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Not sure if you guys are aware, but the Va Beach amphitheater is a Live Nation venue and it is one of the top 5 most profitable of its 112 venues nationwide. People from Richmond and Moyock go to these concerts at the amphitheater. Also, the amphitheater is not anywhere near an interstate - almost a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest one. I really think the VB arena proposal being right across the street from the interstate and with a planned light rail station will be in a much better situation. People will not have an issue driving to it if they really wanna go.


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(05-06-2014 09:11 AM)Sithlord Wrote:  Not sure if you guys are aware, but the Va Beach amphitheater is a Live Nation venue and it is one of the top 5 most profitable of its 112 venues nationwide. People from Richmond and Moyock go to these concerts at the amphitheater. Also, the amphitheater is not anywhere near an interstate - almost a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest one. I really think the VB arena proposal being right across the street from the interstate and with a planned light rail station will be in a much better situation. People will not have an issue driving to it if they really wanna go.


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This is ammo for those who are skeptical about the proposed arena. The Amphitheater is an outdoor venue with a 20,000+ capacity. It attracts the biggest of names in music and has for years. It is fairly easy to get in/out of, has adequate parking and is an established venue.

The proposed arena would be in stiff competition with the amphitheater for a large part of its proposed business: concerts. The summer and spring will be very tough for any indoor arena to compete with the amphitheater in this area. Who wants to be indoors in the summer when they could be outside getting smacked? The Amphitheater is getting whatever it wants in terms of artists and the proposed arena will get the table scraps.

I just don't see the need for another arena. I understand if your wants are sports related, but that's virtually a non factor. Face the facts, VA Beach isn't going to get a NBA team. They Kings used VA Beach as a political toy, they had zero intentions of moving a franchise here. As for bringing the ACC tournament to the proposed arena: really? Do you really think the ACC is going to move away from Greensboro with UNC and Duke's pull in the matter? Their fans pack the arena in Greensboro because its in their back yard. They aren't going to move it. If you want to play what-ifs, its a 4-day event that will have moderate attendance here in VA Beach.

Without sports, you are building an arena for ice shows, concerts, etc. That is really what you want? There are plenty of venues already in the area that provide enjoyable entertainment in these categories. This proposed arena does nothing but water it down in my eyes.

It may not be packed full of events in the summer time, but they'll still get a few shows and concerts, with the potential for other events like motocross and MMA. That'll pay the bills. And in the winter time you'll see a huge change in the local economy because there will still be premier shows taking place.

So recap:

Right now we have plenty of summer events, no winter events.
With new arena we'd still have plenty of summer events PLUS plenty of winter events.

It's a winning idea, IMO.

(05-06-2014 10:19 AM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 09:11 AM)Sithlord Wrote:  Not sure if you guys are aware, but the Va Beach amphitheater is a Live Nation venue and it is one of the top 5 most profitable of its 112 venues nationwide. People from Richmond and Moyock go to these concerts at the amphitheater. Also, the amphitheater is not anywhere near an interstate - almost a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest one. I really think the VB arena proposal being right across the street from the interstate and with a planned light rail station will be in a much better situation. People will not have an issue driving to it if they really wanna go.


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This is ammo for those who are skeptical about the proposed arena. The Amphitheater is an outdoor venue with a 20,000+ capacity. It attracts the biggest of names in music and has for years. It is fairly easy to get in/out of, has adequate parking and is an established venue.

The proposed arena would be in stiff competition with the amphitheater for a large part of its proposed business: concerts. The summer and spring will be very tough for any indoor arena to compete with the amphitheater in this area. Who wants to be indoors in the summer when they could be outside getting smacked? The Amphitheater is getting whatever it wants in terms of artists and the proposed arena will get the table scraps.

I just don't see the need for another arena. I understand if your wants are sports related, but that's virtually a non factor. Face the facts, VA Beach isn't going to get a NBA team. They Kings used VA Beach as a political toy, they had zero intentions of moving a franchise here. As for bringing the ACC tournament to the proposed arena: really? Do you really think the ACC is going to move away from Greensboro with UNC and Duke's pull in the matter? Their fans pack the arena in Greensboro because its in their back yard. They aren't going to move it. If you want to play what-ifs, its a 4-day event that will have moderate attendance here in VA Beach.

Without sports, you are building an arena for ice shows, concerts, etc. That is really what you want? There are plenty of venues already in the area that provide enjoyable entertainment in these categories. This proposed arena does nothing but water it down in my eyes.

Live Nation was backing the arena plan when the Kings were using the area for leverage. I'm not sure if they're still apart of this private development proposal, but despite being the owner/operator of the Amphitheatre they still saw the value of having an indoor venue. It would allow them to have more flexibility in scheduling year-round.

