Belleville Bulls 2014-15 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Renegader]

A group of Bulls fans have started a "Bring the bulls back to Belleville" group they had their first meeting today. I know they are petitioning the people of Belleville and have planned other things in the next week. Not too sure what will be the outcome but i commend All efforts and will help out all i can.

I wish them the best but it probably won't lead to anything. Unless the city actually does something to the barn we will never get a team back.

Perhaps their group should be called, "Make city council build a rink." Then perhaps we'll get our team back. Cue the.... "If you build it, it will come..."

 

[gary63]

A group of Bulls fans have started a "Bring the bulls back to Belleville" group they had their first meeting today. I know they are petitioning the people of Belleville and have planned other things in the next week. Not too sure what will be the outcome but i commend All efforts and will help out all i can.

As a 30 year plus season ticket buyer I was sure sad with the bad news a couple weeks ago . I hope this doesn't sound negative BUT having every Tom, Dick and Harry signing petitions does very little for the cause !!!! Let people who put their money where their mouth is sign a official petition ... 2500 Bull fans who prepaid their season tickets would mean more , IMO .. I will be the first to sign that petition

 

[Naz]

Sorry to hear Belleville's Bull's departure but to get another OHL team weather it's an expansion or relocating team Belleville will need an new arena or refurbish the Yardman, that was the issue that the Bull's are leaving Belleville in the first place.
hope you are successful in getting another OHL team

 

[brahmabull]

Sorry to hear Belleville's Bull's departure but to get another OHL team weather it's an expansion or relocating team Belleville will need an new arena or refurbish the Yardman, that was the issue that the Bull's are leaving Belleville in the first place.
hope you are successful in getting another OHL team

The Bulls were paying the city just a little over $100 000 a year for use of the Yardman arena, that was for ice time, dressing rooms, players and coaches lounge, training facility, office space and box office. Most of that space was used year round by the team. How long would it take the city to recover the 20-50 million dollars it would take to upgrade the Yardman or build a new arena?

The only way I would be satisfied about the OHL returning to Belleville is if any improvements to the current facility or the building of a new one were completely privately funded. I don't think any taxpayer money should be wasted in support of this business, and like commissioner Branch has said this is purely business. I don't see the city handing me millions of dollars for a new facility for my business, so why should they hand it to anyone else?

I have lost any and all use for the OHL, too understand just how messed up this league is look at the London Knights arguably considered the model of junior hockey. The city of London paid Ellis Don $42 million to build what is now called the Budweiser Gardens in return it leases the facility to the London Civic Center Corporation for $100 000 a year. The London Civic Corporation is a partnership of Global Spectrum and Ellis Don, at $100 000 a year it will take the city of London 420 years to recover the taxpayer money used to build that facility.

If we are to believe as commissioner Branch says and the OHL is just business the it should have to live or die on its own merits just like any other business should. And just like all other businesses when the product is sub standard like a losing season then the consumer should avoid that product until it improves. If someone were to purchase a car that only started less then half of the time they tried would they purchase another like it? True business is about keeping the customer satisfied, that has been something that is lacking in this league now and it shows. Attendance is down across the league, Ottawa had less the 2000 fans to a playoff game that they won.

 

[from1981]

A group of Bulls fans have started a "Bring the bulls back to Belleville" group they had their first meeting today. I know they are petitioning the people of Belleville and have planned other things in the next week. Not too sure what will be the outcome but i commend All efforts and will help out all i can.

If nothing else it will keep this fiasco fresh in the minds of voters so the next election will be painful for the current council members.

brahmabull: "Branch speak with forked tongue"

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

The Bulls were paying the city just a little over $100 000 a year for use of the Yardman arena, that was for ice time, dressing rooms, players and coaches lounge, training facility, officer space and box office. Most of that space was used year round by the team. How long would it take the city to recover the 20-50 million dollars it would take to upgrade the Yardman or build a new arena?

The only way I would be satisfied about the OHL returning to Belleville is if any improvements to the current facility or the building of a new one were completely privately funded. I don't think any taxpayer money should be wasted in support of this business, and like commissioner Branch has said this is purely business. I don't see the city handing me millions of dollars for a new facility for my business, so why should they hand it to anyone else?

I have lost any and all use for the OHL, too understand just how messed up this league is look at the London Knights arguably considered the model of junior hockey. The city of London paid Ellis Don $42 million to build what is now called the Budweiser Gardens in return it leases the facility to the London Civic Center Corporation for $100 000 a year. The London Civic Corporation is a partnership of Global Spectrum and Ellis Don, at $100 000 a year it will take the city of London 420 years to recover the taxpayer money used to build that facility.

If we are to believe as commissioner Branch says and the OHL is just business the it should have to live or die on its own merits just like any other business should. And just like all other businesses when the product is sub standard like a losing season then the consumer should avoid that product until it improves. If someone were to purchase a car that only started less then half of the time they tried would they purchase another like it? True business is about keeping the customer satisfied, that has been something that is lacking in this league now and it shows. Attendance is down across the league, Ottawa had less the 2000 fans to a playoff game that they won.

