Coyotes hire Arena Consultant - News in Two Weeks or Something

[ClassLessCoyote]

It usually takes me 30 minutes AT LEAST to get out of Westgate.

This is what Cardinals fans say after they leave Westgate from a Cardinals game. Try again!

 

[RemoAZ]

It could take that long to get out of Westgate....if you walked around the arena a couple times before going to your car.

 

[moosemeister]

It could take that long to get out of Westgate....if you walked around the arena a couple times before going to your car.

If I'm parking around the west gate area I never leave right after. I'll go have some nachos and a beer before I leave. It's just easier for me to leave when there is no traffic

 

[Jakey53]

If I'm parking around the west gate area I never leave right after. I'll go have some nachos and a beer before I leave. It's just easier for me to leave when there is no traffic

That's what we do. Why fight the traffic?

 

[kihekah19*]

It could take that long to get out of Westgate....if you walked around the arena a couple times before going to your car.

I get out of there in under five minutes every time. Don't know what you're talking about here Remo?
It's one of the best things about the area.

 

[kihekah19*]

It usually takes me 30 minutes AT LEAST to get out of Westgate. I park by the AMC though but to me it's like the lots are boxed in with 1 single exit.

I have no problems leaving downtown after Suns and DBacks games.

Do you walk the speed of a decrepit old man or what?

I never pay for lot G until just after the preseason games, so the season before last (knowing the team was going to be a dismal failure) I refused to pay any extra and parked out by AMC and it was no slower than G (5 Minutes TOPS). The trick is to get a move on, of course I'm smarter than the average bear.

 

[Murf]

 

[RemoAZ]

I get out of there in under five minutes every time. Don't know what you're talking about here Remo?
It's one of the best things about the area.

I was being sarcastic. You know, stroll around the arena a couple times before going to your car? That's the only way it would take you 30 minutes to get out of that lot. Comparing it to getting out of down town for a Suns game is ridiculous. You can catch the freeway at Camelback, Bethany or Glendale and there are several exits and places to park. I have never paid for parking and never will unless they rope the whole damn Westgate center off, which I think would be against some of the business's lease agreements. The best thing about Westgate is the availability of parking and easy freeway access from several points.

I get not wanting to travel from the East Valley. I physically couldn't make it to games with my current job if the team moves there so I get it. There's no reason to make **** up about Westgate to try and make it look like your reasons for wanting the team to move are anything but wanting them to be closer to you. We all want the team to be close to us and why wouldn't we?

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Downtown represents a nice balance for both EV and WV fans. Access would be through the 17, 10, Washington and Jefferson and would avoid the Deck Park Tunnel.

 

[Jamieh]

It's always been my opinion the GRA is one of the best arenas in NA for entry and exit. I doubt there are many hockey arenas in the NHL that fans can get to area and into arena faster than GRA for average fan time. Yes some East fans might take longer to drive there but the parking and exit would put them in line even with most arenas. There definitely isn't an easier one in Canada for drivers and transit users still take a lot longer than most think in Canada.

I was being sarcastic. You know, stroll around the arena a couple times before going to your car? That's the only way it would take you 30 minutes to get out of that lot. Comparing it to getting out of down town for a Suns game is ridiculous. You can catch the freeway at Camelback, Bethany or Glendale and there are several exits and places to park. I have never paid for parking and never will unless they rope the whole damn Westgate center off, which I think would be against some of the business's lease agreements. The best thing about Westgate is the availability of parking and easy freeway access from several points.

I get not wanting to travel from the East Valley. I physically couldn't make it to games with my current job if the team moves there so I get it. There's no reason to make **** up about Westgate to try and make it look like your reasons for wanting the team to move are anything but wanting them to be closer to you. We all want the team to be close to us and why wouldn't we?

 

[Jakey53]

It's always been my opinion the GRA is one of the best arenas in NA for entry and exit. I doubt there are many hockey arenas in the NHL that fans can get to area and into arena faster than GRA for average fan time. Yes some East fans might take longer to drive there but the parking and exit would put them in line even with most arenas. There definitely isn't an easier one in Canada for drivers and transit users still take a lot longer than most think in Canada.

That's why I don't understand why Edmonton build their new arena downtown. The traffic will be a nightmare.

 

[Jamieh]

I think it has a few thoughts. Transit is already there with the train. Cars will literally leave in all four directions. And it will bring business and vibe to the downtown area. And they might have taken a look at Ottawa and what a nightmare that arena is to get in and out of.

That's why I don't understand why Edmonton build their new arena downtown. The traffic will be a nightmare.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Downtown represents a nice balance for both EV and WV fans. Access would be through the 17, 10, Washington and Jefferson and would avoid the Deck Park Tunnel.

I dunno - I'd rather make the drive to Talking Stick than downtown. I know downtown Phoenix has had a lot of revitalization over the years but I hate the commute in and out and parking is an added cost.

Far easier for me to just hook onto the 101 and sling it around to the Via de Ventura area, even if it's a little longer of a hike, because it'd all be freeway time and no ingress/egress spaghetti. I'd also be fine with an ASU-area location if it is right off the 101 - but if it requires any penetration of the ASU surface streets I'm out. I go to Gammage maybe twice a year and each time it's a nightmare.

