Flames to announce plans to announce arena plans in the... future...

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Too bad all the dumb pet projects these alderman have aren't put to plebiscite.

I'm more shocked that everyone's favourite Ward 13 alder-whatever didn't stick/force her nose into this story. It's got completely pointless political fodder written all over it.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Sorry, but this is plain awful. Looks like a tacky and cheap version of olden-times....without the charm or quality.

The last place anyone should be looking towards for architectural inspiration is North Dakota.

Best arena I've visited (mind you, haven't been to too many), has granite floors, leather and cherry wood for their seats, every inch of that place is made to be the best. Shouldn't knock an arena just because it's in the middle of nowhere America. Never heard tacky and that arena said in the same sentence until your post.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Considering that council has no desire to fund any portion of the arena, and the team seemingly has no desire to involve council, I think the chances of public money funding the arena are pretty small.

That would be quite the shocker in Edmonton, and perhaps why the Flames are keeping quiet until the Edmonton Arena deal is finalized. If the Flames are able to finance an arena with little or no public money, the city of Edmonton will want to examine why Katz can't do the same.

[Laner99]

I've been to a few somewhat new arenas in the league (Dallas, LA, Philly) and one older one (MSG) and from what I have seen some must haves include:

Better concourses - I know a couple rinks I've been to have 2 levels of concourses. Making lots of room to move and less lines for the bathroom and beers. This is my biggest issue with the dome.

Larger lower bowl. Again lots of new rinks have massive lower bowls then a smaller 2nd level. The dome is the exact opposite, smaller lower bowl larger 2nd level. I know LA and MSG both have a great set up with nothing but a walkway and about a 7 foot wall separating the 1st and 2nd levels. Done very well. LA also did a great job with its suites being above the 2nd level. Great set up.

Parking - the dome is a ridiculous price and a mess to exit every game. There has to be a better way. And now they are digging up another large section of the lots making it even worse at the dome. Brutal.

Bigger lounge - duttons is about half the size it needs to be.

That's my hit list.

[korzym12]

On New Arena Financing:

The Flames & Oilers should first go to their Internal Governing body: the NHL.

In 2010, the NHL & NBC signed a 10 year, $2 billion broadcasting deal, which provides about $200 million per year to the NHL.

This would be more than enough money to assist their franchises in replacing aging arenas, and if they're not lying, they'll make more money.

MacDonald's has recently done this too. The main company recently renovated all restaurants owned by local MacDonalds franchise owners. It's the exact same situation as the NHL and all of its franchises.

There's absolutely no need to go to the government to find money for these arenas. Other things to consider is that Murray Edwards is a major shareholder of Canadian Natural Resources - one of the heavy weight companies of Canada. Also, if you check Nenshi's twitter account, he has many comments along the lines of "spend half a billion on a new arena to attract a Lady Gaga concert - I don't see it".

[FlameyMcFlameFace]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

There is an arena in Europe that has the hyperbolic, saddle shape, but it's all glass. I can remember for the life of me where. Any help?

I always thought that one would be a cool and modern take on the saddledome design.

I really hope your not talking about this lol..


I really think its time to move past the "stampede" look, we are now a major city. I would love to see something real modern and world class..

[SebC]

How about plebiscites on fluoride and secondary suites?

[scotty2hotty]

Hehe, no.

It's all glass, similar to the Allianz arena, but has a subtle 'saddle' shape. Driving me nuts that I can't remember the arena.

[magicpixels]

I think the plans are going to shock people more than they are thinking. Just to be clear on what to expect.

1. 21,000-22,000 capacity arena with increased luxury boxes and lower bowl space.

2. 15 Story Five Star Hotel.

3. Largest Casino in Calgary.


All 3 make total sense from not only a flames standpoint but for what the building would be used for as well. I'm unsure why other teams have not incorporated a hotel into any of the arenas as of yet considering they have paying patrons on a regular basis from other teams that come through. Not to mention a hotel for visiting road staff that come through for concerts and other things that will use the facility.

The casino is a simple no brainer as they want something with the potential to operate as more than an arena. I suspect they will truly blow anything we've ever seen out of the water.

It won't be built out in the east village either. It will be in the west area of downtown Calgary right near the new LRT lines. They need the LRT more than many people realize.

[Tinordi]

This city has acute transport and re-urbanization challenges, I would hope that municipal decision makers realize that spending money on an arena is a very low priority.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by magicpixels

I think the plans are going to shock people more than they are thinking. Just to be clear on what to expect.

1. 21,000-22,000 capacity arena with increased luxury boxes and lower bowl space.

2. 15 Story Five Star Hotel.

3. Largest Casino in Calgary.


All 3 make total sense from not only a flames standpoint but for what the building would be used for as well. I'm unsure why other teams have not incorporated a hotel into any of the arenas as of yet considering they have paying patrons on a regular basis from other teams that come through. Not to mention a hotel for visiting road staff that come through for concerts and other things that will use the facility.

The casino is a simple no brainer as they want something with the potential to operate as more than an arena. I suspect they will truly blow anything we've ever seen out of the water.

It won't be built out in the east village either. It will be in the west area of downtown Calgary right near the new LRT lines. They need the LRT more than many people realize.

Edmonton has a hotel in their development. Staples Center has two in the L.A. Live area, also.

[Freeway]

West end of downtown is a transportation NIGHTMARE.

Smart money from what I've heard is east village spot north of Stampede Park.

[nik-]

There's no way the capacity is going to be over 20000. It's likely going to have less capacity than the Saddledome.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by nik-

There's no way the capacity is going to be over 20000. It's likely going to have less capacity than the Saddledome.

You've been magicpixeled.

[polak]

Another downtown Casino?

Altough, Cowboys Casino was an absolute gong show after the game on Saturday so I'm sure there is plenty of cash to be made.

No red brick or standstone please and thank you.

[magicpixels]

There is no way in hell they make it a smaller arena especially when the owners know they can easily sell 20,000 plus tickets a game.

Wouldn't be hard to implement a casino as we don't really have even one single first class casino in our city.

[GGG]

No way capcity will be 21k. Even a slight over supply of tickets kills your ability to charge premium prices and maintain your season ticket base because if you can get tickets to any game you don't need to have season tickets.

What you will see is the elimination of the press level type seating. So all 18 or 19k seats will have much better site lines. I would suspect you will get the newer standard of a lower bowl, a row of boxes, a club level, a row of boxes, a third level that is similar in site lines of the current green seats and the back of the whites.

[Muffins]

Less seats and more luxury boxes seems to be the trend for new arenas.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Looks good, that should keep the lowest common denominator, populist alderman happy.

Not using public money because the owners and players of a team will stand to be more profitable, is a silly, petty, misery loves company confirming reason. If someone didn't want to use public money because they believe in a better use then that's different. But who cares if NHL owners are richer, if that's the best use for funds then you allocate in that way. People make money personally as a result of how public funds are used all the time.

It seems to make perfect sense to me. Why should the city be funding an arena the Flames owners can afford to build themselves and will reap all the profits from? There is basically no financial incentive for the city to be involved.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Muffins

Less seats and more luxury boxes seems to be the trend for new arenas.

Just another reason why the city shouldn't be involved in the project. Let's use taxpayer money to fund a new arena so less people can enjoy it than the current building and those that can have to pay a premium, alienating the lower and middle classes. And, obviously, none of those additional revenues created by this make it back to city.