While you do make a solid argument, a new arena or an upgraded facility can also potentially be used for more than just hockey. Take for example the Essar Centre in the Sault. The former Memorial Gardens lacked any modern necessities to facilitate any large trade show, festivals, concerts, sporting events etc. Once the Essar Centre (formerly Steelback Centre) was built, the Sault started getting alot of these events that have generated millions of dollars in tourism and economic activity in the city; events like national curling tournaments, the CARHA hockey tournament, numerous concerts, the OHL All-Star Game, the Telus Cup and other hockey tournaments, in addition to larger crowds to Hounds games, all of which inject money back into the community directly and indirectly.

Point is while an OHL team may be the primary tenant, there are other uses for a modern arena that will help recoup tax payer dollars in a much shorter time than hundreds of years.

 

[brahmabull]

While you do make a solid argument, a new arena or an upgraded facility can also potentially be used for more than just hockey. Take for example the Essar Centre in the Sault. The former Memorial Gardens lacked any modern necessities to facilitate any large trade show, festivals, concerts, sporting events etc. Once the Essar Centre (formerly Steelback Centre) was built, the Sault started getting alot of these events that have generated millions of dollars in tourism and economic activity in the city; events like national curling tournaments, the CARHA hockey tournament, numerous concerts, the OHL All-Star Game, the Telus Cup and other hockey tournaments, in addition to larger crowds to Hounds games, all of which inject money back into the community directly and indirectly.

Point is while an OHL team may be the primary tenant, there are other uses for a modern arena that will help recoup tax payer dollars in a much shorter time than hundreds of years.

You make a good point, but the only problem with that is other activities are not guaranteed and we would have to compete with nearby larger communities in Kingston and Oshawa.

 

[MrCheapGuy]

Have you been to the KRock Center? Dreadfully designed. Sight lines suck, concessions are poor and expensive and who puts dark gray seats in an arena where a puck get airborne often enough that you can no longer see it. That is if you can find an event that is actually worth seeing. Not to mention parking issues in both Oshawa and Kingston. People will come to Belleville for concerts etc etc. Now if a casino was close by...

 

[ImaBullsfan]

These are all great points and discussions. That's what i am hoping for, Maybe this group can bring forward a study\facts to council to get things talked about. Any dialogue is good in my opinion.

 

[ImaBullsfan]

Total bush league by Dale Hawerchuk, up 7-2 with 3 plus minutes left, puts his #1 power play unit on the ice! WTF

 

[OlZamMan]

Total bush league by Dale Hawerchuk, up 7-2 with 3 plus minutes left, puts his #1 power play unit on the ice! WTF

I agree with you (and I'm a Colts STH). I too was surprised when he sent that unit out.
The only room I'll give Dale on that was 1) the nature of the penalty - which was after the whistle, from behind a Colts player was put in a headlock and thrown to the ice. Many coaches will give "payback" on things like that. Do note that earlier he put the 3rd line out to start a powerplay. 2) this is a new set-up for the past 2 weeks on the Colts powerplay unit of putting Blandisi on the point and perhaps Dale wanted some extra game action practice for it. Yeah, that's right - the leagues' #1 scorer is now on the point instead of forward. Brilliant. Blandisi had a hard time of keeping the puck inside the blueline several times. Not his fault being put in a foreign position, but that's Dale. For some reason he has never trusted that 2 D-men can play on the powerplay.
I do see your point, and didn't like it either.
Nice turnout on the number of Bulls fans there tonight, putting one corner section full.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I have no problem with Barrie using their top unit. The OHL playoffs are no place to be taking it easy on anyone. The reason to consider benching your best players in that situation should be more to do with injury prevention rather than mercy.

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

These are all great points and discussions. That's what i am hoping for, Maybe this group can bring forward a study\facts to council to get things talked about. Any dialogue is good in my opinion.

A simple feasibility study looking at other cities that have recently built new arenas would bring to light all of the potential positives. I'm sure Belleville's council has delved into this, it's more so the issue of ascertaining the startup capital to build the arena ($50 million min.).

Keep in mind I am also going down the road of a NEW arena, not upgrading the Yardman; simple upgrades don't necessarily bring all the modern amenities that a newer arena has, which in turn may not bring in events, festivals, concerts etc. that otherwise require these amenities. Upgrades are only temporary and only delay the inevitable.

Hopefully the folks of Belleville can reiterate much of this to council though.

 

[Otto]

I have lost any and all use for the OHL, too understand just how messed up this league is look at the London Knights arguably considered the model of junior hockey. The city of London paid Ellis Don $42 million to build what is now called the Budweiser Gardens in return it leases the facility to the London Civic Center Corporation for $100 000 a year. The London Civic Corporation is a partnership of Global Spectrum and Ellis Don, at $100 000 a year it will take the city of London 420 years to recover the taxpayer money used to build that facility.

