If you know this part of Tempe, there are a few ways to make this stadium amazing and it starts with putting the footprint of the stadium in the right place.
If you’ve ever been at the intersection of McClintock and Rio Salado before, you’ll know what I’m about to talk about.
If you haven’t, let me describe it to you.
One corner is a pretty decent mall, complete with a transplanted Chicago institution in Portillos. Another corner is a commercial complex, while a third corner is the golf course where the stadium will be.
The fourth is an enormous eyesore of an APS power station.
Now, I study geography in college and I’m here to tell you, putting the front door of the stadium facing that power plant will not make it a very marketable nor pleasing view when we finally get a ‘NHL on NBC’ game again (whenever that might be).
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
The way to go would be to put the most vibrant side of the stadium right up against Tempe Town Lake on the northern border of the property, and create an outdoor party lounge or lakeside deck attached to to the stadium where the primary entrance would be.
It would build on the outdoor lifestyle reputation Arizona has, as well as expand on the success of the small deck the team currently has on the exterior of Gila River Arena.
Moreover, adding a connected party lounge as the Coyotes ownership suggested would create a more nightlife vibe to the complex that would not feel dissimilar to nearby Mill Avenue’s timbre. In fact, if the space was made big enough, that would be a pretty cool little prom space for high schools, which could create some added revenue.
Nonetheless, positioning the stadium to face it’s most marketable sides given the lot they want to build on, all of the emphasis should face the ASU campus and Tempe Town Lake.
It would create an atmosphere where it feels like a celebration of the game and cool spot for a playoff watch party, developing into what could be one of the best stadiums int the NHL.