The Garage, Home of the Canucks
Written: Sep 09 '05
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Pros: Good atmosphere, Canucks, state-of-the-art
Cons: pricey food, bad parking, some idiots
The Bottom Line: GO CANUCKS GO! But GM Place really is a great place to watch NHL hockey.
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| emangun's Full Review: General Motors Place |
Now I have been to over 10 hockey games at this facility so most of what I say here will apply to that. I have also been to a Christian event in GM Place, which was very weird for me because the atmosphere is then completely different and will take too long to describe here.
I assume that most people who are going to GM Place will be there for hockey games, which is its most common event, last year's lockout notwithstanding. So here we go:
Getting there
1,Parking in and around the stadium is a nightmare by Canadian standards. In other words, don't drive to the game. The easiest way to arrive at GM Place is to park at a skytrain station and then take the skytrain to Stadium station. GM Place is clearly visible.
Exterior and Scalping
2, the exterior, for a sports stadium, is actually quite nice. Obviously there are a lot of Vancouver Canucks-themed windows and flags in the area. Before a game there are bound to be a lot of fans milling about. There will be scalpers, as scalping is legal in Canada. (or semi-legal) There is one particular black scalper who stands at the entrance of Stadium Skytrain station and he seems to have the best selection. Personally I try not to deal with scalpers, but they are available.
Interior, food and Security
3, the decor of the concourses are really understated but quite classy, with big photos of the beloved Vancouver Canucks in action throughout the concourse, which is also smothered with Canucks logos on the floor, walls and even some concession stands. The food is pretty decent, but expensive. REALLY expensive for what you get. The sandwiches are said to be good, but personally I eat before the game. There is a half-empty mall (Tinseltown) near the Arena that I usually get dinner in. I don't drink so I'm not sure of the alcohol rules in GM Place. However, I have seen security drag out some people who started throwing punches and beer cups.
Seating and Radio
4, the seats are actually very comfortable by arena standards, but prepare for a tight fit anyways. The arena is steep but not that high up, so the climb isn't so bad. Personally, I think the best fans are in the upper sections anyways, as these true "bleacher bums" will leave you in stitches with their taunts and insults of anyone not playing well. If you are very sensitive to foul or profane language, be aware that many fans are "passionate" and will make their feelings heard. The views are excellent all over the Arena, and nobody complains about not being able to see anything. You can listen to the radio broadcast of the actionif you bring a small radio and set it to CKNW 980 AM. I don't but you can hear the faint sound of the announcer's voice while you watch the game.
Game experience
5, the Canucks tend to play an uptempo and aggressive style, so be prepared for both pretty plays at one end and sloppy defensive errors at the other. When the Canucks score, the building erupts with flyng flags, spilled nachos, 18,000 souls screaming their lungs out and festive celebration music. The PA Announcer will then announce the player who scored, and his picture and vital stats will appear on the scoreboard, with fabulous adulation. If the other team scores, the building will slump into a pit of despair, anger, and swearing. At the first sign of a fight, fans will cheer on thier hero as he battles "the other guy". The passion and desire of the Canucks fanbase is quite incredible to see. Vancouver fans may seem quite harsh on the home team, but they continue to see the game they love and grew up with. Many older fans will support the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens rather than their hometown Canucks. Many younger fans resent this and detest those two teams with a passion. Anyone wearing another team's jersey must be prepared for some snide remarks, but that's usually the extent of the heckling. Sometimes there are real nutcases at games, but they are rare and they are more entertaining than actually dangerous. Team jerseys you don't want to wear into GM Place are: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche (local division rivals), Toronto, Montreal (western resentment of Ontario and Quebec) and perhaps the New York Rangers. (For the Stanley Cup loss in 1994) Other teams are usually ok, as there is too little tradition to tie, say, Vancouver and the Florida Panthers into a heated rivalry.
Audio, music, miscellaneous
6, the audio in GM Place is amazing, its really state-of-the-art, and the music they play at games is pretty standard arena rock and keyboard tunes. To pump up the crowd, the GM Place 8-sided scoreboard shows things such as spinning Canuck logos, huge hands clapping to the music, and imperatives such as LOUDER! and GO CANUCKS GO!
It also broadcasts interviews with the players with a backdrop of "dramatic music." For example, an interview with a player may then have the Mission Impossible tune in the background. You then see clips of said player crushing the opposition, with sniper rectacles being photoshopped onto the opposing players. There is a team mascot, FIN, a big Orca who blows smoke out of his back and hugs little kids.
Conclusion
GM Place was part of Vancovuer's pride and joy in 1995 when it opened along with the new library and new airport terminal. It continues to be its most modern venue for concerts and sports events. (Sorry for not saying more about concert set-ups, I haven't been to any)For people new to Vancouver or Canada who want to see part of Canada's soul, get a ticket, sit with the bleacher bums, and scream like crazy for three 20-minute periods of distilled hockey madness. And I will have it no other way.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: What A Nightmare
Seat Location: Upper Level
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Epinions.com ID:
emangun
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Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
A Canadian of Chinese descent who loves hockey, military history, drumming and computer games.
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