Charles St GRT terminal redevelopment

[jeffster]

Or we could just avoid the shiny new thing and make the bones of downtown better, causing more developments to start, which increases the tax base, which lets you make it even better etc

I would say that a good concert& sports venue is one of those "bones" that needs to be addressed. Just look at how many bands pass us by because the Aud is either not big enough or does not have modern rigging. and how much more popular with the Kitchener Rangers be with a 15,000-seat arena instead of one not even half that size?

The Rangers are a great team, but I would say that a 15,000 seat arena is too large for a major junior hockey team. Keep in mind too, that while they have excellent attendance right now, they also have free parking that is no more than 5 minute walk even if you're parked by the dog park. I believe they would struggle to come close to filling the place game after game if set at 15,000. They average 6,395 right now, out of 7,234 -88%- (or 7,777 with standing room).

The Aud does have poor rigging, but looking around, it seems that many artists are going after larger and larger venues. I am not sure how effective, at this point, it would be to draw more concerts and shows to Kitchener even if we had a great joint. Toronto had to fight just to get Taylor Swift to come for a visit.

If the goal was to obtain an NHL team (not likely), then fine, good idea. I am confident that the Maples Leafs territorial rights are not affected by this. But I can't see this happening.