Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
It's still a dump, just with some new makeup on it. You can't fix what is a flawed building, and that building is terrible for any event. Sight lines suck, the acoustics are terrible, and the concessions are terrible. The only thing going for the arena is location. Other than that its one of the worst buildings I've been in. Should have been bulldozed.
It can't be renovated any more than it already has. Again, you can't fix a flawed building, and the Saddledome is a flawed building.
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You're putting a lot of stock into a new building and what it will offer fans compared to the Saddledome or any older building's experience. What is the expectation of the average fan that will be looking for a modest or cheap seat (which will likely double at least) in the new building?
- A more accessible and robust concourse
- Improved washroom facilities
- Better access via bigger entrances and exits
- Improved in game experience via new lightboards, screens and other tech
Aside from this you can't really say with any certainty that the sightlines will be any better, and if they are, are they so drastically better that it's worth double the cost of practically any comparable seat you may use?
Either way the benefit to the average fan is miniscule at best unless you're hob knobbing in pricey suites or banking on seeing the half dozen extra concerts/events that may filter in over the course of a year... The whole thing is pretty moot if you ask me. Does this new building need to happen at some point? Sure. But the reality is that the City wants this to position the area for further development, and the Flames want to immediately increase their franchise value by $400M.
Someone is going to blink as there is far too much at stake on both sides at this point. I'd prefer the city to put in the least amount possible here, but at some point you can only wring the towel so much.