Buffalo Memorial Auditorium aka "The Aud"

[Billsman]

Great news!

[Billsman]

The Buffalo store will be Bass Pro’s 3rd largest Bass Pro’s first urban experience –

They expect to bring millions of new customers to their store on this historic site.

Bufffalo, NY-November 29, 2004-Bass Pro Shops, America's most popular outdoor store, today announced they have agreed to be part of a huge development in Buffalo's historical Memorial Auditorium known affectionately as "The Aud". The New York State Urban Development Corporation, County of Erie, City of Buffalo and Bass Pro Shops have all joined together to make this project happen.

The Bass Pro Shops store will be approximately 250,000 square feet and will anchor the project that also includes a museum/interpretive center, hotel and a themed full-service restaurant. Future waterfront re-development will include an intermodal transportation center, specialty shops and more.


New York Governor George E. Pataki was present at the ceremony. "Bass Pro Shops decision to open a new superstore in Downtown Buffalo-their second store in New York-and the major redevelopment of 'The Aud' will transform Downtown Buffalo into a major 'must see' tourist destination, creating hundreds of new jobs and attracting millions of visitors from throughout Western New York, the entire Northeast and Canada," Governor Pataki said.


Bass Pro Shops unique, award-winning, mega size outdoor stores are known for combining retail with entertainment, conservation and outdoor education. Their destination retail stores across America attract over 75 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops in Auburn opened earlier this year.


"We are extremely proud to be announcing our second store in the state of New York," said Bass Pro Shops President Jim Hagale. "We are excited about the vision of a redeveloped historic Erie Canal District in Buffalo and are proud to be a partner in the project."


More than just a fishing and hunting store, Bass Pro Shops will also offer equipment and clothing for hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, camping, outdoor cooking and more. A gift and nature center will also serve up a wide variety of outdoor-related items from lamps and dishes to bird feeders and furniture.


The expansive boat showroom will feature Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, Sea Craft, and Mako boats built by Tracker Marine Group-the world's largest manufacturer of fishing boats. The store site on the shores of Lake Erie provides the opportunity to have on-the-water boat demonstrations, guided fishing trips, and water-based outdoor skills workshops.


Bass Pro Shops unique exterior and interior motifs have branded them as visually appealing, high quality outdoor stores. The outdoor feel is brought indoors through massive log and rock work, large indoor aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species, as well as an extensive collection of museum quality fish and wildlife mounts. Historic photos and exhibits will pay tribute to Western New York's great outdoor heritage.


Known for their great customer service, Bass Pro Shops is expected to hire approximately 400 passionate outdoor enthusiasts from the area. Employment information is available in the career opportunity's section of www.basspro.com (http://www.basspro.com)

[THATHURMANATOR]

This is old news and it seems to be that it is falling apart. They should have already broke ground.

[wagoncircler]

I think it's sad news. I was hoping for something that would include keeping the original rink for youth/recreational hockey.

It would be an incredible thrill to be able to play on that ice.

[Billsman]

I guess Im late. :( The city is still gung ho about it though.

[sukie]

I want one of those smoke drenched sound deadening cylinders that hang from the ceiling... They always looked like giant cigarette butts to me.

[Billsman]

Sukie, Im with you.

[sukie]

Maybe some will appear on ebay.

[Billsman]

What exactly would you search for? lol

[THATHURMANATOR]

I think it's sad news. I was hoping for something that would include keeping the original rink for youth/recreational hockey.

It would be an incredible thrill to be able to play on that ice.
How could bringing a business and more jobs be sad news?

[Billsman]

How could bringing a business and more jobs be sad news?

It's not. :) I understand how wagon wold like to skate on the ice again but it really needs to be turned into something much much more.

[ckg68]

I want one of those smoke drenched sound deadening cylinders that hang from the ceiling... They always looked like giant cigarette butts to me.

Either that,or some giant sized heavy bags(the type boxers use). One or the other.

[Circusboy39]

Wern't they supposed to be holding an auction of all the removable stuff from the Aud whenever Bass Pro was set to move in? I wan't a pair of seats myself, if they're not rotted out by now.

[mshafer71]

I think it's sad news. I was hoping for something that would include keeping the original rink for youth/recreational hockey.

It would be an incredible thrill to be able to play on that ice.

I agree...I think the Aud could be transformed into a giant recreation park with bungie jumping, skating, rock climbing.....I mean a place where you could bring the whole family for the day...some place safe and fun and affordable...you could put a glass roof on it.....sounds better than Bass Pro....which I doubt is coming here

[THATHURMANATOR]

Sounds like something that would cost a lot of money that wouldn't help bring money to the area....

[BabaGanoush]

I agree...I think the Aud could be transformed into a giant recreation park with bungie jumping, skating, rock climbing.....I mean a place where you could bring the whole family for the day...some place safe and fun and affordable...you could put a glass roof on it.....sounds better than Bass Pro....which I doubt is coming here

You would be amazed at what they can fit into a Bass Pro Store, the Bass Pro in Auburn Hills, MI and the Cabelas (Bass Pro's main competitor) store in Dundee MI are more than simply a store. There are huge aquariums, rock climbing walls, those arcade shooting ranges that cost a quarter, restaurants and tons of things to look at. They are definitly a family adventure and it doesn't cost a penny to get into.

[barneybud]

I wonder if the seats still have the old sabre stickers on the back of each chair.

[Billsman]

The City owns the building, has anyone ever called about the seats and noise cones?

[The REAL Sabres]

Sounds like something that would cost a lot of money that wouldn't help bring money to the area....DiCesare's column said exactly that last week.

[mshafer71]

You would be amazed at what they can fit into a Bass Pro Store, the Bass Pro in Auburn Hills, MI and the Cabelas (Bass Pro's main competitor) store in Dundee MI are more than simply a store. There are huge aquariums, rock climbing walls, those arcade shooting ranges that cost a quarter, restaurants and tons of things to look at. They are definitly a family adventure and it doesn't cost a penny to get into.

Thanks for the enlightening info......much appreciated

[itslonganditsgood]

I will believe it when there is a Bass Pro Shop sign on the front of that building.

Make it into a youth/recreational ice rink? Who is going to pay the bill for that?

[THATHURMANATOR]

DiCesare's column said exactly that last week.
I was talking about a recreation center. What was Dicesare saying?

[The REAL Sabres]

I was talking about a recreation center. What was Dicesare saying?Oops, I didn't see that post. I thought you were responding to circusboy's auction query. DiCesare had an article with a bunch of Giambra quotes about how the auction wouldn't work, would cost more than it would bring in, etc.