I can't see a scenario where the Dome survives the new arena.
I think the best case scenario is if the city makes an Olympic bid, and the Dome squeezes out 'x' amount of time until then.
Maybe you can drastically alter the interior, and make a speed skating rink, curling rink, etc., in addition to an NHL-regulation rink? Feasible? No idea. Practical? Probably not.
I just don't see any scenario that the Dome survives the new arena outside of a couple of extended years if the city decides to bid on a number of events (Memorial Cup, World Championships, WJC, Olympics, etc). Even then - even if they bid on every single one and get every single one by some crazy luck - they Dome will eventually go down once those events are done.
From the Stampede point of view, I think they would rather build a more functional building for themselves on that land. Heck, even a smaller building with better acoustics to bring in some of the bands they would like during Stampede, have another building for whatever general purpose they require, or even just expand the midway or whatever else they want. I don't think the Saddledome is a very 'stampede friendly' building, though it is does fit with the Stampede culture.
|