New Arena for Sioux Falls

[boxerboy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

I no longer live in Sioux Falls so it doesn't mean as much to me as to those in SD who attend many sporting/concerts and other events. I do know however what the Van Andel Arena has meant to the city of Grand Rapids. It was built right in the heart of the downtown area and has been a tremendous asset to the community. I also realize the population base in W. Michigan is considerably larger which allows for the arena to be in use constantly. Yet if SF were to build an arena/events center (in downtown SF) it would revitalize the area. Just going on memory Sioux Falls would have to considerably improve the overall transportation convenience to the downtown area. The whole economic climate right now has to have everyone concerned when considering these types of expenditures.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

I no longer live in Sioux Falls so it doesn't mean as much to me as to those in SD who attend many sporting/concerts and other events. I do know however what the Van Andel Arena has meant to the city of Grand Rapids. It was built right in the heart of the downtown area and has been a tremendous asset to the community. I also realize the population base in W. Michigan is considerably larger which allows for the arena to be in use constantly. Yet if SF were to build an arena/events center (in downtown SF) it would revitalize the area. Just going on memory Sioux Falls would have to considerably improve the overall transportation convenience to the downtown area. The whole economic climate right now has to have everyone concerned when considering these types of expenditures.

Let's just say the economic climate is a lot better in Sioux Falls than anywhere in Michigan.

[boxerboy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

Probably true, however W. Michigan economically is still pretty strong. The govt. owning a large chunk of the automobile industry will have its effect on the whole country soon enough.

[joeboo22]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

ok, people have said this before and I'll say it again, Sioux Falls downtown is very different then most cities of similar size..... that is what bothers me when people say it has worked to put it downtown in other cities..... If you didn't have a convention center already I'd say put it anywhere and then put a convention center with it but you have a convention center and parking so why not just build as part of the arena? All what I'm saying as well as other out of towners is we are gonna go to a lot less activities if the arena is downtown because it is so hard to get to and from......

I know it will revitalize downtown, the fact is it will revitalize or vitalize or whatever you call it to whatever part of town you put it in..... right now you have 2 great hotels within walking distance, you have the ball park there also, and a convention center with a football stadium possibly there.... I know that most if not all of the funding will come from the tax payers of sioux falls and many of them believe that they should put it where they want because of that but the reason you want to build it is to attract out of town money and I believe the best way to do that is to put it where the existing arena is...... also the fact that you won't have to have a public campaign where the new arena is, the signs that are up can stay and so on.....

an example of this is does anybody like trying to find the metrodome in minneapolis? or Coors Field in Denver? both put theres downtown and its not the funnest thing getting to and from before and after a game.....

[boxerboy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

ok, people have said this before and I'll say it again, Sioux Falls downtown is very different then most cities of similar size..... that is what bothers me when people say it has worked to put it downtown in other cities..... If you didn't have a convention center already I'd say put it anywhere and then put a convention center with it but you have a convention center and parking so why not just build as part of the arena? All what I'm saying as well as other out of towners is we are gonna go to a lot less activities if the arena is downtown because it is so hard to get to and from......

I know it will revitalize downtown, the fact is it will revitalize or vitalize or whatever you call it to whatever part of town you put it in..... right now you have 2 great hotels within walking distance, you have the ball park there also, and a convention center with a football stadium possibly there.... I know that most if not all of the funding will come from the tax payers of sioux falls and many of them believe that they should put it where they want because of that but the reason you want to build it is to attract out of town money and I believe the best way to do that is to put it where the existing arena is...... also the fact that you won't have to have a public campaign where the new arena is, the signs that are up can stay and so on.....

an example of this is does anybody like trying to find the metrodome in minneapolis? or Coors Field in Denver? both put theres downtown and its not the funnest thing getting to and from before and after a game.....

Some good points Joeboo. Wrigley Field is actually in a residential/business area hard to get to and out of but boy does it work.

[Nidaros]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

The excess from I-29 was what Mike Hendricksen brought up in the Argus Sport Net and how valid it is not the big question in my mind. That seems to be the least of the of unanswered questions.

The major issues or in form of questions have yet to be agreed upon by the committee aka SF Sports Authority.

There is doubt about its size and what events it will include.

Where will it be located?

How do you finance it? If its taxation How do you sell it to the public so that they will approve the measure at the ballot box? Is going to be a sales tax levy or private donations?

There are so many questions and few answers from what I can tell. I don't look for any action real soon.

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

ok, people have said this before and I'll say it again, Sioux Falls downtown is very different then most cities of similar size..... that is what bothers me when people say it has worked to put it downtown in other cities.....

I've been thinking about it and I agree with one thing that Stu mentioned in the middle of a recent column about this issue - why not consider moving the Canaries ballpark downtown. The existing ballpark feels like something that would fit into a downtown area. Not to mention the fact that you'd be talking about a couple of thousand people to worry about for parking as well as transportation to and from downtown instead of the 15,000 person crowds you would hope for for a concert event at a events center arena.