(05-06-2014 10:19 AM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 09:11 AM)Sithlord Wrote:  Not sure if you guys are aware, but the Va Beach amphitheater is a Live Nation venue and it is one of the top 5 most profitable of its 112 venues nationwide. People from Richmond and Moyock go to these concerts at the amphitheater. Also, the amphitheater is not anywhere near an interstate - almost a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest one. I really think the VB arena proposal being right across the street from the interstate and with a planned light rail station will be in a much better situation. People will not have an issue driving to it if they really wanna go.


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I just don't see the need for another arena. I understand if your wants are sports related, but that's virtually a non factor. Face the facts, VA Beach isn't going to get a NBA team. They Kings used VA Beach as a political toy, they had zero intentions of moving a franchise here. As for bringing the ACC tournament to the proposed arena: really? Do you really think the ACC is going to move away from Greensboro with UNC and Duke's pull in the matter? Their fans pack the arena in Greensboro because its in their back yard. They aren't going to move it. If you want to play what-ifs, its a 4-day event that will have moderate attendance here in VA Beach.

The ACC Tourny is moving to Brooklyn in 2016. Duke and UNC really threw their weight around on that one huh?

The arguments that most are making against the arena is the reason we have never become "big time." In any successful business (and running a city is a business), you must take risks. remember the uproar over the 31st street hotel (now the crown jewel of the oceanfront)? Remember how dumb Norfolk was for doing light rail on their own?

I am a big believer in investing in upgrades to anything. The city is upgrading its overall profile. It would be really difficult to strike out on this.

Sports wise...So we get some sort of post season tourney here (CUSA, A10 or hit jackpot with ACC). Maybe we start a pre-season tourney similar to the Old Spice one in SC. Pick up a NBA or NHL exhibition. Get all the concerts that now bypass us and go to JPJ, Raleigh, or DC (Madonna, Taylor Swift recently). Toss in some new events such as MMA, boxing, or moto cross and you have a decent events calendar.

Big picture thinking is tough. It requires you to spend money that you don't have and put faith that the results will follow.

^ This +1


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(05-06-2014 11:07 AM)BigBlue23 Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 10:19 AM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 09:11 AM)Sithlord Wrote:  Not sure if you guys are aware, but the Va Beach amphitheater is a Live Nation venue and it is one of the top 5 most profitable of its 112 venues nationwide. People from Richmond and Moyock go to these concerts at the amphitheater. Also, the amphitheater is not anywhere near an interstate - almost a 15-20 minute drive to the nearest one. I really think the VB arena proposal being right across the street from the interstate and with a planned light rail station will be in a much better situation. People will not have an issue driving to it if they really wanna go.


Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

I just don't see the need for another arena. I understand if your wants are sports related, but that's virtually a non factor. Face the facts, VA Beach isn't going to get a NBA team. They Kings used VA Beach as a political toy, they had zero intentions of moving a franchise here. As for bringing the ACC tournament to the proposed arena: really? Do you really think the ACC is going to move away from Greensboro with UNC and Duke's pull in the matter? Their fans pack the arena in Greensboro because its in their back yard. They aren't going to move it. If you want to play what-ifs, its a 4-day event that will have moderate attendance here in VA Beach.

The ACC Tourny is moving to Brooklyn in 2016. Duke and UNC really threw their weight around on that one huh?

The arguments that most are making against the arena is the reason we have never become "big time." In any successful business (and running a city is a business), you must take risks. remember the uproar over the 31st street hotel (now the crown jewel of the oceanfront)? Remember how dumb Norfolk was for doing light rail on their own?

I am a big believer in investing in upgrades to anything. The city is upgrading its overall profile. It would be really difficult to strike out on this.

Sports wise...So we get some sort of post season tourney here (CUSA, A10 or hit jackpot with ACC). Maybe we start a pre-season tourney similar to the Old Spice one in SC. Pick up a NBA or NHL exhibition. Get all the concerts that now bypass us and go to JPJ, Raleigh, or DC (Madonna, Taylor Swift recently). Toss in some new events such as MMA, boxing, or moto cross and you have a decent events calendar.

Big picture thinking is tough. It requires you to spend money that you don't have and put faith that the results will follow.

It's actually D.C., not Brooklyn in 2016. But who's counting?

Brooklyn is rumored for 17' and 18'. Also several reports that the tourney will be rotating between Greensboro, D.C. and Brooklyn in the future. Why would the ACC want to add in Virginia Beach? There are no significant fan bases beyond Virginia Tech (whose basketball program is a joke) in the area.

