Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Why Not This Way?

When looking at the (dreaded) LVEC, its placement, the troubles that have been demonstrated, one has to wonder why, if the mayor and council were determined to put it downtown, why they didn't place it on King Street, along side Food Basics, and aligned north/south. In other words, why didn't they consider placing it at running parallel to King and Ontario Streets?
Had they eliminated Barrack Street, and put it with one end near Place d'Armes, and the other end near Queen Street, they would have had far fewer prooblems, would have been able to include the amenities that would have made it attractive to a wide variety of activities, and would have ended up with something that had multiple functions.
And, the greatest error on this project because of its location and placement on one downtown block, is the blatent disregard for persons with disabilities, those with mobility issues, and those who desire to drop off their passengers. It is baffling that the province would allow a facility to be built with its money without all citizens being accommodated.
With a larger facility, they would have had meeting rooms, a large restaurent (they eliminated the 300 seat restaurent when they figured out that they needed more space for other things), more and larger athletic facilities, plenty of room for the Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame that is being squished into the facility.
Let it be said that this idea WAS suggested, but, like most of the other suggestions, was given short-shrift.
And, while we're on the short-comings of the facility, there is wide-spread opinion that the design-build method for this facility was a big mistake. Already, the city is reaping the deficiencies of this method of construction. To keep it within the financial limitations given by council, a lot of short-cuts are being taken, and items either left out or of lesser quality.
There are a lot of people who are aching to get into the site to see what REALLY is going on.!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Some time ago I was lucky enough to take in a baseball game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Wrigley Field Stats

Seating capacity if 41,000. Onsite fan parking: 0

People walking through the streets as though on a pilgrimage, taking public transport, being dropped off on site ... all added to an experience that was almost magical.

You don't get that at shopping-mall-venues.

LVEC EDUCATED said...

I certainly believe you are as niave to the likes of an LVEC as KCAL.

I believe your "opinion" on the site (as it is now) misses the reality that you and the naysayers (forced) the move to the North Block site - and by the way costing not only the cost of the move - but as you state the "smaller version" of the LVEC for the same cost as Anglan Bay!

The NB site FYI is 30% smaller than Anglan Bay - and I can say - that you - where one of the supporters for this.

Don't now complain that it is to small!

I appreciate your opinions --- or two cents - I think you have valid concerns - but I believe you have been listening to much to the naysayers interest groups and the Voice or PIC press rather than reasonable (less conspiracy laden news)

You also maynot have read fully (or any?) of the LVEC business plan or any marketing studies, traffic studies that have been published for over 2 years.

- parking and the master transportation plan sets rules for public, private development for the City regarding future transportation methods:(to stop or slow down urban sprawl, i.e roads)

- "the transportation master plan" has incentives, guidelines for personal mobility rates for the city going forward.

- Walking and biking are some of the criteria.

And access for mobility for the handicap is likely not their main concern.

I have worked with many for years.

Their main concern is "facility mobility"..in other word when their in the facility!

As you must know Kingston is NOT the easiest access for persons in wheel chairs...this NEW facility will be a god sent for them.

Maybe you should read up or at least ASK a handicap person before you try to enlighten us of your personal opinion on such a subject!

- I also beg to differ this is a bad idea for the LVEC to be located in a pedestrian area.

Rather than near the 401 (the urban sprawl incentive) or even (gosh forbid) on the Memorial Centre site..that is not even near a business or facility service area.
The LVEC facility just like the MTCC or Place Bonaventure in Montreal NEEDS service business within walking distance..

The LVEC info you lack:

From the lastest City on line updates - on City website has (monthly) updates of the LVEC
Also updates are also avaliable @ council meetings on Cogeco 13 - Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m

LVEC Features copared to the M Center:

- the LVEC can now seat almost twice as many people than the M Centre and (can expand) to almost 6000 seats.

- The M Centre can hold maybe 4000 (uncomfortably I may add) - M centre is also NOT multipurpose
i.e put on shows etc. at the same time a hockey game is on.

- LVEC feature the distinguishes from the old M- Center is the fact it can change to different configurations to suite concerts, stage plays..

