The Saddle Dome is 23 years old and the Flames have anounced this week they want a new Modern Stadium built. Their lease runs out 2014 and they have set that as a possible date. They would like it in the same area and possibly on the same spot. It was last updated in 1995.

why not just have a huge renovation? the Saddledome is a landmark venue.

The Saddledome is fine for, oh I don't know, Fort McMurray, but Calgary is now a thriving metropolis, so it is time for the relic to be replaced with something dramatic and modern.

I agree.

I like the Saddledome. It's iconic and a defining part of the city skyline (at least from the southeast). I would hate to see an excellent venue replaced by something bland and generic, like most of the arenas and stadiums going up nowadays (in North America).

Quite frankly, I can't see my city without it.

NO DONT DO IT!!! Seriously thats like the MSG of Calgary...you should protect it.

i don't disagree that the Saddledome is fine for say, the Hitmen...isn't it the largest arena in the WHL?

but it is kinda getting a little outdated. i'm sure Calgary's million plus people would back a new arena for its now thriving NHL team. especially if they make another run at the cup this year (be better for any arena bid if they won it...). personally, i wouldn't mind seeing a new 25,000 seat arena in Vic Park say inbetween 5th and 6 Street SE and 12 and 14 ave SE.

but i think Calgary should concentrate on a new stadium for the Stamps before worrying about the Flames new digs

I agree, the PenGrowth Saddledome is iconic. Could they transform it into something else? Maybe a convention centre?

Transform the dreadful thing into a skateboard bowl!

I like Winnipeg's new arena, and think Calgary could use something like it....

http://www.truenorthproject.mb.ca/concepts/exterior3.jpg

Transform the dreadful thing into a skateboard bowl!

LOL, why would we do that? We already have the worlds largest outdoor skatepark (Shaw Millenium Park) just to the west of Downtown.

BTW, they've mentioned that any new arena would have the same amount of regulary seating, but add more extra stuff (more box seats, restaurants, more restrooms, etc.) so the average Calgarian likely wouldn't benefit from this.

What I'd love to see is another huge renovation on the Saddledome and make it as up-to-date as the Flames would like to see. Then, as the project would inevitably cut into part of a season, have the the Flames play their home games in the Corral! Wouldn't that be nostalgic.

have the the Flames play their home games in the Corral! Wouldn't that be nostalgic.


yeah, and then we can really get away with the Vintage Jersey trend. maybe we can even convince Lanny, Hakan Loob, and Pepper to come back and play for us for those games too

yeah, and then we can really get away with the Vintage Jersey trend. maybe we can even convince Lanny, Hakan Loob, and Pepper to come back and play for us for those games too

You see... we're thinking alike! :drunk:

You see... we're thinking alike! :drunk:

see, now this may be off topic, but if the Flames and Oilers wanted to make some serious money next season:

have an "80's Revival Game" in the Corral as the season opener.

you have the old Flames (ie: McDonald, Loob, Peplinski, Suter, Otto, Vernon...coached by Terry Crisp) play the old Oilers (ie: Gretzky, Messier, MacTavish, Anderson, Coffey, Fhur...coached by Glenn Sather) in a 3 10 minute period game prior to the main game. honestly, i think that would go over and sell better then the Outdoor Classic that the Oilers and Hab's tried a couple years back...

its a pipe dream. but it would be totally awesome!!!

I saw Lanny play in an All-Stars game at the Corral this winter, and it drew a pretty good crowd.

see, now this may be off topic, but if the Flames and Oilers wanted to make some serious money next season:

have an "80's Revival Game" in the Corral as the season opener.

you have the old Flames (ie: McDonald, Loob, Peplinski, Suter, Otto, Vernon...coached by Terry Crisp) play the old Oilers (ie: Gretzky, Messier, MacTavish, Anderson, Coffey, Fhur...coached by Glenn Sather) in a 3 10 minute period game prior to the main game. honestly, i think that would go over and sell better then the Outdoor Classic that the Oilers and Hab's tried a couple years back...

its a pipe dream. but it would be totally awesome!!!

I totally agree. It would be great entertainment. I think the Oilers would probably kill em, but I know a game like that would be just for the fun and nostalgia of it. Maybe someone like you should try to get the ball rolling. :)

If anyone needs a new arena its Edmonton.

The Saddledome may be a little aged but I think some renovations could bring it back.

Transform the dreadful thing into a skateboard bowl!

I like Winnipeg's new arena, and think Calgary could use something like it....

http://www.truenorthproject.mb.ca/concepts/exterior3.jpg


why would Calgary use something like that. The MTS Centre is too small for NHL hockey at a capasity of 15 015 patrons. the Old "dreadful dome" holds thousands more. Yep, it's still a numbers game!
I think the Saddledome has alot more appeal then most new rinks.

23 years old is still pretty young, maybe a reno, but with all the money flowing in Calgary i'm sure something could be done. I'm cheering for the Red mile again this year since the leafs are out, you better bring it home.

They should keep the good old sadle... its like, a calgary landmark haha.

After being asked about a new coliseum being the same size as the Saddledome or possibly having a larger capacity, Ken King was quoted as saying that it would be smaller than the existing dome. It would seat around 18,000 only, but would have over 200 corporate suites. I know the suites bring in much more revenue, but don't you think going smaller for regular seating sends the wrong message to Flames fans? He's basically telling the other 1,290 people who would've normally fit into the dome, that they really aren't that important. What's important is just the bottom line. That's what he's admiting, without actually saying it. In my opinion, Calgary needs to think big. Don't make the same mistake as Winnipeg and build too small, build big. Ken King should build his 200+ corporate suites and have a regular seating capacity of at least 20,000. By doing this you are telling regular-Joe-fan that they matter and are welcome to the games.

If anyone needs a new arena its Edmonton.
...it's in the works as we speak....

http://www.sisec.ca/public/galleries/g1/Saddledome3.jpg

The Saddledome is a landmark, but it is kind of ugly. I think that they would be better off with a massive renovation to both the interior and the exterior.

it's a prominent Calgary landmark.....a major renovation would do, perhaps a new glass facade, new seats, renovated halls, etc.

I like Winnipeg's new arena, and think Calgary could use something like it....

http://www.truenorthproject.mb.ca/concepts/exterior3.jpg
Blegh.

Keep the Saddledome! :yes:

i like the sadle dome also just needs a good cleaning

If anyone needs a new arena its Edmonton...

there is a statement i don't think anyone could ever disagree with. Rexal Place/Skyreach Center/Northlands Colleseum needs to be imploded. perhaps maybe edmonton could make use of some of the vacant land downtown and build a new arena.