 

[zz]

I go to Gammage maybe twice a year and each time it's a nightmare.

I didn't realize how bad that situation was until I went to see the book or mormons last year. Gammage parking is awful! We showed up 30 minutes early and missed the first 5 minutes!

 

[mouser]

I've been parking in that campus garage just to the east of Gammage on Apache. A little longer walk to Gammage, but infinitely easier to get in and out of. It's been lightly occupied the past few times I've used it.

 

[Sinurgy]

I'm guessing the only way parking won't suck is if they put something near Talking Stick or if the Tempe location is located North of the 202. I originally voted for Tempe area but the more I've thought about the actual logistics the more I think the Talking Stick area makes the most sense. That said that huge open space that is the NorthWest corner of the 101 and 202 near Tempe would be pretty nice too. Downtown will suck from a commuting standpoint because as others have pointed out, the ingress and regress will easily chew up any time saved by being centrally located. Hell it takes the same amount of time to go to a Suns game as it does a Coyotes game even though the former is much closer to me.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I'm guessing the only way parking won't suck is if they put something near Talking Stick or if the Tempe location is located North of the 202. I originally voted for Tempe area but the more I've thought about the actual logistics the more I think the Talking Stick area makes the most sense. That said that huge open space that is the NorthWest corner of the 101 and 202 near Tempe would be pretty nice too. Downtown will suck from a commuting standpoint because as others have pointed out, the ingress and regress will easily chew up any time saved by being centrally located. Hell it takes the same amount of time to go to a Suns game as it does a Coyotes game even though the former is much closer to me.

Yeah, it's bad. I've visited friends in Mesa and the drive took less actual time than going to see a D'backs game.

A deal at Talking Stick has so many positives that I am totally flummoxed about why it's apparently IA's last resort. But, hey, I guess Phoenix is trying to offer taxpayer money, so...

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Yeah, it's bad. I've visited friends in Mesa and the drive took less actual time than going to see a D'backs game.

A deal at Talking Stick has so many positives that I am totally flummoxed about why it's apparently IA's last resort. But, hey, I guess Phoenix is trying to offer taxpayer money, so...

Who said that it's a last resort? Leblanc said that only Phoenix wanted their interest to be made public at this time and Leblanc was simply helping them along with it by noting it publicly. There's no saying at this point which location is the favorite of the ownership.

 

[RemoAZ]

I think the Indian money will be their only option. Can't see anything that has to do with taxes passing a vote. No way and Sarver isn't going to share jack.

 

[0point1]

I think the Indian money will be their only option.

Reminds me of a TV I saw called "Vegas Stripped." It was a behind the scenes look at the South Pointe Casino in Las Vegas. The interesting thing that makes it relevant is that the casino also had an event center/arena on the property. They said that for their events to be profitable/worthwhile they needed 25% of the attendees to make their way onto the casino floor and gamble.

A hockey arena within the vicinity of the Indian casino could drive thousands of people to it after the game. While for a Friday or Saturday night that isn't such a big deal, to get even 2,000 fans to hit up the casino after a game would be huge on a slow Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday night. Worth 400 million for that? Not quite but other events and shows could also be booked at the arena and could move the needle from crazy idea to something that could be very beneficial.

Also something to take into account is the casino war taking place behind scenes... Salt-River Pima Maricopa vs Gila River vs Tohono O'odham vs Ak-Chin. The Salt-River and Gila River tribes spent millions trying to stop Tohono O'odham from entering the market with their Glendale casino. Having a 17,000 seat arena and a pro-sports team would set them miles apart verses the competition. It is not just the fans that go to arena but branding and awareness of their properties. As a Yotes fan, if they do build an arena at Salt-River and in the future someone ask me for a recommendation on a place to stay or gamble my first response will be the Salt-River properties.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Who said that it's a last resort? Leblanc said that only Phoenix wanted their interest to be made public at this time and Leblanc was simply helping them along with it by noting it publicly. There's no saying at this point which location is the favorite of the ownership.

Craig Morgan said as much in an article he wrote a few weeks ago. And I consider Craig Morgan to essentially be the voice of the ownership in the press, so I believe it.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Craig Morgan said as much in an article he wrote a few weeks ago. And I consider Craig Morgan to essentially be the voice of the ownership in the press, so I believe it.

Craig Morgan? Oh please. Someone either in ownership or in the city slipped him that one to try to get a little push going.

 

[Jakey53]

Craig Morgan said as much in an article he wrote a few weeks ago. And I consider Craig Morgan to essentially be the voice of the ownership in the press, so I believe it.

Craig Morgan? Oh please. Someone either in ownership or in the city slipped him that one to try to get a little push going.

Craig Morgan is usually full of hot air.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Craig Morgan? Oh please. Someone either in ownership or in the city slipped him that one to try to get a little push going.

Exactly my point.

Craig Morgan is usually full of hot air.

Yes, he is, but it's the same hot air that LeBlanc spews.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Yes, he is, but it's the same hot air that LeBlanc spews.

Perhaps Craig Morgan is pushing on the city's behalf and not on Leblanc's behalf.