Ontario Moving to District Model in 2017

[cad321]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

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.

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.

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by cad321

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.

Don't worry, you're not the only one who thinks it's ludicrous.

Ontario districts are gonna be awesome, especially district champs. If it's week 7, I'll have to try and find a way up there to volunteer.

[GreyingJay]

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?)

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

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?)

That depends entirely on the district. There's very little standardization from FIRST with regards to managing the DCMPs. FiM champs does have team-run seminars. New England champs has a very high production value. MAR champs is a budget-driven event that is aesthetically and functionally just a larger district qualifier event.

[KrazyCarl92]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

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

This is a subtle, but very important set of questions to have an answer to.

RD's do not necessarily have the same objectives as teams when it comes to event planning, so I am interested to hear how this conflict of interests is handled in regions that are able to make the switch to districts.

[bkahl]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

New England champs has a very high production value.

I think we just got really lucky here-

The AV company that does all the NE events is owned and operated by FRC alumni. As I like to say- "they get it."

[Mike Schreiber]

Originally Posted by first3234

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

Citation needed.

[Christopher149]

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.

[nbetik]

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.

[Roboshant]

Originally Posted by first3234

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

Need a citation. I would argue that Waterford and Troy would be better contenders for the premier district. Anyways 1114 already prototypes in Troy

Originally Posted by Briansmithtown

Also it seems they have plans of going to troy.

^This might actually become reality.

[Basel A]

Originally Posted by nbetik

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.

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.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Karthik

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.

If you are a team in a district system, get at least one mentor to be a robot inspector! You'll only be really needed on Day Zero to get through initial inspections, and everyone will thank you.

[WelderManiac]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

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.

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.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Basel A

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.

That really depends on how many open spots are left. For most districts, they pick the lowest number of events required to support two plays for their district teams. That leaves few spots for third plays. Given the scheduling for registering for 3rd plays, very few spots are available for inter-district play.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by WelderManiac

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.

Not really knowing how rural Timmins is: they have events about 4 and 8 hours away (according to Google Maps). When Michigan went districts, our closest events were about 8 and 10 hours away (now down to ~3 and ~5.5). So it's not the worst drive, but it does raise their travel costs.