I'm more NBA but I think NHL would thrive at that location.

Not certain of which franchise is looking to relocate.


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“The ACC’s footprint will soon stretch across nine contiguous states and as we look ahead we certainly welcome quality venues to consider as host locations for our conference championships and tournaments. We have two conference members — University of Virginia and Virginia Tech — that are located within the state which would make Virginia Beach an attractive location.” ~ John Swofford, ACC Commissioner

Not to mention the excess of fake UNC fans in Hampton Roads, which probably eclipse the UVA and VT basketball fans combined. The ACC tournament would have no problems selling out in VB. It wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for ODU basketball, however, if the ACC tournament dominates the local coverage in March.

(05-05-2014 09:18 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  The state and VA Beach are funding the train, and if the money doesn't go to vb its going to nova

The state and VB fund the construction. Where is the state getting the money? Serious question. Does it come from the general coffers or does it come from the sales tax hike that everyone in the 7 cities and counties has been enjoying? After construction, HRT will be operating it, which is subsidized bay all HR cities except Suffolk. Yes, VB has a larger stake, but I have some stake as well.

My understanding, from what I have read, is that there is a rail coffer in the state budget that will fund the state's portion of VB Light Rail. It is definitely not coming from the Hampton Roads gas tax, as that money is dedicated to this region, and could not be re-allocated to NOVA. That said, of course it is coming from everybody's tax dollars, but that money is there, and is going to be spent on light rail. Better ours that NOVA's.

(05-06-2014 03:56 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  My understanding, from what I have read, is that there is a rail coffer in the state budget that will fund the state's portion of VB Light Rail. It is definitely not coming from the Hampton Roads gas tax, as that money is dedicated to this region, and could not be re-allocated to NOVA. That said, of course it is coming from everybody's tax dollars, but that money is there, and is going to be spent on light rail. Better ours that NOVA's.

Agree as long as the gas tax stays with the roads.

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What is the likelihood an NBA team would accompany the arena at some point?

(05-06-2014 06:24 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  What is the likelihood an NBA team would accompany the arena at some point?

Zero.

(05-06-2014 06:27 PM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 06:24 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  What is the likelihood an NBA team would accompany the arena at some point?

Zero.

Although the chance is probably fairly low, I have to disagree with your zero figure.

The problem with the NBA is they will not expand and it's a cash cow. The Kings tried to move and that was shot down. New Orleans was rumored for a time but that is no longer in play. There's a very small percentage of teams that will ever consider relocating.

The NHL has room to expand by two more teams, I think Seattle is getting one and several existing cities are rumored to be a candidate to lose a team.

(05-06-2014 08:04 PM)paintedblue Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 06:27 PM)Les Geaux Wrote:  

(05-06-2014 06:24 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  What is the likelihood an NBA team would accompany the arena at some point?

Zero.

Although the chance is probably fairly low, I have to disagree with your zero figure.

I agree that getting an NBA team is low within the next five to ten years. Other then expanding (which is not viable for the NBA right now) i don't see any team that would relocate. The only way is if they wanted to create an expansion partner with a new Sonics team.

That being said is likelihood of an NHL team accompanying the arena is high IMO. I wouldn't be surprised at all if we have a team willing to relocate or an expansion franchise even before the building is complete.

This isnt like KC, "build it they will come" and then no one ever does. KC has two franchises, we have nothing other than DC and Raleigh 3 hrs in different directions. The NHL almost came here before, Hampton Roads Rhinos. Before VB stopped backing the Norfolk arena and everything fell apart. We still almost got a team after that with the Whalers owner willing to move them here if we got things straight. The NHL will occupy that arena guaranteed its a matter of when not if.

[/quote] its a matter of when not if.
[/quote]

We used to say the same stuff about the EVMS/ODU merger. I'm in the camp that thinks its iffy that a team will come, and even if they do, the arena is in the wrong spot to draw people from Richmond, Williamsburg and Suffolk. Norfolk, North Suffolk or Hampton are more central to the region. As much as HR is a cul de sac, they're placing this at the end of a cul de sac within a cul de sac with the hopes of making it a destination. Not too many people are going to do sports tourism for a brand new team IMO, so do whats best for the local fans.

The only logical place for a major sports facility is the Hampton Roads Executive Airport with immediate access from Hwy 58/460 from the west (Suffolk and beyond), I-664 from the North (Newport News, Hampton, the peninsula), I-264 from the East (Norfolk, Virginia Beach) and I-64 from the south/east (Chesapeake and the outer banks). Just perfect! But it will never happen.