tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post4466865254590177945..comments2024-02-29T23:31:03.341-05:00Comments on Out Of Left Field: Rants from a raging Lions fansagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-35028754026902673202009-07-13T15:41:24.704-04:002009-07-13T15:41:24.704-04:00As for the steps leading to Westman Place at the K...As for the steps leading to Westman Place at the Keystone Centre, I guess they tried to save some heating costs by building berms around the building. That meant steep stairs and ramps. Given that the arena was a pretty innovative concept when it was built in the early 1970s, it's aged all right. Needs a reno (which it's getting). It's problem is that while it has 5,000 plus seats and meets Brandon's current needs, it's not big enough for major events. Where the Brier once could go to arenas in the 5,000 to 10,000 range, 10,000 has become the bare minimum (with a few exceptions where the patch can hold 3-6,000 people).Keith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-6626020058792983612009-07-13T15:35:42.030-04:002009-07-13T15:35:42.030-04:00Brandon has what is likely the second-best park in...Brandon has what is likely the second-best park in Manitoba, behind CanWest, which is the best minor league park you will find that isn't used by a major league team during spring training. But it ain't the major leagues.<br /><br />The Bombers and Bisons are supposed to be getting a new home at the University of Manitoba. However, much of the private cash was to come from David Asper, and we've seen how Canwest stock has fared lately. Asper said the money wasn't coming from Canwest, but from other sources of family income (real estate and the like). But I am starting to wonder if there's problems with the project, given I have heard very little about progress in the last couple of months.Keith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-29784698920575632972009-07-12T18:19:47.124-04:002009-07-12T18:19:47.124-04:00Keith hit the nail on the head. A lot of all-seaso...Keith hit the nail on the head. A lot of all-seasons sports fans in Canada have never seen a major-league baseball game played outdoors or on natural grass, since Montreal had the Big Owe and Toronto has the concrete Cable Box (the Jays have tried to pretty up the place, but you can only do so much). One does wonder if the stadia had an effect on fan support.<br /><br />Believe you me, it's a revelation to walk into an open-air major-league park and see the green grass in front of you. I remember getting to my seat in Comerica Park during a game there in '05 and feeling like Ned Beaty in <i>Rudy</i>, "This is the most beautiful site these eyes have seen."<br /><br />Granted, the 'Tobans have the nicest minor-league park in Winnipeg and the nicest community baseball diamond I've ever seen had to be the one in Stonewall, Man. And aren't the Blue Bombers and Manitoba Bisons football team getting a new home?<br /><br />(Now explain why there's those crazy stairs leading up to the doors at the Keystone Centre in Brandon.)sagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08757652892056684490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-36814601346034900312009-07-12T17:22:47.207-04:002009-07-12T17:22:47.207-04:00I saw the shell of the new Minneapolis park (as w...I saw the shell of the new Minneapolis park (as well as the U of M football stadium) last year and they should both provide good fan experiences. The new ball park is in an area of Minneapolis in need of revitalization (at least that's the impression I got), but will be in a better area of downtown than the Metrodome when the work is done. The last stop on the LRT line, when we went in May 2008, was a bit of a dingy neighbourhood, and that didn't go all the way to the Target Centre (as far as I recall).<br /><br />Being closer to the Target Centre (Home of the NBA Timberwolves) there's more bars and restaurants so there will be more of a buzz on game day. I know I will visit the new Twins ball park some day, and will probably like it a lot. But I can't help but wonder what Wrigley would be like in person.Keith Borkowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420431520714007941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16538424.post-64458496782125081552009-07-11T19:57:24.739-04:002009-07-11T19:57:24.739-04:00I've heard wonderful reviews of Miller Park in...I've heard wonderful reviews of Miller Park in Milwaukee and the Twins new outdoor ballpark should be ready next April. Outdoor ball stadiums are so much better than the indoor behemoths!AJnoreply@blogger.com