Johnstown wins Hockeyville USA

[Manfred]

My vote is for Windber and the Iron Horse complex. No politics or conflicting civic groups involved.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Yeah with ALL the money the Stadium pulls in from hosting McCort athletics and the AAABA tournament and league, plus with that money they got JUST 10 years ago, you would think that place should self sustain and be able to finish behind home plate and replace the old light fixtures and move the alternate press box to the center of the field.

What's the price for McCort baseball games? I think that will really put a dent into the cost of all those projects.

Screw civic pride and a community binding together to win a contest.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Out of curiosity, of all the members that have participated in this thread, name the last event you attended at each of the main Johnstown sporting venues.

I'll go first.

I was at a McCort-Central Cambria baseball game last Spring.

I attended the Three Dog Night/Beach Boys concert in March of 2014.

Ok, your turns.

[Crimson's Ghost]

My vote is for Windber and the Iron Horse complex. No politics or conflicting civic groups involved.

But what if Ricky Roberts went to a Catholic High School?

[abpk2903]

Tomahawks game Spring of 2014. I was kinda impressed by the product and enjoyed it much more than ECHL action. This league has some talented players and the skill was actually there to maybe someday produce some NHLers.

Really wish they had a better area venue for this product. Maybe I'll give it another try once they get the new bulbs in for the scoreboard.

I was at point stadium for a playoff football game (I think it was McCort vs CR) and once to see Deweld play in the AAABA playoffs. Both of those products could be played in high school venues. There was absolutely no reason to dump $8,000,000 into Point Stadium for a product that can't compete with local DIII athletics. Basically the taxpayers of PA built a venue for McCort sports. You're welcome!!!!

[Crimson's Ghost]

The War Memorial isn't a bad venue, since they received the money they did replace all the seats. It needs touched up, every sporting venue does.

I mean Penn State put on a brand new giant light up logo, Pitt built a new lockerroom at the Pete. They can do it because he university operates and owns the venues and they can sustain putting money into the place.

For what the war memorial hosts, after costs and paying employees not much in the treasure chest for repairs.

Anyone knows $150,000 K isn't a lot of money, but getting the Penguins to have a game here is pretty cool. Having 3,000 people celebrate on national TV was pretty cool.

I don't know, maybe me being an actual resident born and raised it meant more to me.

[abpk2903]

I actually think you and I agree on the biggest issue here. I look at it as a negative thing, you look a positive thing.

Those 2 venues will never, ever, ever be profitable to the city, county, or state. They may be OK now but in 10-15 years they will again be looking for a multi-million dollar tax payer grant to be renovated. The city once again will probably cling to this "landmark attractions" and pull some strings in Harrisburg to get them more funds.

You have ties a lot closer to the city than me and look at it as a way to bring some sort of tourism/fans to the city and create some revenue. You also get to see your high school play sports in a nicer venue than nearly all the other schools in the area.

I look at it this way. Why keep dumping millions into these old archaic downtown venues? Point Stadium could be a simple $2,000,000 brand spanking new multi sport complex and serve the exact same purpose at 25% the price tag. What does the war memorial bring to the city? Galactic Ice could serve the same purpose and I doubt it would have cost $8,000,000 to construct. A small manageable arena for local high school and club hockey teams. How many times in the past 3 years has an event actually filled the War Memorial to capacity? When was the last time a "headliner" concert was held there? Have be tomahawks ever sold out? I like the competition of the Tomahawks but honestly what do they do to help the city?

[Jrs237]

It's money, publicity, and most importantly: a feel good moment for the city; I'm all for it.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Yeah it's not about the money really, have to look past that aspect. I'm just happy for the people of the town and area doing something on their own.

Good notoriety, good press for a change, get a Penguins game and they won a national contest. So maybe they get a new zamboni on top of that, that works out too.

[Manfred]

Curious. The TV said the other day, in the hype leading up to the finale, that 5,000 tickets had been doled out. Yet, the T-D article reported an estimated 3,500 fans. Why would 1,500 rabid Hockeyville fans not show up? abpk, again, excellent points.