A New Domed Bills Stadium in the Falls?

[Mr. WEO]

A domed stadium for the Bills removes Mother Nature as a tactical advantage. Why would you want to do that?

A common misconception. The Bills don't play better in bad, cold weather.

 

 

A dome would be a monumental waste.

 

 

There could never be a SB in Buffalo with its current (ahem) accomadations.

[Lv-Bills]

PTR I agree with you. The renovation of RWS is going to be the only way to go due to money. The only way would be for someone to put up a lot of money if they thought a stadium attached to hotels and shopping etc...would be enough to draw people to the area for a profit.

It is Howard Milstein (who has bought up hundreds of acres) who interestingly tried to buy the Redskins, and his lead guy in the Falls is Roger Trevino Jim Kelly's former agent...likely just coincidence. Furthermore, you are right about sitting in the cold and it does suck! Why do you think no games in December are close to being sold out? People like going when it is warm. Now in Buffalo that could be no wind, sunny and 35 and people are okay with that. But throw in 20mph winds, snow, and 20 degrees and it is miserable and you would get a lot more people willing to go if there was a cover over the stadium.

But in the end too many hurdles but fun to speculate about!!

No games are soldout in December because we have sucked for 11 years. The season ticket base is way down, and there are a lot of games that didn't sell well until now. With the season ticket base at about 35K, the Bills have to sell roughly the same amount of tickets for single games. Not easy, especially when you've sucked for so long. If the Bills keep this up, all games will easily sellout this year. Also, the season ticket base will start to go back up and as tickets get scarce earlier, the Bills will have ZERO trouble selling out the season. You'll see that next year. Guaranteed.

 

Not to mention, for almost every game so far this season, the club seating has been far from sold out. All on perfect weather days and high profile teams. Does this mean fans didn't want to come to RWS in nice weather too?

Edited November 1, 2011 by Lv-Bills

[RyanC883]

I like the idea as well. It would do a good job of capturing the Canadian fans, the Buffalo fans of course, and tourist fans. Plus, Niagra Falls region might provide some money to offset the cost of the stadium. I don't imagine tourism at the Falls is very high in late October-December, and playing games there at that point would bring them additional revenue.

[DCBongo]

If anyone watched the Bills teams of the 90's, you know then fans come out for December games, even last games of the year when Marv sat half the team. If the Bills continue to win and make a playoff push, the Ralph will be rockin' in December.

 

As far as a dome, It could make economic sense for the State of New York. It would be a multi-purpose facility that could help revitalize the Buffalo area, keep the NFL in the area, and be a hallmark of NFL stadiums. Could it be built to maintain the tailgating culture of the Ralph? Could you guarantee the roof open for all football games? Can 100mil turn the Ralph into viable? Forgetting personal traditions and preferences; Is spending a 15Billion on a new dome a better investment than 100mil for the long term future of the Bills?

[K-9]

I like the idea as well. It would do a good job of capturing the Canadian fans, the Buffalo fans of course, and tourist fans. Plus, Niagra Falls region might provide some money to offset the cost of the stadium. I don't imagine tourism at the Falls is very high in late October-December, and playing games there at that point would bring them additional revenue.

 

Ah yes, the ever elusive "tourist fan" demographic.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[Tcali]

"What is the bigger move? What could the people of Western New York do to make a national statement that the Bills are our team, the NFL our birthright, and that we are serious about being a real player at a poker table many think has reached a level too steep for our wallet?

 

Eschewing the stadium renovations in favor of building a state-of-the-art domed stadium would be the first shot across the bow that I'd fire to serve that notice nationally. Putting that stadium in downtown Niagara Falls would be the second."

 

Would you support a plan to build a new dome in place of shelling out $100 million to update the Ralph?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A DOME FOR THE BILLS IN NIAGARA FALLS COULD KEEP TEAM HERE, REVITALIZE CITY

 

 

Niagara Falls NY is a pit.

However the Indian rez to the east would be a good place for an open air stadium.....with Buffalo Bill Cody type wild West shows at the half or before or after games--or even as their own main event.Build a couple of old west towns near there as well...Would be an international/worldwide attraction.Bring back the old west thru this venue.People would flock there from Europe and asia.

