Rochester's Dream Dies

BlueLightning · Sep 15, 2002

Originally posted by Stan Collins
Yes, it would be truer to say that the stadium would probably not be viable (without being a ward of the city) without the presence of both teams. Which is why the Rhinos need either to move on, or at very least have a credible threat in hand to do so in order to secure far better terms for playing in it.

It's notable that the city plans on trying to get its hands on the money the state had allocated for a Rhinos stadium for a $15 million retrofit of Frontier (how much was the state going to pny up? why, $15 million). Frank DuRoss needs another option so tht he can say "I'll see you in hell before I see you collect $15 million for the purpose of my inprisonment.
Click to expand...

He needs to get the state to tell Rochester that unless they use it for it's original purpose (building the Rhinos stadium), they won't get the $15 mill.

Whether or not that's going to happen, I don't know.

efren95 · Sep 16, 2002

Re: What a blow?

Originally posted by Laramie4OKC
It's not like Rochester is trying to build something for an NFL or NHL franchise.

Here is a community which could be successful with one major professional sports franchise. Maybe it's not a Fab Four franchise; however, it's the next best league in line.

The Rhinos are profitable and $15 million is only 5 per cent of what New York would be asking to build a new stadium for the Yankees.

Visionaries here in Oklahoma City went before our voters and asked for the money we needed to build a new 19,000-seat NHL-NBA quality arena; AAA baseball park, downtown riverwalk canal, North Canadian Riverfront Development (3 strategic dams) and 5 other projects. Plain and simple we told them that it was a vote for our city's future and it passed.

Rochester needs that $15 million along with some future local public financing and private donations.

Forget about renovation of Frontier Field, don't settle for this--it should be a new stadium or nothing.

Take the $15 million and build what you can.

Lacrossse may not be in the future (as a league) for Rochester and it may not have anything to do with your community support for Lacrosse.

The quality of what you get built of that stadium alone at 16,000-seats will make the voters eventually support it when it comes time to expanding it 22,000 - 25,000 seats to meet MLS specifications.

Make sure that when you vote on these projects that they are bundled (all or nothing) and include some infrastructure projects, arts and some projects that improve the quality of life image of a beautiful city like Rochester.

Once the money is committed for expansion, Rochester is in and one season at 16,000-seats will create a demand for MLS tickets.

MLS will accept Rochester as long as they know that the money is there for stadium expansion. This is part of your stadium plan.

Good luck, Rochester--don't settle for less!
Click to expand...

You know what, guys?

Laramie is right. Rochester will eventually come back like the "Ave Phoenix" in the Greek mythology.

Besides, let me tell you: of all cities I visited in the Northeast, Rochester was the one I would enjoy living in.

What a beautiful city, what an incredible community.

Boy, was I envious.! Of course, I wasn't there when the snow was falling... When winter comes, I rather stay under the hot sun of South Texas.