POLL: Do you want an OUTDOOR stadium or happy with the dome?

[Zarquon]

Considering how much it rains in Vancouver a retractable Dome would be best. For now I'm more than happy with our current situation.

[Robbie]

Considering how much it rains in Vancouver a retractable Dome would be best. For now I'm more than happy with our current situation.

According to Wikipedia, it was the cold, rain-soaked November 1982 CFL Grey Cup game, held at the outdoor Toronto's Exhibition Stadium, that spurred the process of looking for a new stadium. The game was tormented by cold weather and rains, the washrooms overflowed, and spectators were exposed to the harsh weather.

One would think that a retractable roof stadium would be the best compromise for everybody in that it could make a game indoors or outdoors. But apparently, that is not the case as it seems like retractable roof stadiums aren't nearly as popular as one imagined. The city of Seattle, with billionaire Paul Allen, elected an all-outdoor stadium over a retractable roof for Qwest Field. And in recent years, there have been numerous discussions about the Argos wanting to move out of Rogers Centre.

[Zarquon]

Considering how much it rains in Vancouver a retractable Dome would be best. For now I'm more than happy with our current situation.

According to Wikipedia, it was the cold, rain-soaked November 1982 CFL Grey Cup game, held at the outdoor Toronto's Exhibition Stadium, that spurred the process of looking for a new stadium. The game was tormented by cold weather and rains, the washrooms overflowed, and spectators were exposed to the harsh weather.

One would think that a retractable roof stadium would be the best compromise for everybody in that it could make a game indoors or outdoors. But apparently, that is not the case as it seems like retractable roof stadiums aren't nearly as popular as one imagined. The city of Seattle, with billionaire Paul Allen, elected an all-outdoor stadium over a retractable roof for Qwest Field. And in recent years, there have been numerous discussions about the Argos wanting to move out of Rogers Centre.

Seattle's decision had more to do with cost than with desire. In addition they originally were going to put natural grass on that field (although later changed their minds because the players preferred the FieldTurf), that played into the decision for an outdoor stadium.

As for Toronto they want to play in a stadium that they can sell out.

[Passaglia]

After getting frost bite at a game in Winnpeg in '92 and sitting in that freezing cold/pouring rain in Hamilton this year I will gladly keep going to games in the dome!!

[Rammer]

Best opiton has to be the retractable roof for the stadium and isn't on the poll. Otherwise it is simply the Dome sweet Dome mantra.

[Reider]

I am a Rider fan, but I feel I can contribute to this discussion as I have been to the Metrodome in Minneapolis many many (dozens?) times. I really like having a dome, but on nice days it's nice to have the game outside. It would be nice if you had a stadium with a retractable roof.

[Reider]

Best opiton has to be the retractable roof for the stadium and isn't on the poll. Otherwise it is simply the Dome sweet Dome mantra.

Yeah, I was thinking the exact same thing, retractable roof should be on the poll.. best option imo.

[D]

give me the great outdoors ..... unless retractable is in the budget 8)

[hwgill]

Outdoor is fine in the summer/early fall, but late fall? I wouldn't go...I hate the cold at the best of times.

[GCG]

give me the great outdoors ..... unless retractable is in the budget 8)

And the design in Arizona ( a Canadian firm) was done at a fraction of the cost of Skydome. Curious that the design was an option for Skydome Corp. back then. But somehow got rejected.

[Belize City Lion]

I always thought it was a mistake to put the Stadium downtown and still do. The bulk of the population doesn't live downtown and never will.

Having a stadium downtown is important to a city. Teams like the Detroit Lions who experimented with suburban stadiums are moving back to downtown stadiums. It's not that the Detroit Lions didn't fill the house in Pontiac, it's that the city of Detroit saw the value of having their team play games downtown.

The BC Lions may similarly draw just fine at a stadium in Surrey, but the city of Vancouver needs to understand the importance of keeping the games downtown. Sure the land BC Place is on may be worth millions, but at the same time the land encompassed by Stanley Park would be worth billions. Should Stanley Park be de-reserved to allow condos to be built? Or is there a greater benefit to a city that having parks and stadiums provide to the overall quality of life and vibrance of the community?

[Toppy Vann]

While this poll is interesting, it begs the question and the new reality - governments are not likely to participate in funding such ventures for pro sports. This isn't the USA where County administrations poll and then build stadiums to attract and retain NFL teams and maybe even NHL hockety teams in some markets. If BC Place were lost I can't see a BC Lions owner now or in future wanting to fund a new outdoor facility.

[Rammer]

While this poll is interesting, it begs the question and the new reality - governments are not likely to participate in funding such ventures for pro sports. This isn't the USA where County administrations poll and then build stadiums to attract and retain NFL teams and maybe even NHL hockety teams in some markets. If BC Place were lost I can't see a BC Lions owner now or in future wanting to fund a new outdoor facility.

GM Place seems to be doing alright. The problem that many government funded stadiums don't think overall revenue, just put up a obx that will meet minimum needs. GM Place was made for hockey, but alos is a great venue for other events, and as I understand is occupied all year long due to this. A private owner for a football stadium would have to weigh off this cost against the remaining 340 days of the year that football isn't being played. Can it be done, I think so, but with the real estate of Vancouver, they may have to get a break on the land from the local governments in order to do so. Private ownership will have a more financial tight budget, and get more for their money in the end. Construction knows they can screw over the government funded construction operations, by inflating costs as they go along.

[AC/DC Rocks]

Football was meant to be played on natural grass, how many times has it rained during a Lions home game? A few years ago I heard it was like 10 or 12, since 1983.
Not sure of the present #.

Retractable roof stadium like Quest field would be purrfect

[Robbie]

Retractable roof stadium like Quest field would be purrfect

Seattle Seahawks' Qwest Field does NOT have a retractable roof.

Are you getting it confused with the Seattle Mariners' baseball stadium Safeco Field, which has the retractable roof?