Wachovia Arena or PNC Field? (Luzerne: buying, quality of life, shop)

[W-B proud]

Which has been a better asset to NEPA? i know that recently PNC Field has been having issues lately, but in it's hay-day what venue has been more of a blessing to have? I personally enjoy having both here. I am not a baseball fan, especially not a Yankees fan, but I still believe it is good for the region, and add's to the overall entertainment options, and quality of life of our region (as long as we don't get stuck with the bill) Overall... I think the Arena is the better of the two, just because of the many options it has brought to the area. You can see a hockey game, you can see an arena football game, you can see a concert, you can see a circus, you can hold graduation commencments ect. It is a all year round facility, where as PNC Field is baseball only, it's only a summertime venue, and it appears to have been poorly constructed. Anyway, like I said, It is good to have both facilities here in NEPA. Even if PNC Field has seen better days. What are your thoughts.

[NYRangers 2008]

I agree. Wachovia has much more options with things to see than PNC Field. And me being a rabid hockey, I might be a little biased towards the arena.

[61scout80]

i think the stadium paved the way for the arena. both have been beneficial, but the arena wins.

I think the arena did better for its closer proximity to a city. it was easy for businesses to open up shop and not rely on a game to bring in business. where montage mountain is sort of out of the way for the local residents.

[go phillies]

I say Lackawanna County Stadium (still can't get used to this PNC Field name)....the stadium and the Red Barons put this area on the map as far as pro sports, and if the stadium was never built, I'll bet the arena might have never been built. Plus, the stadium was the catalyst for the rest of the Montage development, especially the Toyota Pavilion, which brings more big name concerts to the area than the arena. Also have a lot of good memories of growing up since my early teens with the Red Barons. The stadium may have had some problems lately, but its nothing that a new drainage system and a few cosmetic updates wouldn't solve. The arena is a great asset too, but arenas really aren't all that different from each other...if you've seen one, you've seen them all. You won't find two ballparks exactly alike.

Plus, I'll take baseball over hockey and arena football anyday. Although the Pioneers have been stimulating the local economy by creating more demand for corrections officers at the Luzerne County Prison..

[go phillies]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

It is a all year round facility, where as PNC Field is baseball only, it's only a summertime venue, and it appears to have been poorly constructed

Well...the stadium used to be a year round facility, when it had artificial turf, it hosted football, soccer, band competitions, ice skating, concerts, etc. Although I'm glad it now has grass, because baseball is just not meant to be played on astroturf. What stinks is that the grass field was not put in right, because Cordaro wanted to make sure he got the Yankees in here because he thought the Yankees were going to be his ticket to re-election. I really don't think the stadium was poorly constructed, I think all of this complaining about the stadium is because they want an excuse to demand a new stadium, which we don't need. Its still a nice place to watch a game, and doesn't appear run-down or structurally unsound. If anything, it hasn't been properly maintained over the years, but I still think they should just put in a new drainage system and make some cosmetic updates, and the place should be fine for years to come. If the Yankees don't like it, they can leave and we can affiliate with another team. We do still own the franchise, and as long as we have the franchise, we're guaranteed a AAA team.

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by go phillies

Well...the stadium used to be a year round facility, when it had artificial turf, it hosted football, soccer, band competitions, ice skating, concerts, etc. Although I'm glad it now has grass, because baseball is just not meant to be played on astroturf. What stinks is that the grass field was not put in right, because Cordaro wanted to make sure he got the Yankees in here because he thought the Yankees were going to be his ticket to re-election. I really don't think the stadium was poorly constructed, I think all of this complaining about the stadium is because they want an excuse to demand a new stadium, which we don't need. Its still a nice place to watch a game, and doesn't appear run-down or structurally unsound. If anything, it hasn't been properly maintained over the years, but I still think they should just put in a new drainage system and make some cosmetic updates, and the place should be fine for years to come. If the Yankees don't like it, they can leave and we can affiliate with another team. We do still own the franchise, and as long as we have the franchise, we're guaranteed a AAA team.

I like your status quote: If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line...but it better work this time! Peace sells, but who's buying?

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by go phillies

I say Lackawanna County Stadium (still can't get used to this PNC Field name)....the stadium and the Red Barons put this area on the map as far as pro sports, and if the stadium was never built, I'll bet the arena might have never been built. Plus, the stadium was the catalyst for the rest of the Montage development, especially the Toyota Pavilion, which brings more big name concerts to the area than the arena. Also have a lot of good memories of growing up since my early teens with the Red Barons. The stadium may have had some problems lately, but its nothing that a new drainage system and a few cosmetic updates wouldn't solve. The arena is a great asset too, but arenas really aren't all that different from each other...if you've seen one, you've seen them all. You won't find two ballparks exactly alike.

Plus, I'll take baseball over hockey and arena football anyday. Although the Pioneers have been stimulating the local economy by creating more demand for corrections officers at the Luzerne County Prison..

You make some good points. The stadium has been mismanaged and the Red Barons should have never left. The stadium could be used as a more multi-purpose venue than it is now. I remember when it first opened Aerosmith played there. I guess they don't have concerts there anymore because of the pavilion, but I would rather see a concert at the stadium than trekking all the way up that mountain. Actually, I've been to many hockey arenas and they are all unique in some way, but not like the old, historic buildings in the old days. Your comment about the Pioneers was funny.