Tulsa Talons may have to move?

[sgrizzle]

This may belong in sports so move it if it needs moved.

It was stated in today's paper that remodeling of the old convention center will start before the new arena is complete, leaving the talons homeless for the 2008 season.

Is this true?

Bad planning?

[DM]

It would be nice to have them completed around the same time. Maybe they can play at the expo center?

[Breadburner]

Oilers are moving to the Pavillion.....Which is where they should stay....It's a much better venue for minor-league hockey...

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

Oilers are moving to the Pavillion.....Which is where they should stay....It's a much better venue for minor-league hockey...

They said the pavilion would require renovations as well as a long-term contract.

Keep in mind the existing convention center is technically too small for AFL2 league play and they only operate under a special exemption. I can't imagine the pavilion is bigger.

[MichaelC]

Shoot, knowing the people who run the Talons, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to land themselves in the UMAC.  If it's big enough.  

They only play 8 regular season home games, and they've had conflicts before.  A couple years ago, I believe they had 3 road games and 1 bye week before they made it home.  AF2 is pretty flexible.

[LilMikey]

The Talons can't move to the Fairgrounds because unless I'm mistaken, the Pavillion doesn't meet with the AFL2's arena requirements.  (I think it's too small.)

With current ownership closing the Talons down wouldn't be too bad of an idea.  Primoo has turned it into a joke and does it to help sooth his son's ego.  (His son, by the way, holds the record for having been escorted from the arena for disruptive behavior from hockey games where he was nothing more than a spectator.)

[sgrizzle]

I want the talons to stay around for justification to try to get AFL instead of AF2.

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

Oilers are moving to the Pavillion.....Which is where they should stay....It's a much better venue for minor-league hockey...

They said the pavilion would require renovations as well as a long-term contract.

Keep in mind the existing convention center is technically too small for AFL2 league play and they only operate under a special exemption. I can't imagine the pavilion is bigger.

Pavillion is a done deal for the Oilers....

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

This may belong in sports so move it if it needs moved.

It was stated in today's paper that remodeling of the old convention center will start before the new arena is complete, leaving the talons homeless for the 2008 season.

Is this true?

Bad planning?

This is the unfortunate by-product of the rebidding/escalating cost situation. The original completion date for the new arena was supposed to be April 2008 -- JUST in time for the Talons' season opener. Once they had to rebid several contracts it pushed the arena opening to August 2008. That's only 4 months, but unfortunately those are exactly the 4 months of the af2 season.

So of the two primary tenants, it'll be the Oilers who open the new building in the Fall of 2008.

Sucks for the Talons, though. I love going to their games. Hope they figure something out.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE


This is the unfortunate by-product of the rebidding/escalating cost situation. The original completion date for the new arena was supposed to be April 2008 -- JUST in time for the Talons' season opener. Once they had to rebid several contracts it pushed the arena opening to August 2008. That's only 4 months, but unfortunately those are exactly the 4 months of the af2 season.

So of the two primary tenants, it'll be the Oilers who open the new building in the Fall of 2008.

Sucks for the Talons, though. I love going to their games. Hope they figure something out.

Why not delay the convention center a few months?

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE


This is the unfortunate by-product of the rebidding/escalating cost situation. The original completion date for the new arena was supposed to be April 2008 -- JUST in time for the Talons' season opener. Once they had to rebid several contracts it pushed the arena opening to August 2008. That's only 4 months, but unfortunately those are exactly the 4 months of the af2 season.

So of the two primary tenants, it'll be the Oilers who open the new building in the Fall of 2008.

Sucks for the Talons, though. I love going to their games. Hope they figure something out.

Why not delay the convention center a few months?

They have contracts signed with conventions that require the renovated ballroom space. Push back the convention center remodel and they lose that business.

Hopefully, someone has analyzed the Talons vs. convention business revenue in all this. If kicking the Talons out for a few conventions winds up with a net loss, that would be horrible.