When you look only at the lease payments sure. But the residual affect of downtown revitalization and increased tourism has made the deal work out well for the city of London.

 

[brahmabull]

When you look only at the lease payments sure. But the residual affect of downtown revitalization and increased tourism has made the deal work out well for the city of London.

Yes that is a very good point, but unfortunately Belleville has a population of less then 50 000 where as London is over 350 000 so $50 million is a much bigger hit to the individual taxpayers of Belleville. I have been a loyal fan of the Belleville Bulls for literaly more then half of my life but unfortunately I just pray that the city does not do anything stupid to try and regain anohter OHL franchise. It is just to volitile of a buisness. After the Bulls leave Belleville that will be 10 teams that have changed citys just in the time that I have been following the league, and most of those have been within the last 10 years thats 50% of all teams in the league.

 

[Otto]

Yes that is a very good point, but unfortunately Belleville has a population of less then 50 000 where as London is over 350 000 so $50 million is a much bigger hit to the individual taxpayers of Belleville. I have been a loyal fan of the Belleville Bulls for literaly more then half of my life but unfortunately I just pray that the city does not do anything stupid to try and regain anohter OHL franchise. It is just to volitile of a buisness. After the Bulls leave Belleville that will be 10 teams that have changed citys just in the time that I have been following the league, and most of those have been within the last 10 years thats 50% of all teams in the league.

Oh I don't disagree with you at all. The model wouldn't make sense in Belleville.

 

[maldo]

Yes that is a very good point, but unfortunately Belleville has a population of less then 50 000 where as London is over 350 000 so $50 million is a much bigger hit to the individual taxpayers of Belleville. I have been a loyal fan of the Belleville Bulls for literaly more then half of my life but unfortunately I just pray that the city does not do anything stupid to try and regain anohter OHL franchise. It is just to volitile of a buisness. After the Bulls leave Belleville that will be 10 teams that have changed citys just in the time that I have been following the league, and most of those have been within the last 10 years thats 50% of all teams in the league.

So what does that tell you about the future of junior hockey.Only the strong larger(corporate ready) teams survive making a smaller league thus creating skilled feeder JR.B ,teir2 Jr. or more prospects darting state side for full rides. Is this what Branch wants.Not so sure I like it

 

[brahmabull]

So what does that tell you about the future of junior hockey.Only the strong larger(corporate ready) teams survive making a smaller league thus creating skilled feeder JR.B ,teir2 Jr. or more prospects darting state side for full rides. Is this what Branch wants.Not so sure I like it

Unforutunately I don't think that is how it is going to work, I think you can compare it in a way to corporate raiding. I think the number of teams will stay the same but will be bought used as leverage against a comunity and then ultimately sold and or moved to make the wealthy owner even more money.

 

[BigIce]

Any word on the attendance outlook for tonight and tomorrow in Belleville?
I'm thinking the 7th man could be an emotional factor.

 

[ImaBullsfan]

Mayor Taso Christopher, told reporters today that the ohl has no intention on a expansion team to Belleville in the near future and that us as fans should suck it up and move on! Are u kidding me! This is coming from a candidate that his top priority was to keep the team here ! LIAR And an idiot, one would think he would want a OHL team here since he owns half of a sports store?

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Well of course the league has no plans to expand to a city that they just recently removed a team from. Nothing has changed in that time period to show the league that the city is any more committed to creating a more viable facility.

I bet the OHL would recommit to Belleville the second the shovels broke ground to build a new facility, even if it meant playing at the Yardmen in the meantime. But you won't see a glimmer of interest from the league at least until a firm plan is in place to build a new rink.

 

[ImaBullsfan]

Politicians are so full of s@$t!

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

Mayor Taso Christopher, told reporters today that the ohl has no intention on a expansion team to Belleville in the near future and that us as fans should suck it up and move on! Are u kidding me! This is coming from a candidate that his top priority was to keep the team here ! LIAR And an idiot, one would think he would want a OHL team here since he owns half of a sports store?

Would be interested to see how the local media responds to this...

 

[JSavoire]

Politicians are so full of s@$t!

That's their livelihood unfortunately and then they wonder why no one wants to believe anything they say.

 

[canucks20]

Mayor Taso Christopher, told reporters today that the ohl has no intention on a expansion team to Belleville in the near future and that us as fans should suck it up and move on! Are u kidding me! This is coming from a candidate that his top priority was to keep the team here ! LIAR And an idiot, one would think he would want a OHL team here since he owns half of a sports store?

Are you sure that is what he said to the fans?

I thought he said to suck it up to council and that they need to be better in the future. Meaning they need to chance their stance and get a team.

I can't see Taso saying to suck up and move on. He is a big supporter of the Bulls and wants a team back in Belleville. He knows if something doesnt happen, he won't get re-elected.