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Originally Posted by bob-loblaw
I can't see it leaving the Stampede grounds. The Stampede's retail plans have fizzled, but the only way they'd have a chance making any more 'north' development happen is by keeping the Flames and adding the Stamps. There's a ton of empty land there already and people will be creeping in from the east village but they can't lose what they have already.
I heard on 770 about six months ago that the Stampede Board and the Flames have already agreed to build on the site of the Big Four since it was pretty trashed by the flood. Plus there's already two train stations right next to it.
This is only my two cents, but they'd have to present it as a big picture win-win-win-win for the city, U of C, Stampede and Flames. If you build on the south end of the grounds you could possibly build an arena, stadium, and retro-fit the grandstand all in one massive complex. The only way I could see any public money thrown into the project is if the Stampede has it's fingers in it so all levels of government can pretend to hold their noses and pump the funds in for 'culture'.
The city has plans already for the west village and the existing stadium area and I can't see them wanting to throw it all away. The U of C can sell off the stadium lands for redevelopment so the city gets the higher density growth they want.
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I think years ago when this all started and it was just a hockey rink, it seemed certain that they would knock down the big four, build the building into the Round up center (i think it was still the round up center back then) and complete rebuild the Vic Park Station to be complete integrated into the complex.
Since then, it seems like the Flames and the Stampede have had issues, probably over Park Revenues and July Concert Revenues. And the Stampedes land just hasn't been talked about at all. (just speculating, but it seems like neither side is talking about working together anymore)
In that time the Flames also purchased ~1/6th of the Stamps & the roughnecks. and it seems like the project has grown anywhere from 3 to 5 times the initial scope.
From everything we are hearing it is possible the project could include all of a Average to Large Partly Covered CFL stadium, a extremely modern NHL rink, a large indoor field house (versatile amateur sports facility, soccer, track, CFL/NLL practices........), parkades, and probably a secondary ice surface + the bonus of direct indoor access to Condos/Hotels. There is just no space for all of that in the Big Four Location. The Stampede does own the land on the north end of Olympic ave, but that location would double the current distance from the LRT, and I think the Flames are just past working with the Stampede.