Date and Location Announcement

[russ]

what about people from out of town are any of these other places as convenient for hotel rooms because that was the best part about the mayfield. Having to drive or walk from a hotel to the venue would change things completely for me.

Well the optional venue would have a hotel near by but obviously not as close as the Mayfield. However they WILL allow sleeping at the event and I believe I can bring Tent City back. So I am hoping that would offset not having a hotel attached to the venue.... yes?

If this "other venue" pans out, does it have the proper power infrastructure to handle 700+ computers and several pieces of networking equipment? Power is my biggest concern.

If we do go with the other venue, I think there should be no issues at all... since I have looked at the floor plans and such, should be better than Mayfield... we will see what the cards have for us.

As an out-of-towner I'll add my $0.02 to say that the Mayfield is about as good a venue as I could ask for.

Whats good about it:
I can sleep and bathe in a hotel room attached to the frag. No tents for me please.
I can ferry my equipment to and from my hotel room via an easy, indoor route.
My vehicle can stay parked for the duration in a secure, high traffic area.
Restaurants on site, other services within an easy walk. Liquor store across the street!

Whats bad:
Well the service in the aforementioned restaurants was not good. Not the very worst I have experienced, but not good. Blame the labour crunch..


An alternate venue? Well, one attached to a hotel is the deal maker for me.

LRT? I don't know about Edmonton in particular, but I do know that in the lower mainland of BC, being "near mass transit" means "crawling with junkies" interested in your car stereo, CDs, computer... basically anything portable with any resale value. Out in the stix = low crime.



R

[Decius]

What part of the Lower Mainland you in? I lived in Mission, and trust me Edmonton's transit is used by people FAR MORE NORMAL than anything (emphasis on thing) you'll find on Translink between Mission and Port Moody. Even in the shitty neighbourhoods it's better.

So are we boycotting Mayfield yet, since they have effectively screwed us? I know I'll never recommend them to anyone I know.

[muchu]

what about people from out of town are any of these other places as convenient for hotel rooms because that was the best part about the mayfield. Having to drive or walk from a hotel to the venue would change things completely for me.

Well the optional venue would have a hotel near by but obviously not as close as the Mayfield. However they WILL allow sleeping at the event and I believe I can bring Tent City back. So I am hoping that would offset not having a hotel attached to the venue.... yes?

If this "other venue" pans out, does it have the proper power infrastructure to handle 700+ computers and several pieces of networking equipment? Power is my biggest concern.

If we do go with the other venue, I think there should be no issues at all... since I have looked at the floor plans and such, should be better than Mayfield... we will see what the cards have for us.

As an out-of-towner I'll add my $0.02 to say that the Mayfield is about as good a venue as I could ask for.

Whats good about it:
I can sleep and bathe in a hotel room attached to the frag. No tents for me please.
I can ferry my equipment to and from my hotel room via an easy, indoor route.
My vehicle can stay parked for the duration in a secure, high traffic area.
Restaurants on site, other services within an easy walk. Liquor store across the street!

Whats bad:
Well the service in the aforementioned restaurants was not good. Not the very worst I have experienced, but not good. Blame the labour crunch..


An alternate venue? Well, one attached to a hotel is the deal maker for me.

LRT? I don't know about Edmonton in particular, but I do know that in the lower mainland of BC, being "near mass transit" means "crawling with junkies" interested in your car stereo, CDs, computer... basically anything portable with any resale value. Out in the stix = low crime.



R

I agree.. it doesn't get more convenient than having the hotel attatched to the building.. it's nice to be able to just go back and forth as I please and shower, etc.
Also, the location is great. Walking distance to Wendy's

[StraT]

Well I think its time to introduce some Mayfield Facts.

The Mayfield had been a step up from our old location in the Kingsway Hangar, and for the first few years we loved it. We formed a mutual beneficial relationship with them. But as the years progressed their management staff changed and their level of service had been on a downward spiral.

Well this year has reached a level of such disrespect and ungratefulness that we simply can't do it.

