Soccer stadium in Chester, PA (Philadelphia, Allentown: apartment, condo, hotel)

[waltlantz]

IT depends really.

Revatilaztion is good for Chester but also, they would be really easy to sell on the project. You think someplace like Upper Darby or Radnor is gonna wanna have a huge hulking stadium in their little hamlets? Despite those demographics being the main audience of the team?

Most people who are gonna go to these games I would wager are suburban fans from Delco and Montco. I'm not sure about the caucasian population of the city, but inner city black kids don't give two hoots about soccer.

It probably would have been a better idea to put it in Camden county, if only to provide easier access for Bucks peeps.

[FindingZen]

I do see the point about Camden being convenient from a transit perspective. However, Delco, Chesco and even some Montco fans would be inconvenienced. And with all due respect to Camden and NJ, they have enough sports and other attractions to draw at the riverfront. Chester deserves an opportunity for more revitalization... and for PA to reap the benefits. Dedicated Bucks fans can still take the Turnpike and Blue Route over and down to Chester.

That said, I wonder if there might be plans to run shuttles from the Chester train station? I figure that might alleviate some of the issues involving transit.

[Mr. Opinion]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I do see the point about Camden being convenient from a transit perspective. However, Delco, Chesco and even some Montco fans would be inconvenienced. And with all due respect to Camden and NJ, they have enough sports and other attractions to draw at the riverfront. Chester deserves an opportunity for more revitalization... and for PA to reap the benefits. Dedicated Bucks fans can still take the Turnpike and Blue Route over and down to Chester.

That said, I wonder if there might be plans to run shuttles from the Chester train station? I figure that might alleviate some of the issues involving transit.

Highland Ave. R2 Stop will be quicker to the stadium. I think Septa should create a stop at Flower St to replace Lamokin Stop. There Fan's could walk right across a possible walkway over 291 (2nd st) to the stadium.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

I'm not sure about the caucasian population of the city, but inner city black kids don't give two hoots about soccer.

You're right - native Philadelphians aren't that into soccer.

But having played on an adult league in the city, plenty of people in the city will be going to games. Most of my team already has tickets to the "home" opener at the Linc.

Soccer is HUGE in the latin, carribean and african immigrant communities.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by Deep77

4-The Chester stadium is along SEPTA Regional Rail lines, so the stadium is still accessible.

This is actually my one gripe about the stadium location. The closest station is Highland Ave. in Chester . . . which is a mile from the stadium. There's no reason at all they couldn't have put it at the foot of Highland Ave.

I'm just hoping they extend the 37 bus for games. Having to transfer to a bus that comes once an hour is not fun at all.

[waltlantz]

Originally Posted by solibs

But having played on an adult league in the city, plenty of people in the city will be going to games.

How do you figure? Soccer is seen as a picnic diversion, not hard core sports by most Americans.

[solibs]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

How do you figure? Soccer is seen as a picnic diversion, not hard core sports by most Americans.

How do I figure that I'm going to the game with 20 people? Because we all have tickets?

Every time there has been a soccer exhibition match at the Linc the games have sold out. The NY Red Bulls who have been playing in Giants Stadium average 12,000 per game. DC, Chicago and Columbus average 15,000 and teams like Dallas and Kansas City average 10,000 per game. so my guess is that Philadelphia is going to be in that ballpark.

There are only 14 home games and the only thing soccer has to compete with are sold out Phillies games.

For me personally, transportation is the only issue. It's probably the difference between me going to half the home games and only 3 or 4.

[thekish]

Originally Posted by solibs

This is actually my one gripe about the stadium location. The closest station is Highland Ave. in Chester . . . which is a mile from the stadium. There's no reason at all they couldn't have put it at the foot of Highland Ave.

I'm just hoping they extend the 37 bus for games. Having to transfer to a bus that comes once an hour is not fun at all.

A mile away??? That is not accessible by mass transit. Rendell is an idiot.

[thekish]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

How do you figure? Soccer is seen as a picnic diversion, not hard core sports by most Americans.

They will have better attendence than the 76ers per game. For the season I bet they sell more tickets than Temple football, Temple Basketball or Villanova Basketball.

So far they have sold 9,000 season tickets.

[DarkWolf]

Soccer Stadiums like this one and the one opening in my state next month (first Euro-style stadium in North America) could be used as a center piece for Urban Renewal and Soccer is becoming very popular here in the US. I think a few other cities in the NE are planning them, i like design of your stadium. But no Transit link to Septa? Could they build a monorail connecting the stadium with the station or a Spur line to the Stadium , like they did near me for the new Meadowlands Stadium.