Palace Nightclub on Stephen Avenue Mall has had it coming for a long time. Finally, they’re about to open and the details are being made public. Watch 8th Ave. for a Concorde Entertainment Group style opening with all the stops pulled out – something you could only do in Calgary.

THE CALGARY FLAMES & CONCORDE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP RELEASE NAME AND LOGO FOR NEW HYBRID SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY & RESTAURANT OPENING MARCH 2007

For Immediate Release

January 24, 2007

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames Hockey Club and The Concorde Entertainment Group announced today that the names of the new hybrid sports entertainment facility & restaurant taking shape in the landmark Stephen Avenue Palace Theatre location will be FLAMES CENTRAL & WILDFIRE GRILL respectively.

Flames Central is a unique North American venue and a modern day hybrid version of the interactive “sports bar” that will provide sports fans with an opportunity to enjoy the history of The Calgary Flames through original memorabilia, state of the art contemporary décor and cutting edge entertainment options. Flames Central will not only play host as a modern day sports viewing coliseum, but will also play host as a special event facility, conference center and concert hall.

Wildfire Grill will provide Flames Central guests a casual upscale dining experience. Open daily for lunch and throughout each evening, Wildfire Grill is sure to be an exciting addition to the already booming Stephen Avenue restaurant scene.

Construction for this project continues, and the opening is slated for March 2007.

It’s been a while since we’ve been updated on the Waterfront Stadium, something hit my mailbox from Bob Lenarduzzi this week:

Dear Raj,

It has been quite some time since we last communicated with you, our stadium supporters, about the new stadium. Since July 11, we have been actively working to address the five key requirements that were raised by City Council. Through our discussions with the City and the Port Authority, there is now a new proposed stadium site situated slightly west of the previously proposed site, just north of the CP Rail tracks, on the waterfront and near the SeaBus hub. We are optimistic that the new site will be significant in allowing us to successfully address the five key issues.

As always, we encourage you to lend your support by writing letters to your councilors. A City Council meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. on February 1, at which time City Staff will present their updated report with recommendations for the process of resolving the five issues, in conjunction with the Central Waterfront Hub Study.

As a key part of the process, there will be extensive public consultation including one-on-one meetings, public open houses and workshops. We anticipate the open houses will take place in early March and thus we will provide more details about attending when they become available.

Thank you again for all of your support for our vision of a Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. We will be in touch with you when the next important announcement is made. In the meantime, visit whitecapsnewstadium.com for more information.

Sincerely,

Bob Lenarduzzi

Director, Soccer Operations
Vancouver Whitecaps FC

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Today Vancouver city staff submitted a report to Council which recommends a process that could potentially resolve the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium’s five key requirements set out by City Council last July. In addition, the report outlines a procedure to integrate the stadium with the Waterfront Hub Study. The report will be presented at a City Council meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 1.
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STADIUM QUICK FACTS

The proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium would be located adjacent to Vancouver’s transit hub making it easily accessible from the new Canada Line, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express, Helijet and numerous bus routes. The multi-purpose venue would accommodate year-round events including more than 30 Whitecaps Men’s and Women’s games, Canadian national team soccer matches, international sporting events such as rugby and tennis, concerts, and community festivals. The stadium is expected to have an initial seating capacity of 15,000, including a number of suites and loge box facilities.

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STADIUM NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Here’s a look at some recent and proposed stadiums around the world.

BMO Field

“Toronto FC will have their home at the new BMO Field soccer-specific stadium currently under construction. The stadium, which will seat 20,000 fans, also will be a new major home of the Canadian National Teams.”

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Red Bull Park

“Upon its 2008 completion, Red Bull Park will arguably be the finest soccer stadium in the United States and will be the metropolitan New York area’s home for soccer, concerts, collegiate and scholastic special events. Complete with wide pedestrian-friendly boulevards landscaped with lush green trees and a combination of restaurants, pubs, retail, offices and residential options, Red Bull Park will become a destination place for many years to come.”

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Emirates Stadium

“Emirates Stadium is the most spectacular and technologically advanced football stadium in Europe, incorporating state-of-the-art facilities with stunning features from Arsenal’s Highbury past.”

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EMIRATES STADIUM VIRTUAL TOUR…