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krazycanuck · 01-05-2016, 02:14 AM

I've been hoping for a long time that the Flames and the Stampede board would come up with a solution together.

Having a stadium located around where the Saddledome is currently would provide the Stampede with a new and better location for the rodeo. They are currently limited in the number of premium seats that they can offer at the Grandstand. Those seats currently are very hard to get and I'd have to think lots of potential revenue is being left on the table. Not only could they use it for the rodeo during stampede but at night it would give them a place to hold big concerts like they do in Houston at NRG Stadium during RodeoHouston. Now instead of only being a 10 football game a year venue, they can add 10 days of rodeo and nightly concerts during the stampede. If the building has a roof (preferably retractable) they now have extra convention space and even more days of use outside of Stampede. It also gives them another venue they can sell the naming rights on.

With the Stampede being the primary tenant, I think that would open up funding options from the provincial and federal government as well to get it done. They each pitched in $25 million for the Agrium events centre when it was built. If each level of government contributed $50m, The Flames/Stamps throw in 25 million, the stampede does 25 million and another 75-100m coming from a ticket tax they could get a nice venue done coming in at around $275-$300 million (the same as Regina's new stadium).

Think about the parking revenue the Stampede would lose if the Flames left. Their 4,000 parking spaces bring in $60,000 per game. or $2,700,000 over 45 games. That doesn't factor in playoff games, Hitmen games, Roughneck games, concerts and anything else that happens at the Saddledome.

If the Flames were to leave the Stampede grounds any plans that do remain for the Stampede Trail and Stampede hotel plan would have to be shelved as I don't think it would be plausible to have that work without the arena bringing people to the area 100+ days of the year.

If the Flames are still willing to contribute for the arena, and have their ticket tax that could get done on it's own. Land would still be owned by the Stampede. The Stampede boards benefit would be they get to keep their parking revenue and would have a brand new arena to anchor around their retail and entertainment destination dreams. They could also have an agreement in place like they do currently to allow the Stampede to use the venue during the festival in July.

The Flames would have their new arena, they wouldn't need to pay for land and there would be no public money going towards the rink.

The Stampeders would have a new place to play to solidify their revenues

The Stampede would maintain their existing revenues from parking and be able to generate new revenues through the new stadium/convention space and potentially their hotel and retail plans

The neighbourhood has the potential to be a destination and an exciting community year round

The city gets to keep the west village in their back pocket as their next east village type project

The city's contribution to an eventual fieldhouse would mean it would be used 365 days a year for its intended purpose, and not an occasional pro stadium

There is no reworking of major roads to make it work

Everything remains central

Make it happen.

01-05-2016, 02:14 AM	#40
krazycanuck Won the Worst Son Ever Award Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherwood Park Exp:	I've been hoping for a long time that the Flames and the Stampede board would come up with a solution together. Having a stadium located around where the Saddledome is currently would provide the Stampede with a new and better location for the rodeo. They are currently limited in the number of premium seats that they can offer at the Grandstand. Those seats currently are very hard to get and I'd have to think lots of potential revenue is being left on the table. Not only could they use it for the rodeo during stampede but at night it would give them a place to hold big concerts like they do in Houston at NRG Stadium during RodeoHouston. Now instead of only being a 10 football game a year venue, they can add 10 days of rodeo and nightly concerts during the stampede. If the building has a roof (preferably retractable) they now have extra convention space and even more days of use outside of Stampede. It also gives them another venue they can sell the naming rights on. With the Stampede being the primary tenant, I think that would open up funding options from the provincial and federal government as well to get it done. They each pitched in $25 million for the Agrium events centre when it was built. If each level of government contributed $50m, The Flames/Stamps throw in 25 million, the stampede does 25 million and another 75-100m coming from a ticket tax they could get a nice venue done coming in at around $275-$300 million (the same as Regina's new stadium). Think about the parking revenue the Stampede would lose if the Flames left. Their 4,000 parking spaces bring in $60,000 per game. or $2,700,000 over 45 games. That doesn't factor in playoff games, Hitmen games, Roughneck games, concerts and anything else that happens at the Saddledome. If the Flames were to leave the Stampede grounds any plans that do remain for the Stampede Trail and Stampede hotel plan would have to be shelved as I don't think it would be plausible to have that work without the arena bringing people to the area 100+ days of the year. If the Flames are still willing to contribute for the arena, and have their ticket tax that could get done on it's own. Land would still be owned by the Stampede. The Stampede boards benefit would be they get to keep their parking revenue and would have a brand new arena to anchor around their retail and entertainment destination dreams. They could also have an agreement in place like they do currently to allow the Stampede to use the venue during the festival in July. The Flames would have their new arena, they wouldn't need to pay for land and there would be no public money going towards the rink. The Stampeders would have a new place to play to solidify their revenues The Stampede would maintain their existing revenues from parking and be able to generate new revenues through the new stadium/convention space and potentially their hotel and retail plans The neighbourhood has the potential to be a destination and an exciting community year round The city gets to keep the west village in their back pocket as their next east village type project The city's contribution to an eventual fieldhouse would mean it would be used 365 days a year for its intended purpose, and not an occasional pro stadium There is no reworking of major roads to make it work Everything remains central Make it happen.