Glendale won't renew Coyotes' arena lease (Mesa, Tempe: layoffs, movie theaters, price)

[Sno0909]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

There are 34 restaurants/bar at Westgate. One can walk from one to the next. Then there is the 75,000 square foot Desert Diamond casino, and at least 3 hotels, and the outlet mall. There is a free shuttle to take people around the various points of interest. I sometimes wonder while reading your posts on Westgate if you have been there in the last 15 years - or ever.

https://westgateaz.com/food-fun/dining-directory/
https://westgateaz.com/explore/map/

It looks upscale and cool when you are there, then you realize it doesn't actually feel that way. The clientele there is always sketchy.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

It's still not the primary attraction in Vegas. Compared to the casinos, nightlife, and the multitude of shows a person can see in one trip, pro sports is pretty low on the list for visitors. I will say that for the visitors who DO happen to take in some games during their stays, they don't have far to venture because the Golden Knights play in an arena right off the Strip, and the NFL stadium is right off I15 near Mandalay Bay and other attractions. Compare that to the location of the Cards & Coyotes: both are too far out of the way for many people.

Sports is becoming more prominent in the offerings for the city. They're even promoting the destination as "The Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World".
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/n...m-ads-2429949/

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

There are 34 restaurants/bar at Westgate. One can walk from one to the next. Then there is the 75,000 square foot Desert Diamond casino, and at least 3 hotels, and the outlet mall. There is a free shuttle to take people around the various points of interest. I sometimes wonder while reading your posts on Westgate if you have been there in the last 15 years - or ever.

https://westgateaz.com/food-fun/dining-directory/
https://westgateaz.com/explore/map/

I've been to Westgate twice: 2004 when it was new, and again in 2010. Those were the only times I had a reason to go out that way to see anything which sparked my interest. It's great that there's a shuttle service, but what kind of reliable transportation options are there for commuting TO Westgate besides by car? What kinds of other cultural events (museums, etc.) can a person take in over there within walking distance? As I said before, nearly anything I care to attend regarding concerts or sporting events is downtown. I have the option of taking the train directly to the venues, and not having to fight traffic or hassle with parking like I would at Westgate!

Originally Posted by timothyaw

Sports is becoming more prominent in the offerings for the city. They're even promoting the destination as "The Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World".
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/n...m-ads-2429949/

You're probably right, especially since Vegas also hosts all star games. Plus, it's a prime destination for sports betting. I am glad that sports betting was FINALLY legalized in AZ so that we can keep a large amount of the revenue here instead of it going to Nevada or elsewhere.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

It looks upscale and cool when you are there, then you realize it doesn't actually feel that way. The clientele there is always sketchy.

I walked in the casino once. I spin around inside of 1 minute and got the hell out of there. “Interesting” folks.

That said, there is a lot more restaurants and entertainment around Westgate as compared to where the MN Wild play.

[FlurryCat]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

That said, there is a lot more restaurants and entertainment around Westgate as compared to where the MN Wild play.

Also more stuff than around where the Bruins, Penguins, Flyers and Hurricanes play, and those are "in-town" arenas.

[Bondurant]

Originally Posted by FlurryCat

Also more stuff than around where the Bruins, Penguins, Flyers and Hurricanes play, and those are "in-town" arenas.

This is like saying McDonald's is better than In-N-Out because they have more items on the menu. Restaurants and "stuff" around TD Garden Wells Fargo Center blows Westgate out the water on quality alone. Westgate is rather "meh".

[FlurryCat]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

This is like saying McDonald's is better than In-N-Out because they have more items on the menu. Restaurants and "stuff" around TD Garden Wells Fargo Center blows Westgate out the water on quality alone. Westgate is rather "meh".

No, McDonald's is better when you have somewhere else to be because it's faster. Before a game, I'd much rather sit down to a mediocre meal at Westgate than wait an hour to get into some 200sq.ft. 20-seat gastro pub for a $22 burger in Boston. I'm trying to get something to eat in the time between leaving the office and puck drop. I'll do my fine dining experience another night. Also, there are more family-friendly places at Westgate, not to mention the kids' activities around the arena.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

This is like saying McDonald's is better than In-N-Out because they have more items on the menu. Restaurants and "stuff" around TD Garden Wells Fargo Center blows Westgate out the water on quality alone. Westgate is rather "meh".