Smoke signals on game day ...and perhaps at other important days of the year or at different events there.

Reasonable access for Rochester and Canada.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Tcali

[Mike in Horseheads]

1)That "Buffalo Winter" reputation would take out any chance of a Super Bowl.

2)The premo Hotels on the Canadian side would create a traffic nightmare on game day and for that matter the Grand Island Bridges and Niagara Falls Blvd.

3)Those tourists getting off the bus from foreign countries are not coming to tailgate and watch a football game unless its the World Cup.

4)As many have said, once they start digging and the DEC gets involved it could be another "love Canal".

5)With every new stadium comes the famous PSL's before you buy your season ticket. I can't see $65,000$ people shelling out that kind of cash.

 

Not trying to be negative but realistic.

...Of course there is lots of land down here in Horseheads and they are building a new Hampton Inn!!!! Never mind, oil/gas companies beat the Bills to it. LOL.

[The Senator]

If you have ever been to a football game in a dome, I think you would vote against it. It is a terrible atmosphere. Went to a Monday night game in Kingdome in Seattle in 1989 and SuperBowl in Minneapolis. Hated it.

 

Been to both of those, plus the Superdome in New Orleans, and couldn't agree more - domes suck. I love The Ralph - wish it had been built in Buffalo on the lakefront, but ya can't 'un-ring' a bell. The sightlines are some of the best of any NFL stadium I've visited. My only complaint is the concourses are too narrow, especially at the busy times (end of quarter/half/game), and especially when they also cram beer/food/souvenir/credit-card/cell-fone vendors in there against the wall opposite the regular concession stands. If I had one other wish, it'd be natural grass.

 

Any upgrades to RWS will likely have to be completed during a short time window - probably one off-season. A $120M investment will probably extend the life of the facility another 20 years, at which point a new stadium will likely be necessary. (By that time, hopefully the economy will have rebounded enough to allow a decent facility on the old Bethlehem Steel lakefront site in Lackawanna).

 

GO BILLSSS!!!!

 

.

Edited November 1, 2011 by The Senator

[Ray]

No games are soldout in December because we have sucked for 11 years. The season ticket base is way down, and there are a lot of games that didn't sell well until now. With the season ticket base at about 35K, the Bills have to sell roughly the same amount of tickets for single games. Not easy, especially when you've sucked for so long. If the Bills keep this up, all games will easily sellout this year. Also, the season ticket base will start to go back up and as tickets get scarce earlier, the Bills will have ZERO trouble selling out the season. You'll see that next year. Guaranteed.

 

Not to mention, for almost every game so far this season, the club seating has been far from sold out. All on perfect weather days and high profile teams. Does this mean fans didn't want to come to RWS in nice weather too?

 

The Bills have always had difficulty selling out the December games even when they were great. Why do you think even playoff games did not sell out. Miami play off game, the greatest comeback game in NFL history. December games ALWAYS have difficulty selling out. Why do you think the Bills griped about having three home games in December this year. They have actually been in the playoff race in the past 5 years believe it or not (not last year obviously) but even with Jauron they were 7-6 going into their last 3 games one year and did not sell out. People hate going in that type of weather as it is a miserable experience. You could have three home games in December blacked out even if they are in the playoff race. Especially if the weather is bad! Miami, Tennessee and Denver are going to be very tough sell outs even if we are in contention for the playoffs unless someone buys up a huge block of tickets.

What are you talking about in terms of fans not coming in out in nice weather? The first three games were great and of course had a great turnout. Anyone will tell you it is a lot more fun in September than December if it is snowing and windy and bitter cold. It is just not fun.

[BuffaloWest]

I grew up in the Buffalo area, and my heart is in Buffalo. What I really don't understand is people complain about the Bills moving to the Falls would pull them from Buffalo but isn't Orchard Park out of Buffalo as well. That's no different than saying Amherst. I never understood why the politicians in Buffalo and the Falls do not team up and make it part of the city to draw more business and tourism. Oh wait, I'm sorry it's the Canadian side that looks at that. I about laughed my a** off when I stopped up there and watched the mayor talk about how they have a development team to have a business team try to develop the Falls....... What gives? The politics in the Buffalo area is just crazy stupid and they all need to be fired if half the city of Buffalo and the Falls were to really travel to a city that is on the up and up and see how it's done. Hell just stand at the Falls and look across the river and one can see the difference. Get rid of the politics and then talk about moving the Bills to the Falls or some way, some how, one of the politicians up there will do something stupid and sell the Bills off to another city.

