Originally Posted by Sperkowsky (Post 1592790)

If you want to see a big school go look at team 5417's school. Its a short drive down to Allen Texas but that Football stadium is probably bigger then most of our team's schools.

http://www.pogueconstruction.com/wp-...-Stadium-1.jpg

Oh yea Ontario Districts whoops.

Originally Posted by cad321 (Post 1592791)

I'm sorry... that's a school?! Here in ontario I'd consider that a major stadium where the "pros" play. Never in a million years could I see a public school getting that kind of facility/funding up here.

Originally Posted by GreyingJay (Post 1592793)

What are District Championships like?

Are they anything like Worlds? Do they have any kind of seminars, workshops, or anything above and beyond what a normal regional event would have?

(And if not, could they?)

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto (Post 1592686)

Does FIRST Canada have any existing RD's going into this transition?

If so, what role will those individuals have in the new District format?

-Mike

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery (Post 1592796)

New England champs has a very high production value.

Originally Posted by first3234 (Post 1592789)

If so come to the west Michigan district what FIM considers there premiere district of all of FIM

Originally Posted by first3234 (Post 1592789)

If so come to the west Michigan district what FIM considers there premiere district of all of FIM

Originally Posted by Briansmithtown (Post 1499900)

Also it seems they have plans of going to troy.

Originally Posted by nbetik (Post 1592814)

As much as I think the move to the district model is great, with lower prices and all that, I'm going to miss competing with teams from far away at the Waterloo Regional (only a 5 minute drive from my team's high school!). Being on an alliance with 148 this year was absolutely incredible. Plus, even though I wasn't on the team in 2014, just seeing 254 at that year's WR was wicked cool.

Originally Posted by Karthik (Post 1592784)

I had a chance to dig a bit through the numbers last night and I'm thrilled at the deal Ontario teams will be getting on registration through the new district system. Look at this comparison of costs taken from the Ontario District Announcement FAQ. As stated in the document these costs for 2017 are just projections at the moment, with exact details and invoices coming out in November. All prices are below are in Canadian Dollars based off today's USD-CAD exchange rate of 1.28.



For a team who currently goes to two events, there's an instant savings of over $4000.00 CAD. That savings increases further if you compare the cost of attending 3 Regionals vs 2 Districts and the discounted District Championship. Teams will be having a lot of money put right back into their pockets to start the season.

For years teams have been pushing for this transition to districts in order to take advantage of these savings. Now that FIRST Canada has made the jump it's up to the teams to give back and help make this happen. This transition to districts will need a huge new influx of volunteers. Going from 5 to 9 or 10 events next season will be a big change. This can't happen unless Ontario teams step up and provide/recruit more volunteers to make this new format success. So if you're on an Ontario team, please consider signing up on VIMS to be volunteer for next season. Heck, sign up for one of the three off-season events happening this fall to get trained and to meet the people you'll be working with. Let's give back to our community so we can lead FRC in Ontario into the future.

Originally Posted by Christopher149 (Post 1592813)

How does the team in Thunder Bay, ON, (4732) feel about the transition? It's a 12-hour drive or couple hour flight to the nearest event (North Bay). Two events will be a step up from their usual of attending only one Toronto-area regional.

Originally Posted by Basel A (Post 1592820)

We're at the tipping point where you don't lose all that much potential for diversity by going to districts. For example, Texas is considering going district, so 148 or 118 could still come to Canada, and it would actually be cheaper for them than it was before.

Originally Posted by WelderManiac (Post 1592822)

We're quite concerned right now. It's a fifteen hour drive to send the robot down unless we were to ship it in a crate. Having to go to two events would be a logistical and budgetary nightmare for us. We're trying to go to the Northern Lights Regional next year instead of down to GTRE, like we did this year.

I'm also worried for team 4704 (Timmins), which I assume would have an even harder time raising the funds to do districts.