There are several restaurants outside of Westgate within striking distance. Re: MN Wild.. There are about a dozen spots to eat within walking distant from the eXcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN . Food is subjective. https://www.google.com/search?q=rest...trex_id:pLnzlf

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by FlurryCat

No, McDonald's is better when you have somewhere else to be because it's faster. Before a game, I'd much rather sit down to a mediocre meal at Westgate than wait an hour to get into some 200sq.ft. 20-seat gastro pub for a $22 burger in Boston. I'm trying to get something to eat in the time between leaving the office and puck drop. I'll do my fine dining experience another night. Also, there are more family-friendly places at Westgate, not to mention the kids' activities around the arena.

This all depends on an individual's tastes and conveniences. Sure, a person could grab a cheap, greasy "meal" at McDonalds or some other fast food place to save time ... however, if we're talking about Westgate, the time saved for many people would be erased by the long commute, as well as having to hunt around for a decent parking place. With that comes the aggravation of having the car bake out in the sun, as well as the added risk of damage & theft. Don't even count on the so called "security" to prevent those things from happening in parking lots.

At a downtown venue, I don't have to hassle with traffic or parking because I can leave my car at home where it's safe & shaded, use mass transit, and there's a much better choice of dining ... not $22 burgers, but better, healthier options in addition to fast food. I also don't care about family friendly places or kids' activities. In fact, I'd rather be at places which attract primarily adult audiences. Again, this all depends on the individual, so your preferences are likely to be quite a bit different.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

This all depends on an individual's tastes and conveniences. Sure, a person could grab a cheap, greasy "meal" at McDonalds or some other fast food place to save time ... however, if we're talking about Westgate, the time saved for many people would be erased by the long commute, as well as having to hunt around for a decent parking place. With that comes the aggravation of having the car bake out in the sun, as well as the added risk of damage & theft. Don't even count on the so called "security" to prevent those things from happening in parking lots.

At a downtown venue, I don't have to hassle with traffic or parking because I can leave my car at home where it's safe & shaded, use mass transit, and there's a much better choice of dining ... not $22 burgers, but better, healthier options in addition to fast food. I also don't care about family friendly places or kids' activities. In fact, I'd rather be at places which attract primarily adult audiences. Again, this all depends on the individual, so your preferences are likely to be quite a bit different.

As a reminder, the Coyotes don't play in the summer months. So no car baking will be going on. Re: risk of damage and theft. The casino drags in a bunch of people who have no business gambling. That new casino is too long of a walk for the gambling patrons who lost their cigarette money and rent in the slots. I wouldn't hesitate to park my car at Westgate for a hockey game.

Re: searching for a parking spot. You will find one. I have never had an issue. I just park farther out and cut to the chase (I like parking on endcaps in order to dodge door dings). Now if you had a disability and couldn't walk, I'd get your point. But how would you know? Since you last visited Westgate 11 years ago, I'm not putting much stock in your opinion about the area. Yea, things have changed.

Well, other than your drive time which is legitimate. Of course, Westgate is closer for the 1,600,000 people who live in the West Valley. The population in the West Valley has exploded and will continue to do so. That's why they did what they did. Hockey attracts a younger demographic. Often, the hockey fans are attended by a successful blue-collar clientele (analogous to NASCAR fans). A lot of the pro hockey rinks are placed around that demographic. Like the Wild's eXcel Energy Center in DT St. Paul. The drive time is ridiculously long for a lot of Wild fans. But hockey is a big deal in MN so they go to the games no matter what the drive happens to be.

It should be obvious that anyone spending millions on locating a new pro team must have done their research. They picked a bad year to build (2006). And the economy was decimated causing all kinds of problems trying to make this location work. Was it a mistake? Of course, at some level. let's see what happens in 15 years from now if they relocate to say, Tempe. The jury is out. I mean, the Winnipeg Jets (now called the PHX Coyotes) couldn't make it work in Canada after salaries skyrocketed in the 90's. And the Minnesota North Stars (the State of USA hockey) left for Dallas. Don't assume for a minute you can point to a franchise is Las Vegas and assume they are will be there for the long haul. Businesses ebb and flow.