The Flames and the City of Calgary would require a new arena in one way or another in the near future, that really isn't that much up for debate. Everybody loves new but it comes down to who should own it and who should pay for the majority of it and contribute.
We hear from the like's of the Flames and Gary Bettman that the Dome isn't suitable for the long term health of the franchise and that Calgary won't get marque events such as All-Star game/NHL draft. Fair enough, I could see the ARGUMENT for that in some sense what about the World Jr's from a few years ago? What about the potential for the World Cup going to Calgary and Edmonton as is the rumor?
So when it comes down to it and the fact that a city like Calgary will 100% support a World Jr's with what I believe was the highest grossing tournament until the first Toronto/Montreal tournament and the fact that the World Cup may come here, than at that point the Dome is suitable? Seems kind of interesting to me than when need be we are suitable as a venue.
As for all the concerts that are bypassing Calgary and all the other shortcoming of the Dome, I am sure there are some renovation work that could at least ASSIST with improving the experiences. As for the roof, I am sure there may be an engineering option the Flames could look at but I am not sure it's financially viable for them but I am not sure that is the taxpayers concern to be honest.
At the end of the day the Flames have a strong enough bid to pay for the arena given the current funding model give or take. $200 mil from ownership, free land from the city and $250 million in ticket tax should be close enough to getting a quality rink.
Hopefully we hear some information sooner rather than later.
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