Every year we treat them with nothing but respect. We help them with booking their rooms, advertising their restaurants, and paying every overcharge and "surprise charges" they dream up. As well as dealing with their fee increases every year.

In return for our patronage they respond with...

Not putting any work, as in renovations or upkeep to the venue. Air conditioning, power and tables have become substandard. Their management staff have become rude and disrespectful towards FP staff and our patrons. Every year sees more restrictions and increased costs.

The Mayfield has seen fit to do the following for FP 2008.

- Not respond to my phone calls for 3 months.
- presented us with a contract 3 months late
- INCREASED OUR FEES 100%
- imposed an absolute NO SLEEPING in the venue rule.
- Charging us a food levy so people can bring food in the venue
- Will not accept any sponsor shipping till day of event, and then must be cleared in writing before hand or it will be refused.
- Any sponsor food such as pizza party must be pre-approved in writing before hand, as well as staff meals.
- Extra Power Levy

Unless the Mayfield is willing to work with us on the costs and some of the restrictions we simply can not do it. It takes away from the spirit of the event and we work hard to make every event better than the last.

We deeply regret if this messes up the plans some of you have made for the original dates, or for those who were hoping to have a hotel attached. But unless we get a huge grant or proper funding, we simply cant afford it.

On a personal note I am sick of the way they have treated us. We deserve better... and more importantly... so do you guys.

I hope we have your support.

Cheerz!

Gil - fp|StraT
President
Fragapalooza

[muchu]

Mmm, definitely did not know that, haha.
I suppose walking across the street to a hotel or whatever wouldn't be that bad. I mean, yea, it's not as convenient, but if Mayfield is pulling the afore-mentioned stuff, then yea.. no.. ha.
Plus.. I definitely spent more time actually at the LAN than in the hotel in '04 and '05.

[zeroumus]

of course ya got our support


Sounds like they really dont want us. Sounds like they are trying to tripple the price.

I will lan anywhere. There has to be some place large that is willing to let us lan the way we want

[Spyhop]

Agreed.

That looks like a big, "GTFO Fraga, we don't want you anymore" to me.

Oh well. Everyone to Gil's house! I call the recliner.

[LiViD]

Seeing that the date has been postponed till August, this may co-incide with a new store opening in the north end. If the store opens, there won't be any vacation time for the staff during that month. This may also prevent the store from being at Frag this year.

That's all I know from that perspective.

[Scald]

Butterdome would be pretty handy... not too far from LRT so I could sleep at home and shower at home. (gasp)

Psht, who SHOWERS

non-virgins?

Apparently i forgot my [s] [/s] tags

[skyedemon]

bah who needs a hotel room? as long as there's a table to put my computer on, and a spot on the floor to sleep on, i'm good.

[zeroumus]

BAck to the hanger!


I would love to see it happen

[Overlord]

I agree with Strat...

In fact last year they did not even have staff on hand to add the extra air conditioning. Psychocanuk and my self had to set it up for them. The actual workers at the event (the facilities grunts) are good people, their hands are tied and are forced to do things that are not very fair.

I did notice on the floor plan that there are showers on site, and I think Mayfield charged patrons to use the showers in the pool, I cannot say for sure if they will allow us to use them at the new site... I guess we will see when we go look, and debate $$$..lol

[Babaganoosh]

Also check on parking..Is it free or are we going to have to pay?

[SCETR [GL]]

Maybe we could use some old Arena somewhere. Back in the late Eighties I went to a concert here in Edmonton at the Fieldhouse, is that place still around.

Ninja Edit:

I looked it up and it is the Kinsmen Field House, here is the Wikipedia link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsmen_Field_House

I saw the Iron Maiden Concert there in 1985 with Girlschool.

Yeah, I guess it is only used for sports stuff now, and yeah, I am pretty old.

[PsychoCanuk]

Also check on parking..Is it free or are we going to have to pay?

It is still in negotiations. We will post something in detail later regarding all of the changes should we go ahead with a venue change.