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It sounds like a front for a billionaire or a group of billionaires who want to plop 8 million down to build the massive 9 ring facility for themselves, and either some athlete they like in hockey, or some team they own or like that they'll invite just so they'll go there and use it. Then they put a regular face on it as they're go-to joe to handle the city council meetings, because billionaires don't have time to manage the public with everything they're involved in. Saying they'll include the public with outreach programs as a charitable thing is to get the public on their side.
Unfortunately a big part of the problem with hockey in the US is that the major organizations running it (USA Hockey and NHL) are horrible and inept at reaching out to minority groups and less economically well-off people. I've been going to rinks in the area for quite a few years now and there is little to no diversity among the players--almost everyone is white and well-off. Those are simply observations, as the guys are of great character and very few folks take themselves too seriously. The funny thing is that the higher leagues would probably benefit from the increased pool of people involved in a genuinely fun sport.
Quote:
Originally Posted by qjbusmaster
they should try who knows they could become great at hockey if they put in effort.
Unfortunately with hockey it's not as easy as just jumping on the ice and doing stuff. Coaching is very important to be able to develop proper habits. Skating is inherently difficult and adding hockey skills compounds that. There's a reason why most good players first hit the ice when they're young.
And that doesn't account for the costs of equipment, ice time, leagues, travel, and other things I may not have mentioned.
If they actually wanted to draw gentrification they'd use this place to house amenities attractive to the gentry. No one moves to a neighborhood because a hockey stadium is there. It's a well known fact of urban planning that these stadium centered urban renewal projects never work as touted. They draw suburbanites in a couple of days a week, and might support a couple of bars and restaurants next to the venue, and that's it.
The blocks immediately south of the Armory actually have some really nice houses. Take a look on Google Street Views on Grand Avenue and Davidson Avenue from West 192nd Street to Kingsbridge Road.
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