Museum Officials Excited By Stadium Proposal
A Western New York museum known for play is slated to be a major part of the proposed downtown Buffalo stadium and complex.
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"It would highlight the relationship between sports, art, science and culture,” said Rollie Adams.
Adams came to Buffalo to make a pitch.
“It would be a multi-sensory experience for people of all ages."
To lay out plans for a key component of what could be a major stadium and entertainment complex at the city's Outer Harbor waterfront.
Adams is president and CEO of The Strong in Rochester. It's a place for children, families, and games. Before it became known as simply "The Strong," it was referred to as the Strong National Museum of Play. The Buffalo museum would be one of two main anchors in the Buffalo project.
"It's easy to see it's a dynamic idea, that would be important to the entire region. It certainly extends our mission so we're vitally interested in the opportunity to do this."
Adams delivered a presentation to the Buffalo Common Council, providing details of what would be called The North American Museum of Sports and Culture.
"I think big ideas are great things."
Many council members seemed receptive.
"The Strong museum is known internationally. It's known throughout the world, and certainly throughout the country."
Adams also had an answer for skeptics, who question whether the whole thing can be pulled off.
"There would be people who said the Strong wasn't realistic in Rochester."
Adams says The Strong was first approached about the idea of a museum here in Buffalo back in the spring. Though there are risks involved, he says it certainly fits into the idea of what the Strong is all about.
Each year, 600,000 people visit The Strong; more than the number of fans who attend Bills home games. About a third come from outside the Rochester region.
To pull off a new stadium and museum will take many things, including lots of money. And there's no formal deal yet between the museum and developers.
Adams says if those details are worked out it would result in a place like no other.
"Yes, I think it's realistic."