Bell Centre renovation

[mikecubs]

Upgrades planned for the Bell Centre, including the replacement of all the seats

In a letter sent to season ticket holders Geoff Molson spills the beans on some of the planned upgrades.

We learned a few days ago that the Habs proposed major changes to the Bell Centre area. There were upgrades planned for the Bell Centre, however none of the details were released.

Thanks to Balloonian on Twitter, we now have a copy of the letter owner Geoff Molson sent to season ticket holders, which explains some of the planned renovations, including over 21,000 new seats to replace the decaying original chairs that were installed over 20 years ago.

Here's the translated text for the relevant part of the letter:

"As you have no doubt noticed, construction sites around the Bell Centre are abundant these days. The Bell Center itself is experiencing a rejuvenation process. In total, there will be $50M invested in various projects; renovating the concession counters, repairing and digitalization open spaces, as well as relocating the Canadiens plaza.

The project, which involves replacing all the seats in the arena, is well underway, and will continue through next season"

www.habseyesontheprize.com/latest-news/2015/7/9/8920069/upgrades-planned-for-the-bell-centre-including-new-seats-geoff-molson-letter-season-ticket

[mikecubs]

More details

BELL CENTRE: MAJOR RENOVATIONS IN ORDER

In reaction to the new competition Videotron Centre Quebec, the Canadian board on significant improvements both inside and outside the Bell Centre, learned La Presse Affaires. The goal: to maintain “its indispensable position of entertainment in Quebec.”

The amphitheater of 21273 seats, named Molson Centre until 2002, was completed in 1996, there has nearly 20 years.

Long holding a virtual monopoly in terms of welcoming international stars on tour in Quebec, the Bell Centre is now rubbing the competition of the new center Videotron 18,259 seats, built at a cost of $ 370 million and equipped with the latest technology.

Not to be outdone, the Bell Centre includes building retrofits and improving the comfort of its users in order to “consolidate its status as one of the best amphitheaters in the world.” Plans include changing all the seats in the arena.

The operating company of the Bell Centre, L’Aréna des Canadiens, announced his plans to the Office of Public Consultation Montreal, which held hearings in June on the special planning program (PPU) of the Terminal Area , where stands the amphitheater.

“In terms of interior upgrades, private investment is envisaged,” the owner of the arena, without specifying the amount. Our appeal to the Canadian spokesman, Donald Beauchamp, has not been followed.

The Molson Centre, as it was then known, was built without subsidies at a cost of 230 million (265 million with all equipment). Its owner pays more than 8 million in municipal taxes annually.

In comparison, Videotron Centre, which cost 400 million, was funded to the tune of 387 million by the Province and the City of Quebec. He eventually cost 30 million less to build.

In the heart of a neighborhood undergoing renovation

Besides the internal improvements, the Bell Centre provides significant external redevelopment to better fit into its neighborhood, which has metamorphosed in recent months with the construction of the tower condos Canadians Deloitte Tower, L’Avenue and others.

The proposed redevelopment is part of a trend where we consider the buildings in sporting and cultural vocation as a stakeholder in the redevelopment of the neighborhoods in which they fit, Canadian giving the example of the renovation project of Wrigley Field, home Baseball Club Cubs in Chicago.

The main changes to the menu, note that the main entrance of the Centre Bell is shifted eastward vis-à-vis the Drummond Street.

“The construction of large buildings in front of the Bell Centre relegates the building back-lot, says its owner. Indeed, the presence of constructions makes visibility to the Bell Centre, from René Lévesque Boulevard, difficult; which was not the case previously with the presence of parking in front of the site, “reads a document that La Presse Affaires consulted.

The Canadiens would transform Drummond Street, between René-Lévesque Boulevard and the Bell Centre in prestigious driveway, or protocol, with wider sidewalks and landscaping quality.

There is also talk of adding a large translucent canopy over the entire length of the front of the home of the Habs. Place of Canadians courtyard between the amphitheater and Windsor Station, would also be rethought.

The document prepared by the CH group did not say who would pay associated with these exterior enhancements.

The Avenue des Canadiens will become pedestrian

In addition, the owner of Blue-white-red would have the Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal permanent pedestrian street, except for a short stretch between Drummond and Stanley would become one way eastward . “The permanent pedestrianization Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal will secure and facilitate the movement of pedestrians at rush hour and during the various events”, it is argued. It also will create a forum for interaction and meetings.

Finally, the Canadian opposes the idea of ​​making the Rue Saint Antoine in both directions, between Jean-D’Estrées and Mountain, as proposed in the PPU. The CH group fears a larger Saint-Antoine Street congestion during events at the Bell Centre during peak hours. Currently, Saint-Antoine Street is one-way westbound, offering up to four lanes. The project of the City offers three westbound lanes and one lane eastbound.

stopru.org/bell-centre-major-renovations-in-order

[mikecubs]

pic of the proposed canopy.

[mikecubs]

This is from October

Canadiens owner announces $100M plan to revamp Bell Centre

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson met with the media Wednesday to announce a $100-million plan to revamp the Bell Centre.

The three-year project has already begun, with all 21,288 seats in the 19-year-old arena having been replaced over the summer.

“I noticed the difference,” said season ticket-holder Jared Silver, who attended a pre-season game. “The seats are definitely more comfortable, but they didn’t feel much bigger.”

Other changes within the building include the installation of a glass canopy that will span the entire front entrance on Ave-des-Canadiens, and the remodelling of the luxury suites, lounges and concessions stands, as well as widening of the corridors by 20 per cent.

Also in the plans are renovations of the restaurants and bars within the Bell Centre, the construction of a new restaurant, the revamping of the Wi-Fi system and the addition of several video screens throughout.

“This major investment is intended to maintain our standards of excellence and to ensure the quality of the Bell Centre visitor experience,” said Molson. “It’s very important to us that our fans be able to get up, get something to eat, maybe go to the bathroom and get back into their seats before the start of the next period. Secondly, we’re offering fans the opportunity to order food in their seats and it gets delivered to them within five minutes.”

On the outside of the Bell Centre, Molson has proposed a plan to the city of Montreal for the 200-metre stretch of road on Ave-des-Canadiens to be turned into a pedestrian plaza. He also announced that part of the project will include placing a massive video screen over the building’s front entrance.

“We hope the plans will be approved by the city,” said Molson in French.

Molson assured all the changes to the Bell Centre will be carried out in staggered stages so as not to interfere with the building’s schedule. He also stated that the project is being funded privately.

According to an independent study run by firm KPMG, the building that houses the Canadiens and runs concerts and entertainment through Evenko is visited by 2.9 million people annually.

As a result of the Canadiens condo project (Tour des Canadiens), which was constructed on the Bell Centre’s northwest corner, Centennial Plaza — featuring statues of Canadiens legends such as Jean Believeau and Maurice Richard — has been renamed 'Place des Canadiens' and has been moved to the northeast corner of the building in the Rio Tinto courtyard between Windsor Station and the Deloitte Tower.

Place des Canadiens will be inaugurated Thursday morning with former Canadiens legend Guy Lapointe in attendance.

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canadiens-owner-announces-100m-plan-to-revamp-bell-centre/

[mikecubs]

The seats and corridor widening were the biggest things. From everything I heard the seats at Bell were hard as rocks and EVERY arena review site always talked about how the corridors were way too narrow and that the company that designed the place had never designed an arena before.

I've said this a lot but the current arenas/stadiums/ballparks will last a LOT longer than the old ones because most things can be renovated in. Only places that will be replaced are poorly located arenas (Gila River, Ottawa) or stadiums(Fed Ex).