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

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Joborule

That wasn't U of C was it? I thought it was Stamps (Flames) expenses.

McMahon operates under mostly the same principles as the Dome, the U of C own McMahon and the land but the Flames/Stamps lease and operate it.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by getbak

It's still going to be years before the Stamps are in a new building. I wouldn't be surprised if they prioritize the construction of the arena ahead of the stadium, so if it's a minimum of 5 years before the Flames are in a new building, it will probably be longer for the Stamps. If the arena opens in the fall of 2020, the stadium likely won't open until the summer of 2021 or maybe even 2022.

So, even best case scenario, they'll still get 7 or 8 seasons of use from the new scoreboard. Then, once the new building is open, they can either move the scoreboard to the new building, or sell it to another facility that needs one.

Do you have any insider knowledge or are you just talking out of your ass?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Do you have any insider knowledge or are you just talking out of your ass?

About what part?

As I posted earlier, last year I asked Ken King how long it will be before the new building is open once it's announced, and he said it would still be a minimum of five years after the announcement. Based on that, if they make the announcement soon, 2020 is the likely earliest opening date.


About them prioritizing the arena ahead of the stadium, that's just a guess on my part.

On a project of that size, I expect them to do a phased opening so that it can start generating revenue ASAP. If I were running it, the arena and necessary supporting infrastructure for the arena would be priority #1 because they will be booking many more events in the arena than in the stadium. The second priority would be the restaurants and bars of the Entertainment District, again to start bringing in revenue. The third priority would be the stadium and the final priority would be the fieldhouse/practice facility.


Let's call the opening year of the arena year 20XX. If I were running the project, my targets would be: Summer of 20XX, open arena and onsite parking to host 4 or 5 concerts of varying size prior to start of the Flames' season. Summer/early fall of 20XX, phased opening of the restaurants and bars of the Entertainment District surrounding the arena. Fall/winter of 20XX or 20XX+1, open Flames practice rink for use by the Flames, Hitmen, and visiting teams. Summer of 20XX+1, open the stadium for the Stampeders' season and open the full fieldhouse facility to the public.

Depending on the availability and costs of labour when construction begins, it might make sense to build the arena completely before even starting work on the stadium, so that the construction crew can transfer from one project to the other rather than trying to staff two large crews working simultaneously (obviously, this depends on how much the two buildings are integrated into each other). If that happens, the stadium probably won't open until two years after the arena.


Again, I know nothing, that's just what I could see happening.

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

The scoreboard can be moved. They put it up with a change in stadium in mind.

If I'm not mistaken, that was also the plan originally with the new scoreboard in the Saddledome? That when they moved out they would take it with them. Hard to believe now (assuming they announce this year sometime) they would install a then 13-year old scoreboard in a brand new arena but hey you never know.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by getbak

It's still going to be years before the Stamps are in a new building. I wouldn't be surprised if they prioritize the construction of the arena ahead of the stadium, so if it's a minimum of 5 years before the Flames are in a new building, it will probably be longer for the Stamps. If the arena opens in the fall of 2020, the stadium likely won't open until the summer of 2021 or maybe even 2022.

So, even best case scenario, they'll still get 7 or 8 seasons of use from the new scoreboard. Then, once the new building is open, they can either move the scoreboard to the new building, or sell it to another facility that needs one.

I think all indications are one of the biggest reasons the timelines have been pushed back 2-4 years (depending on who you listen to) is that they have a least been considering a Mega Complex to house the entire organizations, Flames, Stamps, Hitmen, Roughnecks, Concerts, and the capability to add other field or arena sports in the long run if the opportunities make sense.

If that's what they are looking at then the 5 year timeline was probably for the entire complex, which makes more sense than just a hockey rink.

Just for example once the Financing was in place the construction on the Edmonton arena will have been less than 2 years from contract to completion.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by #-3

I think all indications are one of the biggest reasons the timelines have been pushed back 2-4 years (depending on who you listen to) is that they have a least been considering a Mega Complex to house the entire organizations, Flames, Stamps, Hitmen, Roughnecks, Concerts, and the capability to add other field or arena sports in the long run if the opportunities make sense.

If that's what they are looking at then the 5 year timeline was probably for the entire complex, which makes more sense than just a hockey rink.

Just for example once the Financing was in place the construction on the Edmonton arena will have been less than 2 years from contract to completion.

Oh yeah. Its going to be insane.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by #-3

I think all indications are one of the biggest reasons the timelines have been pushed back 2-4 years (depending on who you listen to) is that they have a least been considering a Mega Complex to house the entire organizations, Flames, Stamps, Hitmen, Roughnecks, Concerts, and the capability to add other field or arena sports in the long run if the opportunities make sense.

