Scotiabank Arena (Air Canada Centre) Renovations

[junctionist]

I liked having the "hangar" as a nickname. Also, the corporate logo on the roof reminded you of the Leafs' emblem. But in the end, the name had little cultural value. It was an exercise in commercialism, unlike more civic names like Maple Leaf Gardens or the Montreal Forum.

 

[Kitsune]

Can't wait to cross the bridge from my office in CIBC Square to see a Raptors game in the Scotiabank Arena.

Of course... the biggest sign proclaiming Scotiabank Arena will be right across from CIBC square. They had to try and get some exposure ahead of CIBC down there.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Wonder if we'll have to use a PIN number to get into the Scotiabank Arena using your ticket at an ATM-like ticket taker machine?

 

[JasonParis]

Also interesting is how one of the only holdouts in North American professional sports - NYC's Madison Square Garden - built a brand out of the building's name, including a successful mini broadcast empire under MSG Networks.

 

[Johnny Au]

Don't forget MSG's main rival, YES, owned by the New York Yankees (it stands for Yankees Entertainment and Sports). The Yankees play in Yankees Stadium, which is never named after a corporation, as in a business primarily owned by shareholders.

 

[cirez]

I wonder if MLSE can get going on a more-proper PATH connection between the ACC, ahem Scotiabank Arena, and South Core now.

^This. The path connection is atrocious. They at least changed the door in the concourse area beside the Real Sports store to have larger glass on it, so at least it is a bit more visible, but the signage is terrible and those stairs suck. The elevator is also in a terrible spot and no one even knows it's there. Surely they could spend a bit of money to renovate that connection and put in escalators?

 

[sikandar]

The next 3 upgrades the ACC/Scotiabank Arena should consider IMHO, in order of importance:

1. Improved PATH connectivity - yes, those stairs are awful! An escalator that directly connects ACC's second level with the Union entrance off Maple Leaf Square is long overdue, especially with the Harbour Plaza/RBC/Sun Life traffic now. Transferring Union foot traffic to the second level gate would also help avoid the mosh pit that always forms at Gate 1.

2. Gate 1 Galleria uplift/lighting - only part of the arena that still looks untouched from 1999.

3. Green Roof - interior wood ceiling like MSG would be amazing but unrealistic. A nicely lit green roof would look incredible once all the buildings go up around it, not to mention all the practical benefits.

 

[narduch]

There's no way they will build a green roof. They have a large white canvas for their sponsor logo.

 

[heatscore]

Maybe they could landscape the logo, like the ones on the Gardiner by St. Josephs hospital.

 

[sikandar]

There's no way they will build a green roof. They have a large white canvas for their sponsor logo.

Easy peasy.

 

[DSC]

If/when they are renovating ACC, they REALLY need to do something about the PATH access from the ACC lobby that goes up very steep stairs to the above ground PATH route leading to Waterfront Place etc. The elevator (accessed from outside) seldom works and it makes little sense to force people outside in any case. (Yes, one can go into Maple Leaf Square and get to PATH that way but that is an even longer outside walk.

 

[raptor]

These were put up on the ACC

 

[Filip]

Oh God - I forgot about Scotiabank ruining another sports venue with its branding.

 

[UT Daily]

Oh God - I forgot about Scotiabank ruining another sports venue with its branding.

Scotiabank's renovation plans are actually quite awesome. As an insider in the project I can tell you that the exterior signage will be pretty innovative, the first of its kind in North America in fact. Stay tuned for more details coming out soon.

 

[DSC]

Scotiabank's renovation plans are actually quite awesome. As an insider in the project I can tell you that the exterior signage will be pretty innovative, the first of its kind in North America in fact. Stay tuned for more details coming out soon.

Let's hope their plans are more than 'innovative signage' - fixing the PATH connection (the damned stairs!) would be a good first step. (Lots of discussion on this recently on CIBC Square thread dur to the new PATH connection across Bay Street south of the rail berm.)