You can't just throw a lot of money at a building, put in millions of bells and whistles and expect people to love your new monstrosity (see New Meadowlands, or previous Metrodome). Using principles of Frank Lloyd Wright it needs to be adapted into the surrounding areas not on top of it, and not to mention be embraced by the city that has to see it almost every day.
A positive of starting a hockey franchise over football is certainly facility costs. It won't be cheap, but we won't approach the $1 Billion level that NFL stadiums are costing now. NHL arenas hold typically about 15,000 people, the Bradley center and Kohl center hold 18,700 and 15,300 respectively for hockey. If we go with a smaller district, having it around 14,000 to start with would fit nicely, but have areas where we can expand easily already built in. Another positive is that many areas in Wisconsin already have an ice arena in place. Would it be possible to build around the existing one some way or add extensive improvements to help save money?
One likely obstacle is will major tax dollars have to go in building and maintaining it. Let's not touch that one yet, should a referendum like that have to pass with 80% approval? Any city that this would go into, a vast majority should want to have it.
Features:
The Barn/Ice Rink - I kind of like the ring that the name "The Barn" exudes as a place to go watch hockey. A possible sponsorship to the facility could be Leinenkugel. Different from Miller in that they don't have to pretend they are from Wisconsin anymore.
The Crows Nest - Seats high up in the rafters to watch the game. It could be used for parties or events, with full bar, multiple/gigantic TV's, etc, but you watch the game from a balcony or if it is over the center through glass in the floor. What not possible?
Hall of Pioneers - One of my favorite features of Lambeau Field are the Packer museums and hall of fame that border the stadium. If we run with the team name of Pioneers one of the things we would like to see as part of the complex is a kind of hall fame that not only showcases Pioneers of Hockey and the franchise but Pioneers of Wisconsin in general. People like Bob La Follette, Harry Houdini, William Sylvester Harley (Harley Davidson), Orson Welles, Hank Aaron, Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette, among others. Essentially it would become a great museum of Wisconsin's rich history that could operate within the systems of the local education districts.
Community Therapy pool/Fitness center/Rehabilitation Center- Operating at different schedules than when the team uses it, this area would hold classes for the community promoting physical strength and exercise. We don't see it operating as a come-when-you-like gym but rather as set times for certain activities. Not only does this prevent conflicts with team exercises but when you have a gym you can go anytime, you have excuses not to go, but if you have a set schedule, it helps you focus a little more. It also would have a rehabilitation center for physical therapy. When not in use by the team this could be a very valuable asset for the community. These centers are normally few and are between but with the help of the arena a state of the art facility could be achieved for the region to help people after debilitating injuries. Fingers crossed on this place having rope and rock climbing.
Outdoor Skate Rink - I love hockey that is played outdoors. Not only could this be used by the community for open skates but could also hold practices every once and awhile to keep the team on their toes.
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