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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Which sucks for concerts because the rigging setup a lot of large shows use needs to be hung from the ceiling and the Saddledome cannot support that.
Not sure how many times that needs to be reiterated. Calgary misses on our big shows that bring people from out of town, bring business to hotels/restaurants because the Saddledome setup cannot support their speaker/lighting setups without massive modifications. Just because Garth Brooks eventually decided to bring a modified setup does not mean that typically happens.
If Calgary wants to be a premier city that brings in big name rock, pop, country concerts then yes, we need a new arena ASAP. The Flames are not the only reason a new building is needed. So yes a new arena is needed if Calgary wants to be a premier destination for concerts. These concerts bring people from out of town to stay in hotels, eat at restaurants. The bands themselves and their crews also stay in hotels and eat at restaurants. Some people do not seem to be considering this aspect of a new arena.
Personally I've travelled in the past to Tacoma and Vancouver to see shows from bands that skipped Calgary. We could have the reverse. People travelling from Sask, BC, rural AB to come see major shows. It brings in tourism dollars no question.
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How much? What's the dollar figure? What are these people spending on restaurants and hotels?
Figures not anecdotes. What's the economic impact of a major concert in a major city.