 

Niagara Falls NY is a dump. I was just there to see the Falls. I parked in the Rainbow Mall, or whatever, parking lot. That was after driving past shuttered old hotels and homes and industrial mills belching filth into the sky (Looked Like Oakland). If you have never been to Tijuana or a third world country...Go to Niagara Falls NY and it will give you a good feel for it....It is very unfortunate since it COULD and SHOULD be amazing-Now- with that being said, once you pass/clear all of the grossness-The natural beauty of the actual Falls and surrounding park will make you realize why you made the trip. I wouldnt build a stadium up there until the city of Niagara Falls can make a major U Turn . It is Ghetto and run down and not the right place right now...Orchard Park is an AMAZING place...not just for tailgating either (although it is like a college alumni homecoming party every weekend!)...Orchard Park has a great village, Green Lake, Chesnut Ridge, etc...It is just so much more pleasant than anywhere else. Keep it as is and fix it up!

Edited November 1, 2011 by BuffaloWest

[RJ (not THAT RJ)]

The Bills have always had difficulty selling out the December games even when they were great. Why do you think even playoff games did not sell out. Miami play off game, the greatest comeback game in NFL history. December games ALWAYS have difficulty selling out. Why do you think the Bills griped about having three home games in December this year. They have actually been in the playoff race in the past 5 years believe it or not (not last year obviously) but even with Jauron they were 7-6 going into their last 3 games one year and did not sell out. People hate going in that type of weather as it is a miserable experience. You could have three home games in December blacked out even if they are in the playoff race. Especially if the weather is bad! Miami, Tennessee and Denver are going to be very tough sell outs even if we are in contention for the playoffs unless someone buys up a huge block of tickets.

What are you talking about in terms of fans not coming in out in nice weather? The first three games were great and of course had a great turnout. Anyone will tell you it is a lot more fun in September than December if it is snowing and windy and bitter cold. It is just not fun.

 

 

But but but... Bills fans are the best, most devoted fans in the world!??!

[tompkr1967]

the bills will never build a dome in niagara falls. here is what everyone is missing about toronto : the canadians that go to the bills games are from : ft. erie, niagara falls ont. st. cats & hamilton aka southern ontario ..... not toronto !!!!! canadian fans love the ralph and tailgateing. i went to the toronto game (2nd time) rogers centre is a baseball stadium and football sucks bigtime. the sightlines are real bad and 54,000 not big enough : so, dont worry about toronto it aint gonna happen. just go to the game and enjoy !!! upgrade ralph ... no dome

[VanCity]

Not a fan of domes at all. Soulless, energy draining echo chambers. If a new stadium was built, they should use Qwest/Century Link in Seattle as a template. It has incredible acoustics and every seat is a good one. A large portion is covered from the elements, but the field is fully exposed. I love the Ralph for its history, but CenturyLink is a gorgeous piece of modern football architecture.

 

The Bills have always had difficulty selling out the December games even when they were great. Why do you think even playoff games did not sell out. Miami play off game, the greatest comeback game in NFL history. December games ALWAYS have difficulty selling out. Why do you think the Bills griped about having three home games in December this year. They have actually been in the playoff race in the past 5 years believe it or not (not last year obviously) but even with Jauron they were 7-6 going into their last 3 games one year and did not sell out. People hate going in that type of weather as it is a miserable experience. You could have three home games in December blacked out even if they are in the playoff race. Especially if the weather is bad! Miami, Tennessee and Denver are going to be very tough sell outs even if we are in contention for the playoffs unless someone buys up a huge block of tickets.

What are you talking about in terms of fans not coming in out in nice weather? The first three games were great and of course had a great turnout. Anyone will tell you it is a lot more fun in September than December if it is snowing and windy and bitter cold. It is just not fun.