Plus from a small business perspective (restuarants, bars and small shops) wouldn't a ballpark that draws in 1500-3000 people for about 40 nights a summer still be a good boost to the traffic in your neighborhood? I hate to say it, I think I agree with Stu that they should consider a quaint, throwback style baseball park downtown and then keep Howard Wood where it is and develop a new Arena convention center expansion on the current site.

[boxerboy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

It may be heresy to say this to Canary faithful but it sure would be nice to get a lower class affiliation with some MLB team too. I love the idea of baseball in downtown Sioux Falls or near Falls Park. What a great addition to the city of Sioux Falls. If the affiliation were say with the Twins it would really be supported. The state of SD has a great history with minor league baseball. For us out of staters it would provide a summer option when we are back visiting, that the Canaries just don't have. I'm sorry but I would much rather watch "potential" than "over the hill".

[Jacks-02]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

It may be heresy to say this to Canary faithful but it sure would be nice to get a lower class affiliation with some MLB team too. I love the idea of baseball in downtown Sioux Falls or near Falls Park. What a great addition to the city of Sioux Falls. If the affiliation were say with the Twins it would really be supported. The state of SD has a great history with minor league baseball. For us out of staters it would provide a summer option when we are back visiting, that the Canaries just don't have. I'm sorry but I would much rather watch "potential" than "over the hill".

I think they would have people lining up for season tickets if they could ever land a Twins minor league affiliate.

[MikeHenriksen]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

Nidaros: The Mayor's committee that is working on this is different from the Sioux Falls Sports Authority. They are 2 separate entities.

[Nidaros]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

Nidaros: The Mayor's committee that is working on this is different from the Sioux Falls Sports Authority. They are 2 separate entities.

Thanks its good to know this, but it also shows how much confusion and unanswered questions remain. Sioux Falls does not seem to have much agreement or unity on this project. It more confusion than I care to follow. I could care less what happens here.

[90Jackrabbit]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

It may be heresy to say this to Canary faithful but it sure would be nice to get a lower class affiliation with some MLB team too. I love the idea of baseball in downtown Sioux Falls or near Falls Park. What a great addition to the city of Sioux Falls. If the affiliation were say with the Twins it would really be supported. The state of SD has a great history with minor league baseball. For us out of staters it would provide a summer option when we are back visiting, that the Canaries just don't have. I'm sorry but I would much rather watch "potential" than "over the hill".

I think I heard a while back that Sioux Falls is large enough to support a lower level farm team, class A etc, but what hurts Sioux Falls is geography. Most of the lower level farm teams are in buss leagues, and Sioux Falls is too isolated.

[sfsd]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

I think I heard a while back that Sioux Falls is large enough to support a lower level farm team, class A etc, but what hurts Sioux Falls is geography. Most of the lower level farm teams are in buss leagues, and Sioux Falls is too isolated.

This is true.

Sioux Falls is not big enough for a Triple A club, and Omaha and Des Moines are the closest minor league cities and way too far away. None of the Double A leagues are anywhere close to South Dakota (Texas League, Eastern League, Southern League).

The town itself fits more into an A-league classification with the 100-200,000 or so population. The nearest league is the Midwest League, but the closest towns are Clinton, Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities.

The closest rookie level teams are in the Pioneer League, but we're talking about the closest teams being in Montana. Most of those are smaller towns, too. Rapid City would be a more viable option than Sioux Falls.

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

I think they would have people lining up for season tickets if they could ever land a Twins minor league affiliate.

I agree. I agree. I agree. If that were to ever happen I can tell you that it would change my whole outlook on the team. Right now I keep an eye on how the Canaries are doing, know the names of thier prominent players and get out there 2-3-4 times a season to see a game.

If this same organization were any level of a farm team for the Twins, my interest would immediately go through the roof and I'd be familiair with the entire roster, where they were drafted and how they project out as potential major leaguers in the future. I would also be a season ticket holder spending my summers at the ballpark.

I know that'll probably never happen, but it would change everything for me personally.

[joeboo22]

Re: New Arena for Sioux Falls

I agree. I agree. I agree. If that were to ever happen I can tell you that it would change my whole outlook on the team. Right now I keep an eye on how the Canaries are doing, know the names of thier prominent players and get out there 2-3-4 times a season to see a game.

If this same organization were any level of a farm team for the Twins, my interest would immediately go through the roof and I'd be familiair with the entire roster, where they were drafted and how they project out as potential major leaguers in the future. I would also be a season ticket holder spending my summers at the ballpark.

I know that'll probably never happen, but it would change everything for me personally.

The problem with the Canaries in my view is they never go after that holdout in the draft or free agent veteran trying to make a comeback.... Scheppers and Crow who were first round and comp round picks and arguably top 10 talent if healthy and signable, both played in the American Association.... Darrel Strawberry, J.D. Drew as well as others have all played for the Saints or other teams in the league but the Canaries never really seem to get that guy.... Mahomes is probably the only player of theirs I have recognized in the past 5 years and I follow baseball pretty well and the only reason I recognized his name is because I have a homer hankey signed by him and Hrbek.... I think that they could get a AAA team if St. Paul or Sioux City ever got one.... they could get into the Midwest league (low A) if you could ever get Sioux City, Lincohn and St. Paul to get a team with them....