New Downtown Calgary Arena

[hulkrogan]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I dunno, the Roman Coliseum was pretty sweet. They had everything from Gladiator matches to boat battles.

I'm fairly certain that wasn't indoor. "Indoor multipurpose stadium" being the key to a failed project.

[Fuzz]

Ah, missed that part. But it did have a semi-retractable roof!

[hulkrogan]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Ah, missed that part. But it did have a semi-retractable roof!

Exactly what I want for my dream Calgary stadium

Just maybe some slightly newer roof technology so it doesn't end up like the Big O.

[christmas]

Do you guys think they should wait until the summer of 2019 for the 2026 olympic bid before unveiling the final design?
Cause I think the city is pretty serious about bidding for the 2026 winter olympics

Article published on March 22 about the potential Calgary 2026 bid.
http://www.thegauntlet.ca/calgary-on-the-right-track-with-2026-olympic-bid/

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by christmas

Do you guys think they should wait until the summer of 2019 for the 2026 olympic bid before unveiling the final design?
Cause I think the city is pretty serious about bidding for the 2026 winter olympics

Article published on March 22 about the potential Calgary 2026 bid.
http://www.thegauntlet.ca/calgary-on-the-right-track-with-2026-olympic-bid/

While I like the idea of bidding for an international games, that particular article is quite half-baked.

[CorporateWhore]

Yeah, that article is all sorts of terrible.

[CalgaryArchitecture]

Here are some pictures of the scale-model that was captured in Ken King's "updated" video.

[McMurph]

I hope the connection from Sunalta to the river (through the station and between the stadium and arena) is intended to be open and public. The long term plan was to have a pedestrian bridge across the river thereabouts. It would be nice if it were a straight-through pedestrian route and not have to dead end and deviate around a massive multi block private dead space.

[Innersoul1]

Cool captures from the video. According to those models, the arena will have a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 ton of box seats. Looks like 3 levels around the entire rink. But we know not to trust models

[ZeDgE]

lol

Of course the stadium is shaped like a horse shoe.. Even has the L shape at the ends.

[People.talking]

Do we really need that many box seats in the rink? I thought we barely filled up what we have in the Saddledome.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by People.talking

Do we really need that many box seats in the rink? I thought we barely filled up what we have in the Saddledome.

The desire for additional boxes is probably one of the driving factors behind the push for a new arena. It may be a tougher sell with the current economic climate but you can always discount the posh seats while there is only so much sprucing up you can do to the cheap seats.

[Frenzy]

Originally Posted by People.talking

Do we really need that many box seats in the rink? I thought we barely filled up what we have in the Saddledome.

The seating arrangement looks similar to the Staples Centre in LA.

[Socguy]

Originally Posted by People.talking

Do we really need that many box seats in the rink? I thought we barely filled up what we have in the Saddledome.

That's like asking if we really need to make MORE money when we already make lots.

Of course for the 'average' fan (i.e. non-corporate sponsored) such a setup means that you're going to be paying more for the privilege of crappier seats.

[Count Chocula]

The field house should be where it was originally planned to be, Foothills Athletic Park. Or are we also planning to make McMahon into a heritage site as well? Stampede grounds are a waste of prime real estate and calgaryNEXT will follow suit. Yes, lets have 4 inner city stadiums, supporting one damned hockey franchise, and an even more pathetic Canadian football team. I love sports, but Calgary isn't the best city to enjoy them. Lets stop trying so hard to force Hockey and Football down peoples throats, but instead provide the necessary foundation so that we can develop the youth into whatever type of athlete they want to be. IMO keep the Flames where they are, keep McMahon where it is, build a Field House somewhere, to promote Rugby, Soccer, and Track/Field year round!!

[Fuzz]

Well, you have to admit at some point the Flames will need a new arena. I'm not convinced that point is now, but at the pace this project is moving, they should probably at least plan. Whether they need an entertainment complex is another kettle of fish, and I'd be inclined to agree with you on your other points. And I think the Arena should be downtown somewhere, as opposed to Balzac, or erhm, Firepark.

[artvandelay]

I don't have much interest in living in a city with second rate facilities. Pretty soon we will have the worst football and hockey arenas in the country when we can afford to have world class venues. Both McMahon and the Saddledome are in need of replacement in the short term.

[Fuzz]

When is the contamination report due out for West Village? I thought I remember hearing March or April...

[Riise]

Originally Posted by artvandelay

I don't have much interest in living in a city with second rate facilities. Pretty soon we will have the worst football and hockey arenas in the country when we can afford to have world class venues. Both McMahon and the Saddledome are in need of replacement in the short term.

While McMahon needs some love, a new arena would simply be keeping up with the Joneses. If the Flames want to finance a 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 content, they can go ahead. However, Calgarians shouldn't have to pay for the opportunity to pay more to watch the Flames.

[MalcolmTucker]

So when it is 10 or 20 acts bypassing Calgary instead of 3 or 4, could we agree the Saddledome is a bit outmoded? Even without the Flames there would be pressure to replace it. From a different crowd, but still.