Markham council agreed to accept new arena proposal. Can a new NHL team be too far away?

NO
At best an OHL club.

Its a 20,000 seat stadium

They won't be granted an NHL franchise because of Toronto, they won't get an AHL franchise because of the Marlies that only leaaves Jr. A. That is unless they want to get into the new Lingerie Hockey League.

off season mahjong parlour

Profesional Rub n Tug franchise-place would be packed.

fuckin eh!!

The only way Markham is going to get an NHL team in there is if Bell / Rogers own it. That's the only way they won't sue the NHL for allowing it to happen...

agreed. this will never happen.

got to admit something is going on we don't know about

even a guy like Jim Balsillie with deep, big pockets and an even bigger mouth couldn't get it done.

hpw is this arena going to break even if they have no teams or sponsors

how far away is the arena from Pecific Moll?

Pipe dream. Those developers are smoking one hell of a pipe, and the Markham voters are falling for it big time. The developers didn't get to be multi-millionaires for being stupid. They will have so many guarantees and clauses in the contract that will cover their butts, but expose the taxpayer to any revenue shortcomings. Transportation. How will up to 20,000 people get to and from games, concerts or events? Poor public transportation, and the 404 only gets you so far. Demographics. Who will this arena be catering to? A Tim Hortons or McDonalds do more indepth research and studies before they build a single store than the brain child of this hugely expensive scheme did.

PS. Someone should call up a resident of Glendale, Arizona and ask what story the developers of the Jobing.com arena promised them and city council when that arena was first proposed.

You are on crack if you think Markham will get an NHL team. They would have a better chance at hosting the Winter Olympics..haha.

Transportation??... Across the street from a Go train station and 500 ft north of a major highway!! Ever been to Ottawa Senators arena?? Building an entertainment complex right there as well. It will be great for concerts in the meantime till Bettman pays another 25million to bail out Phoenix!

There will be special trains from Toronto, Georgetown, Oakville, Pickering, etc....just for events at this arena. They will drop off their passengers and patiently wait for the return trip 2 1/2 hrs later.

Ever see a parking lot that can fit cars for 10-15 or 20,000 people? You would need 8 acres per 1000 cars.

How's the local bus system?

How would the town folk like this kind of congestion so close to home?

How many concerts would you be going to?

The Lion's Club that ran the Lakeshore Arena got bamboozled by the Leafs and who know who else when they agreed to fund the Mastercard Centre. The city of Toronto put up guarantees and the Leafs, with very little if any $ commitment, guaranteed that the Leafs and the Marlies would practice there for X years. Well, fast forward a few years. The MCC is losing money. Has the highest ice rental rates in the GTA. Doesn't have a major revenue producing restaurant, bar or snack bar. It was taken away from the poor Lions and the city of Toronto is paying the Leafs to manage it. Big money loser for everyone except the Leafs. Again, the taxpayer is footing the bill for grandeur plans. Remember the Olympic Stadium and the Sky Dome? Even BOM Field. Taxpayer $'s there, but MLSE is the only one making money.

The tax payers will get it up the a.. every time. That's the only guarantee.

you're right same thing happened with BMO field and the Ricoh.

David Miller and Joe Pantaleone (aka Pantload) dropped their and the taxpayers's drawers for MLSE's gratuitous ass boning.

it all sounds too much like Glendale!!

whens toronto getting a team?

The return of the Markham Millionaires!!

If you think these people would build a 20,000 seat arena and not have a backroom deal for a major league team you`re dreaming.

Bell/Rogers will let them in for a indemnity fee and broadcasting rights, you watch.

There are still at least 5 hopeless losers in non traditional hockey markets that will eventually need a new home.
The seven Canadian franchises bring in the lion's share of league revenue.
The Winnipeg experiment has so far been a huge success for the NHL.
Brand new NHL class facilities are being built in Quebec City, and now, Markham.
It does not take a genius to figure out that these buildings will soon be sold out for NHL contests, replacing the half empty (half full?) buidings of the deep south.
Yeah, one does not spends millions of millions on pipe dreams.
There's some back room goings on whenever this level of dough is involved.
Nudge nudge wink wink.

IF MARKHAM GETS AN NHL FRANCHISE.....

THEN TORONTO WILL WANT ONE TOO!!!

The NHL Experiment failed badly in toronto not sure they will gamble again in Markham!

The Phoenix, Nashville and Florida crowds have been pretty jam packed from what I can see in the playoffs. Starting to catch on down there.

Do they still after a whistle announce whether is icing or off side........lol

Mississauga Majors / Brampton Battallion may be wanting to move? Majors were just sold -wonder who bought them?

Wow...this doesn't seem like a N54 thread. There is some intelligent conversation mixed with some good humour. Please go elsewhere...haha.