- LVEC has state of the art sound, visual and estetic design built into its design - M Center when build was on a budget for a very limited/basic design

- no design elements 50 years ago - were considered as they are now. i.e Multipurpose facility with concert and stage performance requirements.

- by all recent studies would cost up to $ 20,000,000 to fix it - "without significantly adding to the multipurpose usage that an LVEC does". (and this is not my quote) it was from a consultant and not the same one that worked on the Medicine Hat LVEC / verse old area study....

- in other words (they independently agreed) the old "design" rinks - would still be just be a small hockey rink. Even afte the 20 million reno.


Most of the monies would go towards, upgrading electrical, infastructure rellated to safety oin the M Center and current building codes. The outside barns would not be rebuilt, in this budget.

I ask anyone with an opinion like your to (first) read the business, marketing plan etc. before suggesting anything.

It is not only required but your opinions may actually carry weight with one who is in the know.

If you need more info - that you obvious do...visist:

http://lvec-showtime.blogspot.com/

LVEC EDUCATED said...

I certainly believe you are as niave to the likes of an LVEC as KCAL.

I believe your "opinion" on the site (as it is now) misses the reality that you and the naysayers (forced) the move to the North Block site - and by the way costing not only the cost of the move - but as you state the "smaller version" of the LVEC for the same cost as Anglan Bay!

The NB site FYI is 30% smaller than Anglan Bay - and I can say - that you - where one of the supporters for this.

Don't now complain that it is to small!

I appreciate your opinions --- or two cents - I think you have valid concerns - but I believe you have been listening to much to the naysayers interest groups and the Voice or PIC press rather than reasonable (less conspiracy laden news)

You also maynot have read fully (or any?) of the LVEC business plan or any marketing studies, traffic studies that have been published for over 2 years.

- parking and the master transportation plan sets rules for public, private development for the City regarding future transportation methods:(to stop or slow down urban sprawl, i.e roads)

- "the transportation master plan" has incentives, guidelines for personal mobility rates for the city going forward.

- Walking and biking are some of the criteria.

And access for mobility for the handicap is likely not their main concern.

I have worked with many for years.

Their main concern is "facility mobility"..in other word when their in the facility!

As you must know Kingston is NOT the easiest access for persons in wheel chairs...this NEW facility will be a god sent for them.

Maybe you should read up or at least ASK a handicap person before you try to enlighten us of your personal opinion on such a subject!

- I also beg to differ this is a bad idea for the LVEC to be located in a pedestrian area.

Rather than near the 401 (the urban sprawl incentive) or even (gosh forbid) on the Memorial Centre site..that is not even near a business or facility service area.
The LVEC facility just like the MTCC or Place Bonaventure in Montreal NEEDS service business within walking distance..

The LVEC info you lack:

From the lastest City on line updates - on City website has (monthly) updates of the LVEC
Also updates are also avaliable @ council meetings on Cogeco 13 - Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m

LVEC Features copared to the M Center:

- the LVEC can now seat almost twice as many people than the M Centre and (can expand) to almost 6000 seats.

- The M Centre can hold maybe 4000 (uncomfortably I may add) - M centre is also NOT multipurpose
i.e put on shows etc. at the same time a hockey game is on.

- LVEC feature the distinguishes from the old M- Center is the fact it can change to different configurations to suite concerts, stage plays..

- LVEC has state of the art sound, visual and estetic design built into its design - M Center when build was on a budget for a very limited/basic design

- no design elements 50 years ago - were considered as they are now. i.e Multipurpose facility with concert and stage performance requirements.

- by all recent studies would cost up to $ 20,000,000 to fix it - "without significantly adding to the multipurpose usage that an LVEC does". (and this is not my quote) it was from a consultant and not the same one that worked on the Medicine Hat LVEC / verse old area study....

- in other words (they independently agreed) the old "design" rinks - would still be just be a small hockey rink. Even afte the 20 million reno.


Most of the monies would go towards, upgrading electrical, infastructure rellated to safety oin the M Center and current building codes. The outside barns would not be rebuilt, in this budget.

I ask anyone with an opinion like yours to (first) read the business, marketing plan before suggesting anything.

It is not only required but your opinions may actually carry weight with one who is in the know.

Please visit:

http://lvec-showtime.blogspot.com/