New Downtown Calgary Arena

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by McMurph

I'd hate to see either the Corral or Saddledome demolished. Both have history and architectural value, and the 'dome looks great on the skyline from so many angles (including up the hill on 17th SW and from inside my house). The inside of the Saddledome, however, has been pretty badly buggered up with the renovations over the years to make it more profitable. The lower bowl boxes in particular (which they obviously needed to add) wrecked the lines and the nice open concourse that wrapped the whole rink.

The opportunity cost of keeping the coral in the long-term is too high. There is extremely limited architectural merit there IMHO, and the history is limited. Lots of things are "nice to do" items, but to make a decision, one really has to consider opportunity cost. There are many way better things that can be done with that footprint.

Regarding the Saddledome, I'm more conflicted about it.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by suburbia

The opportunity cost of keeping the coral in the long-term is too high. There is extremely limited architectural merit there IMHO, and the history is limited. Lots of things are "nice to do" items, but to make a decision, one really has to consider opportunity cost. There are many way better things that can be done with that footprint.

Regarding the Saddledome, I'm more conflicted about it.

If its just the footprint to be worried about, they have lots of surface parking lots. Tear out the seats and turn it into indoor parking! Footprint regained.

[Riise]

How well would the Dome work as a market? Even if it was just a placeholder use.

[Calgarian]

Originally Posted by Riise

How well would the Dome work as a market? Even if it was just a placeholder use.

Not sure if the stands play any sort of a structural role, if they don't then you could probably remove them and turn the building into a giant exhibition hall or something. I'm sure given an appropriate budget and a talented designer there would be a ton of uses for the Dome.

[MalcolmTucker]

Finally, an indoor water park to bring us up to par with Edmonton and honour our western heritage somehow!

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Finally, an indoor water park to bring us up to par with Edmonton and honour our western heritage somehow!

I like this idea.

[Fuzz]

Naw, turn it into a big indoor ski/snowboard park for the summer. Half pipe? No way dude! Full bowl!

[Wentworth]

If Dubai can have an indoor ski hill, we can have an indoor beach.

Something like this would be awesome:

• Video Link

[Riise]

Originally Posted by Wentworth

Something like this would be awesome:

I've been there and was thinking that would be an interesting option if it is structurally possible.

Edit: That place is massive though.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Riise

How well would the Dome work as a market? Even if it was just a placeholder use.

I don't think that wouldn't make economic sense. Markets are good where there are virtually no alternative possibilities. At the dome they wouldn't even be able to cover the electricity costs.

[bt04ku]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Not sure if the stands play any sort of a structural role, if they don't then you could probably remove them and turn the building into a giant exhibition hall or something. I'm sure given an appropriate budget and a talented designer there would be a ton of uses for the Dome.

The stands were the problem at Maple Leaf Gardens when they re-purposed that (originally wanted movie theatres, but wouldn't work with the way the bleachers were). But eventually it became a good use of space.




There are loads of options if the money is there, but who would be willing to invest it is the important question.

[YYCguys]

Wentworth, that's an amazing complex! If only someone with some big bucks would partner up with the Stampede and re create that in the Dome!

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by bt04ku

The stands were the problem at Maple Leaf Gardens when they re-purposed that (originally wanted movie theatres, but wouldn't work with the way the bleachers were). But eventually it became a good use of space.

There are loads of options if the money is there, but who would be willing to invest it is the important question.

I think the Saddledome would be much more complex. With the concave outside walls, the stands will be much more integral to the structure. Possibly you could take out half of it and create an amazing amphitheater, but even that would cost a massive amount of money that won't make sense. The payback just isn't there - and keep in mind that the Saddledome location is not brilliant for food stores and the like. Are you really going to pay $16 for parking so you can buy some bananas?

In contrast, look at Maple Leaf Gardens location in Toronto:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.662299,-79.3807046,528m/data=!3m1!1e3

[Policy Wonk]

I doubt the long-term fortunes of the Saddledome post-Flames will be determined by much other than it's operating costs. And for the record, I think the re-purposed MLG is the tackiest thing I have ever seen, just gross.

And i'm trying to remember the interior of the Stampede Corral as it was, but I'm not sure I have ever been there. I remember being in an arena type building at the Stampede Grounds when I was a kid for a rodeo event, but I remember it being much smaller than the Corral.

[Spring2008]

Def don't demo the saddledome, that buildings a landmark and one of the most unique arenas in the world.
I'm sure there's a lot of options to repurpose, just hire a high profile architect.