 

Although the December games are cold and miserable, they can still be great when the team plays well. I was there for a bunch of early 90's games and all I remember is that it was a great time. I know that it was frigid for most of them, but the adrenaline got pumping, the down filled 3/4 length with the fur hood went on and life was good. Folks in Buffalo are known for being tough, and while you are right that december games have been a historically difficult sell, a dome is still soul sucking.

Edited November 2, 2011 by VanCity

[truth on hold]

Doesn't matter what they put in DT buffalo. It will never be host to anything of national or international importance, including a super bowl.

The objections to a dome in NF are all pretty lame and just smack of some lazy ass not wanting to drive the extra 15 minutes, too cheap (or worse broke) to drink anything but a 6 of genny cream pee water. Ie the exact type of fan the NFL doesn't see in its future.

Truth is NFL has gotten more family and corporate oriented, and with an international agenda, none of which work in an outdoor space on the outskirts of an acknowledged dying cold Weather city. Sure NF has similar problems but unlike buffalo it has an internationally renowned tourist attraction that will never be taken away. Along with the canadian side it is well suited to accomodate large number of visitors with accommodations and attractions, attracting families and businesses alike, and access to a constant stream of international visitors.

I wouldn't waste another dime on the Ralph.

Let's get with the future and build a dome near the Falls, putting the bills on top of the nfl economic food chain rather than groveling along the bottom in constant fear of getting eaten by bigger fish

Edited November 2, 2011 by Joe_the_6_pack

[Sanners]

Just to clarify, I don't prefer a dome myself, but I think in this weather climate one is needed to justify the cost. Albany would never pony up $1 billion + for a stadium with single digit usage days per year. A dome would allow for many more events and a retractable roof might be the way to go for football.

 

The idea is to find real, tangible ways to keep the team in WNY. The $100 million renovation figure is the MINIMUM that the NFL would require to even consider keeping the team here.

 

Niagara Falls gets shafted by NY State annually. All of the millions collected at the Niagara Falls State Park go to Albany and never return. Casino dolllars - same thing. Hydro power dollars - they leave too and people here pay some of the higest rates in the nation for electricity.

 

Leveraging that is a way to hold Albany's feet to the fire. Isn't about time that the capital did soemthing for WNY beyond lip service?

 

Quit electing phonies and con artists... The Buffalo Bills belong in the area we define ourselves with. Not Toronto, not Niagara Falls. The Buffalo Region!

 

Doesn't matter what they put in DT buffalo. It will never be host to anything of national or international importance, including a super bowl.

The objections to a dome in NF are all pretty lame and just smack of some lazy ass not wanting to drive the extra 15 minutes, too cheap to drink anything but a 6 of genny cream pee water. Ie the exact type of fan the NFL doesn't see in its future.

Truth is NFL has gotten more family and corporate oriented, and with an international agenda, none of which work in an outdoor space on the outskirts of an acknowledged dying cold Weather city. Sure NF has similar problems but unlike buffalo it has an internationally renowned tourist attraction that will never be taken away. Along with the canadian side it is well suited to accomodate large number of visitors with accommodations and attractions, attracting families and businesses alike, and access to a constant stream of international visitors.

I wouldn't waste another dime on the Ralph.

Let's get with the future and build a dome near the Falls, putting the bills on top of the nfl economic food chain rather than groveling along the bottom in constant fear of getting eaten by bigger fish

 

Really??? Infrastructure, plus Niagara county is a real small(1/4 the population of Erie county), economically weak area with major corruption. Good luck.

 

Bills are fine at the Ralph! Tradition is huge now. These kids need it. Stand up for our community!

[jeanbe]

Sure build a new 1 Billion Dollar Stadium. Have the Bills sign a 20 year lease.

 

Build it in Buffalo, tear down some old crappy section of town, with ****ty houses and old buildings and make it into a entertainment and shopping complex, with restaurants accessible on all days not just game days.

 

Have a Buffalo Bills Hall of fame, Make it a first class arena. with a retractable Dome. Having a retractable dome allows it to be used in the winter for other things instead of just sitting empty like the Ralph. High School playoffs could be help instead of Syracuse, let those down state teams come here, instead uf us going there.

