I know all the benefits of a new arena and the problems with the Saddledome, I just think the argument for it would be more convincing if it wasn’t framed as a “need.” The Flames aren’t a need either, they’re a nice-to-have, and I love having them, but there is no angle where an NHL hockey team is a need, and therefore there is no angle where an arena that can hold an NHL hockey team is one.
Hell, even Arizona is getting by without one and they have an NHL team.
The Saddledome is fine, truly. It won’t last forever. But we should be very clear on the fact that whether you want to bring in business, host concerts, create a place to gather the community, or create jobs, an NHL hockey-ready arena is not the best choice, it may not even be top 10 for any of those things. It’s for hosting an NHL team and keeping the Flames in Calgary, so let’s not bull#### about other made up reasons why we want it.
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