Sounds like the flames haven't even selected a site yet, contrary to what we 'be heard here.

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Flames owner: 3 or 4 options to locate 'iconic' arena

JASON MARKUSOFF, CALGARY HERALD
More from Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald

DAN HEALING, CALGARY HERALD
More from Dan Healing, Calgary Herald
Published on: November 28, 2014Last Updated: November 28, 2014 5:06 PM MST


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The Calgary Flames are “getting close” to choosing among three or four potential arena locations but hasn’t yet determined its financing proposal, said the chairman of the hockey club’s ownership group.

Murray Edwards, a billionaire oilpatch and ski resorts investor, spoke out on the team’s long-simmering plans to replace Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, days after the Herald reported on some of the Flames’ options and extent of Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s reluctance to assist with the process or funding.

There’s no preferred site yet, said Edwards.

“We’ve been looking at options for both new buildings and new sites. We haven’t finalized on anything but we’re getting close and what we’re trying to understand is what works as the best model that works for the province, works for the city and works for the teams,” he told reporters at a business forum in Lake Louise.

“And when I say that, I don’t mean that in the context of the financial support or contributions. We haven’t got to that model, but the concept of something that’s an iconic building for the province, an iconic building for the city, something that’s a gathering place. You know, arenas in cities are gathering places, where people gather for pro sports or concerts or conventions.”

Flames CEO Ken King told the Herald the team will look for some sort of “public-private partnership” when it comes forward with its arena proposal. He suggested the ownership group will have its own ante.

“I think that everyone will be very satisfied that all interests are represented financially,” King said.

The team has studied building an arena elsewhere on the Stampede grounds, as well as around where the Greyhound station currently sits west of downtown, though Nenshi and other councillors say they don’t want to give the team free land. Edwards’ remarks indicate those aren’t the only options the club has.



Edwards is one of six Calgary businessmen who jointly co-own the Flames, lacrosse Roughnecks, minor hockey Hitmen and have a majority stake in football’s Stampeders club.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/flames-owner-3-or-4-options-to-locate-iconic-arena

[*Stardust*]

It sounds like from the previous article that Railtown wasn't even an option. Now that Brad Lamb has bought some of the land north of the Orchard, that probably makes it even less likely.

That probably leaves West Village, Firepark, and Stampede Grounds. Im voting stampede grounds. Prime location! As long as it's not designed like a cowboy hat, saddle, boot, horse etc.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

It sounds like from the previous article that Railtown wasn't even an option. Now that Brad Lamb has bought some of the land north of the Orchard, that probably makes it even less likely.

That probably leaves West Village, Firepark, and Stampede Grounds. Im voting stampede grounds. Prime location! As long as it's not designed like a cowboy hat, saddle, boot, horse etc.

Of those, we know the Flames DO NOT want Stampede Grounds. We also know that the opportunity cost of West Village is substantial, so major reluctance from the City. Firepark is the best choice as it will rejuvenate that entire area, and as such be palatable for the City. It also has the most land (particularly if in concert with Max Bell lands) and thus offers major development upside. Great choice!

[The Fisher Account]

Firepark? The best choice? Yeah, let's move our arena out of the vibrant downtown. Seems like a great idea.

[unibrain]

I'd personally like to see the new dome built on the Stampede grounds. I just think the Victoria Park area (and lets not forget East Village) stands to benefit greatly from it, plus with all the existing infrastructure (benefit of having two LRT stations nearby), being able to "walk" easily to and from downtown now that the 4th street underpass is complete and easy access to the Red Mile would make it a winner. The Stampede would be crazy to lose a new stadium deal. It would go great with the "LA Live" concept they want to build with hotels, offices, restaurants, retail and the whole thing.

I wonder if the Saddledome could be re-purposed for something Stampede related.. I know they just built a brand new building for agriculture.. but something to that liking.

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by unibrain

I'd personally like to see the new dome built on the Stampede grounds. I just think the Victoria Park area (and lets not forget East Village) stands to benefit greatly from it, plus with all the existing infrastructure (benefit of having two LRT stations nearby), being able to "walk" easily to and from downtown now that the 4th street underpass is complete and easy access to the Red Mile would make it a winner. The Stampede would be crazy to lose a new stadium deal. It would go great with the "LA Live" concept they want to build with hotels, offices, restaurants, retail and the whole thing.

I wonder if the Saddledome could be re-purposed for something Stampede related.. I know they just built a brand new building for agriculture.. but something to that liking.

Flames don't want to share revenue with the Stampede board anymore and there's not enough room. Next.