Sens will be living, shopping, and dining here. They will also be paying taxes here too. There's the economic boost from the fans who will be supporting local business (I remember when Dem Bones would be packed after Bulls games, which closed not long after the team left).

Actually, part of the biggest irony I've seen so far is councilor Kelly McCaw who has been quite critical of the Sens deal. You'd think she'd be among the most excited because there's an opportunity for her as a realtor. People with good paying jobs will be looking for places to live. The spin-off will help the economy in many areas: realtors, lawyers, retail, restaurants, car dealers, theaters, hotels, healthcare industry, banks, you name it.

 

[HamiltonOHL]

I 100% agree, this will be a pit stop for the baby Sens, till they build them a new arena in Ottawa. But I heard that Melynk told the city, that he would Not leave the city without a team when the AHL leaves. That means OHL in 10 years boys and girls! The return of our beloved BULLS

That would be cool.. you think ohl would expand or relocate?

 

[ohloutsider]

I 100% agree, this will be a pit stop for the baby Sens, till they build them a new arena in Ottawa. But I heard that Melynk told the city, that he would Not leave the city without a team when the AHL leaves. That means OHL in 10 years boys and girls! The return of our beloved BULLS

10 years !!! A lot of forgettin time between now and then Big business guy tellin people exactly what they want to hear with lots of time in between to forget, Hmmmmm!

 

[bobber]

This thread should be an AHL thread sooner or later one would think

 

[BSensFan72]

My issue with the whole team moving to Ottawa when they get there new arena is a few things
1. He can't afford to keep both NHL arenas he has to sell to recoup some of his money?
2. If his intentions are having both teams in Ottawa? Why wouldn't he wait until his contract was up in Binghamton, buy the team then and move it to Ottawa.. Why buy it now and wait a minimum 8 yrs with the potential for 13 yrs to get them in Ottawa?

I guess we have to wait and see but the only way I see it working is both teams play outta one facility

 

[Mitts Marner*]

I want to know when they plan to start renovations. A project this extensive, shouldn't it have begun by now? I'm no expert on arena construction or anything like that, but there's a lot of structural work that needs to be done in a span of only 10 months.

 

[Canadian Game]

I want to know when they plan to start renovations. A project this extensive, shouldn't it have begun by now? I'm no expert on arena construction or anything like that, but there's a lot of structural work that needs to be done in a span of only 10 months.

I believe the plan is to begin renovations in early December.

I have the same thoughts. It's a very tight deadline. Their goal is for the first home game to be mid-December but I won't hold my breath. With that said, if they get the main things done relating to the ice, I have no problem going to games with some borded up areas while renovations are wrapping up behind.

 

[BSensFan72]

It looks like after reading the Agenda for Belleville City Council that Monday Nov. 14th there set to approve the General Contracter for the Yardman arena. By looking at all the reports that come with it they should be starting immediately after approval and the timeline is set out that they have the Season Opener the first week of November or second at latest with penalties set if they don't make the deadline

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

I don't think its going to be well supported in Belleville....just my gut feeling... the prices are a lot higher than junior hockey and last time I check not a lot of high paying jobs left in the city now.... mainly a senior aged fanbase....it just irks me that the city decides to put all this money into the out of date QSC after the junior team bolts......Can someone explain this to me?

 

[Canadian Game]

I don't think its going to be well supported in Belleville....just my gut feeling... the prices are a lot higher than junior hockey and last time I check not a lot of high paying jobs left in the city now.... mainly a senior aged fanbase....it just irks me that the city decides to put all this money into the out of date QSC after the junior team bolts......Can someone explain this to me?

The money had already been set aside for work that should have been done years ago, which previous councils put off until it was too late. At the press conference Jack Miller gave a blunt answer to someone's question that the money is already in the bank and therefore the tax implications on residents will be 0%. They've been setting the money aside while the Bulls were here, and during that time the city said the renos would happen in 2017 (I might be off by a year).

I'd much rather the renovations happen on the basis that we have a team guaranteed to be here for 8 years rather than the renos be approved with the hopes of attracting a team. Even if the Sens decide to leave after 8 years, our facility will be more more appealing for an OHL team to return.

There is also quite an economic spinoff from having a team here, especially AHL. Restaurants/bars, hotels, retail stores, theaters, and even the new casino (which the city will earn a portion of proceeds) will all benefit. With AHL players making a decent income, them and their families will also contribute by purchasing homes and paying taxes here, and therefore supporting realtors, car dealerships, financial institutions, grocery stores, etc.

 

[jason2020]

The money had already been set aside for work that should have been done years ago, which previous councils put off until it was too late. At the press conference Jack Miller gave a blunt answer to someone's question that the money is already in the bank and therefore the tax implications on residents will be 0%. They've been setting the money aside while the Bulls were here, and during that time the city said the renos would happen in 2017 (I might be off by a year).

I'd much rather the renovations happen on the basis that we have a team guaranteed to be here for 8 years rather than the renos be approved with the hopes of attracting a team. Even if the Sens decide to leave after 8 years, our facility will be more more appealing for an OHL team to return.

There is also quite an economic spinoff from having a team here, especially AHL. Restaurants/bars, hotels, retail stores, theaters, and even the new casino (which the city will earn a portion of proceeds) will all benefit. With AHL players making a decent income, them and their families will also contribute by purchasing homes and paying taxes here, and therefore supporting realtors, car dealerships, financial institutions, grocery stores, etc.

Plus the Sens likely will have part of there training camp there and maybe even a pre season game.

 

[Canadian Game]

If you put a deposit down for season tickets, check your emails. Looks like seat selection numbers have been given and they want people to fill out a season ticket holder survey.

A few things I noticed from the survey:
- Glass seats (rows 1-4) may come at a premium
- They're considering seating areas with food service (delivered to your seat)
- Ticket prices could be in the $28-$30 range for centers
- They're looking at offering Ottawa Sens fan experiences for season ticket holders

 

[jason2020]

1)Does anyone have renders of what it will look like.

2)Will the Yardman be able to host other events such as concerts.