Islanders Stampede Corral Story - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Hack&Lube · 01-07-2015, 08:22 AM

Apologies if this was previously posted. I searched but didn't come up with anything. I came across this positive/nostalgic article about the Corral from the Islanders team blog from when they practiced here.

http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=746682#oo

Resolute 14 · 01-07-2015, 08:35 AM

Bit of a shame the Islanders web team didn't find some old 1980-83 Isles (or Flames) to talk about playing there.

Table 5 · 01-07-2015, 08:45 AM

Funnily enough, whenever I went to a game at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, that too felt like going back into a hockey time warp. And in the best sense too... it was small and intimate with its small bowl and high-school-hallway sized concourse, minimal corporate presence, a great old-school organ, stupidly cheap tickets (thats probably no longer the case)...and just an overall presence that felt like you were watching a game straight out of Slapshot.

flamesfan55 · 01-07-2015, 08:46 AM

The pictures make it look like a typical AHL rink.

#-3 · 01-07-2015, 08:54 AM

The one photo of the picture showing the Flames playing there, doesn't quite capture the scope of the history that is plastered all over the walls of the Corral. It's a cool place to show up a half hour early for an event and just look at what is on the walls, you will learn something about the history of hockey in southern Alberta.

Bill Bumface · 01-07-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Funnily enough, whenever I went to a game at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, that too felt like going back into a hockey time warp. And in the best sense too... it was small and intimate with its small bowl and high-school-hallway sized concourse, minimal corporate presence, a great old-school organ, stupidly cheap tickets (thats probably no longer the case)...and just an overall presence that felt like you were watching a game straight out of Slapshot.

Yeah, I was going to say it's hilarious they call it nostalgic when it's nicer than Nassau

Nassau was awesome though, the highest up seats (not that high) have you basically with your head in the rafters. The beer selection was amazing too.

Joe Louis is another dump that is a really great place to watch a game. It'll be sad to see them both go.

undercoverbrother · 01-07-2015, 09:28 AM

I really like the Coral. I hope it stays around when the 'Dome eventually goes.

Sadly, I reckon it will be torn down.

Crazy to think the Flames played there when they first got to town.

GioforPM · 01-07-2015, 10:05 AM

The Corral was great - the fans right on top of the players, and the high boards - I don't think the guys could easily hop over them.

Resolute 14 · 01-07-2015, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I really like the Coral. I hope it stays around when the 'Dome eventually goes.

Sadly, I reckon it will be torn down.

Crazy to think the Flames played there when they first got to town.

Nah, the Corral will stay. There isn't another venue that can handle the mid-sized events it does now. However, I think that the Stampede Board should consider gutting and rebuilding the inside much like how Ricoh Coliseum was redone in Toronto.

undercoverbrother · 01-07-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Nah, the Corral will stay. There isn't another venue that can handle the mid-sized events it does now. However, I think that the Stampede Board should consider gutting and rebuilding the inside much like how Ricoh Coliseum was redone in Toronto.

I hope it does stay.

The gutting part, for me is tuff.

Part of the charm is the interior.

That being said I can see why a gut would be needed.

Perhaps, a restoration might be better (but cost more money?).

GioforPM · 01-07-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I hope it does stay.

The gutting part, for me is tuff.

Part of the charm is the interior.

That being said I can see why a gut would be needed.

Perhaps, a restoration might be better (but cost more money?).

Most of the interior charm is in the photos and memorabilia, which can go up again.

undercoverbrother · 01-07-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Most of the interior charm is in the photos and memorabilia, which can go up again.

agreed, but I also like the interior (which I am sure will put me in the minority).

Dion · 01-07-2015, 10:40 AM

Phil Russell · 01-07-2015, 11:02 AM

For God's sake leave the Corral as is. Calgary is a great city, very progressive and well planned. It has managed its extraordinary development fairly well except in two areas: sprawl and historic preservation. City leaders and the community have done a terrible job, collectively, preserving the city's architectural past.

It would be a very good bet, that in 50 years, a preserved Corral will have more ammenity value to the city and people of Calgary than whatever hunk of glass and steel and pavement that might take its place. And historic stadiums and arenas will be particularly rare, North America-wide. Already, very few survive. Is the Corral the oldest surviving NHL arena on the continent? I don't know, but if it isn't, I bet its damn close. And it already stands as a museum to minor/professional hockey. It's a gem.

Puppet Guy · 01-07-2015, 11:26 AM

Saw both my first ever hockey game (Calgary Wranglers vs. Great Falls Americans) and first ever Flames game (Flames vs. Minnesota North Stars) in the Corral. Would love to see it become some sort of Calgary sport/hockey hall of fame or museum, but that'd be unlikely.

GioforPM · 01-07-2015, 12:47 PM

I wuold never suggest changing the Corral - but if you want to use it more, you'd have to upgrade sets and washrooms. that's all.

manwiches · 01-07-2015, 12:53 PM

I love the rustic feel of the Corral. I even enjoyed playing my beer league games there, despite the erratic boards.

Locke · 01-07-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I wuold never suggest changing the Corral - but if you want to use it more, you'd have to upgrade sets and washrooms. that's all.

No..you gotta leave those seats. Those things make it!

Upgrade the washrooms, no argument there.

I love the Corral.

greentree · 01-07-2015, 01:52 PM

My earliest Corral experiences go back to the Scotty Munro/John Davidson/Mike Rogers/Danny Gare Calgary Centennials days and the SRO crowds. Then the Cowboys, then the Flames. Whenever possible I visit the old barn for a big dose of nostalgia. Wonderful place.

Locke · 01-07-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greentree

My earliest Corral experiences go back to the Scotty Munro/John Davidson/Mike Rogers/Danny Gare Calgary Centennials days and the SRO crowds. Then the Cowboys, then the Flames. Whenever possible I visit the old barn for a big dose of nostalgia. Wonderful place.

Dear Lord, how old are you? You have to be collecting a pension! Do you have a cane? Do you need one?