Memorial Cup Bid - lets go for it

I am surprised that this topic has not been brought up ?

This is a BIG thread on the NOOF

Our owner (part) Mr Tulio has reported that - YES he plans to support a bid for the GENS to host the event

Why has it been so quiet then - I believe bids are submitted before X MAS

Do I think we should - Why not - sooner or later it must come to the east

We are a few players shy - BUT every team trades up when they become the host team, the last 2 OHL teams - KITCHENER & LONDON both loaded up

I don't want to hear anyone say we have no hotels - Oshawa - Whitby - Ajax - Scarborough - 20 minute drive

I didn't mind a 20 minute drive - for the World junior championships in Ottawa - some people I talked to had a 40 minute drive

What other team is more worthy - not Kingston or Belleville - Petes barn too small - Barrie too small

After all we did host the Mem Cup over 20 yrs ago at the civic and did a GREAT job

Let's get on the Mem Cup band wagon - Let the tradition continue - GO GENS GO

Hosting the Cup would be a great experience for the city and the players. I do worry about trying to trade for bigger players so soon into the rebulding process. Not sure if the timing is right.

Look at it this way

You only get a chance to bid every 3 years

We do have 2 college kids we could lure with a successful bid

We do have some picks we can use for trade bait

With a successful bid - maybe the Islanders would let Calvin stay - great experience and leader

Possiblities are endless with successful bid

Next years picks would be more likely to report

I would love to see the Memorial Cup in Oshawa but you can't say hotels are not a factor. If I'm a tourist, I don't want to be on the 401 during rush hour from Scarborough or Ajax to get to a 7:00 game. You can't compare to cities where the hotels are walking distance to the rink or like Quebec City, maybe not walking distance, an easy public transit trip from an absolutely spectacular tourist district. Downtown Oshawa is improving but still has a long way to go before being considered tourist-friendly.

The problem with hotels in Durham is not so much quantity but location. They aren't located on Kingston Rd. or Brock/Dundas in Whitby for example, they're along the highway. That doesn't sell for such an event and makes Durham look like a highway rest stop. We all know there is more to offer but the hotel situation doesn't make it look like that.

tell them to take the train

maybe you could get JT & DZ back for a real bid as host !

just kidding.

We can make the bid, but we probably will not win. There are a few factors outside hotels being in shortage.

The number one factor is how much money Oshawa is willing to put up. $$$$ talks. We don't put up...we won't even be considered. If I remember correctly, this was one of the top reasons we didn't get the bid the last time.

On top of the financial expectations that have to be met by the club, there is politics behind these bids.

I would love it don't get me wrong. But I wouldn't hold my breath, that Oshawa will be awarded any bids in the near future. It wouldn't suprise me if the bid was awarded to Kingston.

We need more than a Memorial Cup to justify building a Hotel downtown. Oshawa isn't exactly a tourist hot spot. We had three but they were nothing to be proud of.

just re-open the Million Dollar Saloon and dynasty while were at it. really spice up the downtown.

Main Street was my hangout. I really miss the Lancaster.

bigE88 wrote:just re-open the Million Dollar Saloon and dynasty while were at it. really spice up the downtown.

The "Pig-pen!"

Gens Fan 112 wrote:

bigE88 wrote:just re-open the Million Dollar Saloon and dynasty while were at it. really spice up the downtown.

The "Pig-pen!"

what about that dive the Queens

GENNY wrote:Main Street was my hangout. I really miss the Lancaster.

The good old days what ever happened to them I'll tell you Rap music & CD's..

The Queens was torn down.

GENNY wrote:The Queens was torn down.

when I was alot younger we walked into the queens to use the bathroom. WHen my friend asked where it was, the bartender said it was out of service and to just use the floor because it was easier to clean !!

Are you guys saying we should demolish more buildings in order to bid for the cup? LOL

Wasn't there just a plan approved recently to build a new hotel somewhere downtown-ish?

Your right all the talk out of council was a Hilton was being built where the old Queens was. So are we being told now it ain't happening surprise surprise!!!! I guess the built it they will come really does work lol

UGENS wrote:Your right all the talk out of council was a Hilton was being built where the old Queens was. So are we being told now it ain't happening surprise surprise!!!! I guess the built it they will come really does work lol

Unless you read something recently,the last I read was it's being delayed till next year because of the economy.

That's my point originally the project was a done deal and the Hilton was to be started last spring past . Convient that promise was made before the GM crisis . I don't trust what comes out of council anymore except what's on all our tax bills!!!!

So now the OHL has another excuse not to accept a good bid from our team right!!!

UGENS(Karon)

Barrie city council is giving the Colts almost 200,000$ for there bid

archer_gens wrote:Barrie city council is giving the Colts almost 200,000$ for there bid

It's going to take alot more $,$$$,$$$ than $200,000 I bet the mem cup committee are

That's just what the city is putting up. You have to factor in the team and the corporate community to figure out the real figure.

more then oshawa has put up so far lol

It would seem Windsor is the favourite -- they meet the criteria of strong team, modern arena, sufficient seating , etc., but hotels may be a similar issue. Detroit hotels would help out, but that's less accessible than Toronto hotels from Oshawa.

In my opinion, Oshawa has all the same factors going for it, and I actually think the Gens have a decent shot. Barrie is getting a lot of attention, but 4,000 seats is a little small. For the event to break even, you end up with very expensive tickets like in Rimouski, and if I'm not mistaken, weren't there a couple of round robin games last year that failed to sell out?

The GM Centre has top of the line amenities, a true restaurant/bar, the medallion seats are tailor made for scouts between the view and space, and Oshawa certainly has the tradition.

I wonder if the hotel situation is overblown somewhat -- it's the rare junior hockey facility that has sufficient hotels in walking distance. And after all, junior hockey teams or NHL scouts usually stay at a Courtyard or comparable Marriott (Marriott works well with hockey groups, typically giving a very reasonable rate), there's no need for a Hyatt or Four Seasons.

I think Oshawa should go for it -- many felt Oshawa was a favorite last time and that might lead some sentiment in the city's favour. Three years from now, that sentiment may fade.