If that's what they are looking at then the 5 year timeline was probably for the entire complex, which makes more sense than just a hockey rink.

Just for example once the Financing was in place the construction on the Edmonton arena will have been less than 2 years from contract to completion.

I asked him the question during the week that the Oilers had their groundbreaking last year, and what I said was basically: "The Oilers are having the groundbreaking on their new arena this week, but we've been hearing their plans for the arena for many years. With the groundbreaking, it'll still be another two and a half years before they're playing in the new arena. So, based on all of that, what is the realistic timeline for when the Flames will be playing in their new building?"

His response was that if they called a press conference that afternoon to announce the plans, it would still likely be a minimum of five years before the building was open.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by getbak

I asked him the question during the week that the Oilers had their groundbreaking last year, and what I said was basically: "The Oilers are having the groundbreaking on their new arena this week, but we've been hearing their plans for the arena for many years. With the groundbreaking, it'll still be another two and a half years before they're playing in the new arena. So, based on all of that, what is the realistic timeline for when the Flames will be playing in their new building?"

His response was that if they called a press conference that afternoon to announce the plans, it would still likely be a minimum of five years before the building was open.

Yes, and what allot of us are thinking, is if 4-5 years from now is a realistic time line to have a new flames arena, 4-5 years may also a realistic time line for the stamps.

Assuming there is a good chance it will be in the same complex.

[Yeah_Baby]

How the hell did Sonic find the photo? This thread?

https://twitter.com/sonic1029/status/574710487293763586

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

How the hell did Sonic find the photo? This tread?

https://twitter.com/sonic1029/status/574710487293763586

http://davesgeekyideas.com/tag/arena/

As you know I’m a big Calgary Flames fan (I grew up in Calgary), so for fun I thought I’d put together this arena concept for the team, now that they’re in the process of replacing their 31-year-old Saddledome.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

http://davesgeekyideas.com/tag/arena/

I remember us seeing the concept in this thread a while back. Couldn't remember the context other than it being a what if.

Still wonder how a Edmonton radio station gets and thinks it's a good idea to tweet it.

Edit: CJAY tweeted it too...

[timun]

Originally Posted by Locke

McMahon operates under mostly the same principles as the Dome, the U of C own McMahon and the land but the Flames/Stamps lease and operate it.

Calgary Flames LP do not operate McMahon Stadium. They pay a lease, and the food services have been contracted out to them, but O&M and scheduling for all events is done by the McMahon Stadium Society on behalf of the U of C. The new scoreboard and other recent renos were paid for by the Stamps/Flames because the Stamps/Flames wanted it to happen, and either the Stamps/Flames paid for the renos directly or the University would pay for it by jacking up the rent by the same amount.

[Tyler]

[RM14]

indoor stadium.... noooooo!! I love McMahon in the summer/fall.

Spoiler!

[Cuz]

I would hope they would put on a retractable roof at least...

[Muta]

Originally Posted by RM14

indoor stadium.... noooooo!! I love McMahon in the summer/fall.

Spoiler!

That's a nice pic, but I've also been there when it's been stupidly cold and have had unbearably bad experiences.

A covered stadium would mean that another tenant would be a highly desired option for the facility (aside from the Stampeders). Given Calgary's climate, if they ever hoped to one day attract an MLS team, a covered stadium would be critical. Just my two cents.

[JBR]

Nothing better than a Stamps home game on a beautiful July/August night.

[Robbob]

So who is Richard White, or better yet is he credible?

[RM14]

Originally Posted by Muta

That's a nice pic, but I've also been there when it's been stupidly cold and have had unbearably bad experiences.

A covered stadium would mean that another tenant would be a highly desired option for the facility (aside from the Stampeders). Given Calgary's climate, if they ever hoped to one day attract an MLS team, a covered stadium would be critical. Just my two cents.

I hear ya. I've been to every Stamps playoff game the last 8 years & the Heritage Classic. It can be brutal.

I see that they need to have a roof to host an MLS team, big concerts any time of the year, and it would be kind of funny if Calgary stole the CFR from Edmonton to host it in the stadium (similar to Houston). And for this project to make sense it will need to fill more than 10 big event dates a year.

[Fischy13]

For what it's worth, a ticket sales guy called me because I had bought a few one off tickets from ticket master. He was trying to sell season tickets or at least game packs. I told him that I would probably consider season tickets likely once a new stadium was built. I asked specifically about indoor vs outdoor, not sure his knowledge or where he fit, but he told me the value of the nice summer evenings out weighed the few cold games and he believed it would be open with somewhat of an overhang roof above the seats.