Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigtime
|
Yes I get it, the whole 'Cowboys and Indians' 1950s style old western movie template thing wasn't really Calgary to a T back in the late 1800s (even though the area was still a center for agriculture and in the middle of ranching country). Fair enough, point noted and maybe the some elements of the authenticity of this myth being embellished actually mattered when the festival was fledgling back a hundred years ago.
Now in 2013 the Stampede has been going on for so long that it's size and longevity in itself makes the festival motif a prominent and important part of the city's heritage. Bottomline, it put Calgary on the map when Calgary might not have enough other reasons to be there. Just because Calgary's evolved a more eccletic cultural scene after growing past a million people shouldn't relegate the Stampede and its influences to the trash heap of history.
If the new arena is sandstone and brick, and similar to American Airlines Center or Nationwide, as a Flames STH I will be very pleased and won't shed a tear for the 'avant-garde' design crowd. If we end up getting a cutting edge design that has ample concourse space, ample washrooms, great sightlines and top notch amenities then that would also be great too. My only concern with an 'innovative' design is that it may run the risk of being something that for functionality purposes might be viewed in the future as being a mistake. One only has to look to Montreal's Olympic Stadium and the Autostade to be reminded of designs that were more favorable to those photograhing them than those who actually use the facilities.