 

Connect the dome to a large convention hotel and parking easy access to the I-190,90, as well as having the Bus and train stops there.

 

Schedule concerts, conventions, etc in there and fill up the hotel, create a buzz about this team and help to rebuild Buffalo and its image.

 

That's called Glendale Arizona....Home of the Coyotes and Cardinals.

[weehawk]

Why do people even respond to this idiocy?

 

* The area is not getting a dome.

* The area is not getting ANY new sports facilities probably in our lifetimes

* The area is going to shat itself when the Bills tell the county and State that they want $200 mil for RWS improvements or else they wont sign a lease

* How will the State continue to pay the pensions of State workers if it buys a new stadium?

 

Listen, giving this guy three+ pages of responses is ludicrous. First, domes suck big time. Second, the Falls is a sh*thole on the US side. No casino, stadium, convention center, etc is ever going to change that. The State will NEVER invest that kind of money upstate. It has never happened before and it wont happen in the future.

 

Please stop responding to this post and move on to more legitimate discussions.

[PromoTheRobot]

Why do people even respond to this idiocy?

 

* The area is not getting a dome.

* The area is not getting ANY new sports facilities probably in our lifetimes

* The area is going to shat itself when the Bills tell the county and State that they want $200 mil for RWS improvements or else they wont sign a lease

* How will the State continue to pay the pensions of State workers if it buys a new stadium?

 

Listen, giving this guy three+ pages of responses is ludicrous. First, domes suck big time. Second, the Falls is a sh*thole on the US side. No casino, stadium, convention center, etc is ever going to change that. The State will NEVER invest that kind of money upstate. It has never happened before and it wont happen in the future.

 

Please stop responding to this post and move on to more legitimate discussions.

I don't know how old you are but they will have to build a new stadium within 20 years or so. Unless they plan to make RWS the Fenway Park of the NFL.

 

PTR

Edited November 2, 2011 by PromoTheRobot

[Lv-Bills]

The Bills have always had difficulty selling out the December games even when they were great. Why do you think even playoff games did not sell out. Miami play off game, the greatest comeback game in NFL history. December games ALWAYS have difficulty selling out. Why do you think the Bills griped about having three home games in December this year. They have actually been in the playoff race in the past 5 years believe it or not (not last year obviously) but even with Jauron they were 7-6 going into their last 3 games one year and did not sell out. People hate going in that type of weather as it is a miserable experience. You could have three home games in December blacked out even if they are in the playoff race. Especially if the weather is bad! Miami, Tennessee and Denver are going to be very tough sell outs even if we are in contention for the playoffs unless someone buys up a huge block of tickets.

What are you talking about in terms of fans not coming in out in nice weather? The first three games were great and of course had a great turnout. Anyone will tell you it is a lot more fun in September than December if it is snowing and windy and bitter cold. It is just not fun.

To shatter your theory, the first three games had gobs of red club seats empty. The raiders game had small blocks of empty seats in the upper deck corners. Both games were deemed sellouts, and they weren't. The weather couldn't have been better.

 

The games in December will have no problem selling out if the Bills are playing well. And again, the season ticket base will go up next year, making more games sellout quickly because people will fear not being able to get to any games. When you've sucked for 12 years, games will not sell out. And if you can't admit that the red seats were only about 70% full for the first three games this year, well, you simply aren't telling the truth.

 

So, in perfect weather, the Bills aren't yet, selling all of their tickets. This week, I bet the stadium is totally full. This will continue if the Bills continue to win. For the first time in a decade, I'm getting offers for more than double the face value of my tickets. I haven't sold any yet, it's been too fun to attend so far this year.

[Bufcomments]

I like the Ralph the way it is now. They have to upgrade it. Why not build Quest Field here.

 

Seattle did a great job with there new stadium, the crowd noise is off the charts and its an outdoor venue.

 

Maybe not copy it must maybe something along the same lines. Adding a Bills hall of Fame would be nice and add an outdoor Mall, skating rink Both roller and ice, and make it a year round thing.