Water up to row 10 at Saddledome. Dressing rooms submerged.

[Nittmo]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/t...-in-saskatoon/

[sureLoss]

[RedMileDJ]

^ that video breaks my heart, but also makes me feel good about the progress they're making.

I'm all for the Flames opening the season, if they have to, in Saskatoon. Better than some other city like Edmonton or Seattle. At least they'll be playing.

And think of how great the Saddledome will be after all the repairs and stuff! New equipment and video gear. By the time the new arena is built, we'll have 2 state-of-the-art (sorta) facilities for concerts, sports and such!

[Nittmo]

god bless those hard workers, and the best of luck to the electricians that are charged with the task of obtaining an occupancy permit for the saddledome

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Element55

And think of how great the Saddledome will be after all the repairs and stuff! New equipment and video gear. By the time the new arena is built, we'll have 2 state-of-the-art (sorta) facilities for concerts, sports and such!

I thought they were going to tear the dome down?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I thought they were going to tear the dome down?

They are, it will. I highly doubt the Flames go with all new state of the art stuff when repairing the electronic guts of the Saddledome. It won't be there long, not worth it.

[Southside]

Perhaps both arenas can stay operational long enough for a winter Olympics bid?? I had heard before that most of the other 88 venues could be brought up to current standards without too much trouble if we were to host within the next 20 years or so. Longer than that and not likely.

[Resolute 14]

You wouldn't need the Saddledome for a Winter Olympic bid. But a complete renovation of the Corral would go a long way. Especially since it could be made into a better arena for concerts too.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Southside

Perhaps both arenas can stay operational long enough for a winter Olympics bid?? I had heard before that most of the other 88 venues could be brought up to current standards without too much trouble if we were to host within the next 20 years or so. Longer than that and not likely.

lolol

I'm hoping we get more regular, concrete updates on the state of the Dome than of the new building. Otherwise we'll be wondering where we're playing for the next 4-6 years.

[REDVAN]

AT least we'll have some nice facilities until the new building comes along- so maybe this delays the new building a couple years....

[flamesfan1297]

i doubt this will delay the new delay much, if any. i bet they will do a quick fix and try and get a new arena within four years

[t0rrent98]

After walking around the stampede grounds yesterday, I noticed that there was a new building being made. At first, I didn't realize what it was and thought oh wow is that the new arena, it looks pretty decent... than was told it was the agricultural building...

[Nittmo]

Has any one heard any new estimates on when they expect to get an occupancy permit and re-open the building to the public? Are they waiting for the Stampede to end before an announcement is made?

[Laner99]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

After walking around the stampede grounds yesterday, I noticed that there was a new building being made. At first, I didn't realize what it was and thought oh wow is that the new arena, it looks pretty decent... than was told it was the agricultural building...

Agriculture Building, last yr I called that building the "taking up even more parking space that already doesn't exist at Flames games building". Agriculture building is shorter though.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

You wouldn't need the Saddledome for a Winter Olympic bid. But a complete renovation of the Corral would go a long way. Especially since it could be made into a better arena for concerts too.

You need arenas for

Hockey 1
Hockey 2
Figure Skating
Short Track speed skating - often combined with Figure Skating
Curling

[bluejays]

Just curious, has there ever been a natural disaster or other event which has closed down a stadium for a period before (aside from New Orleans). Has San Frans baseball stadium ever been affected by something like a earthquake?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by fleury

Just curious, has there ever been a natural disaster or other event which has closed down a stadium for a period before (aside from New Orleans). Has San Frans baseball stadium ever been affected by something like a earthquake?

The 1989 quake did interrupt the World Series (Oakland-San Fran), but I recall they resumed a couple weeks later, so the facility itself was not significantly damaged as I can recall.

Nashville's rink was closed for several weeks due to a flood a few years ago. Fires are undoubtedly the most common disaster; The home rink of the Montreal Canadiens and Wanderers burned down in the NHL's first season. The Habs moved to a smaller rink while the Wanderers simply folded.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Burner

You need arenas for

Hockey 1
Hockey 2
Figure Skating
Short Track speed skating - often combined with Figure Skating
Curling

Certainly. And in 1988, Hockey was played at the Dome, Corral and FDB. Figure skating was the Dome and FDB. Short track and curling were held at Max Bell. It would be more complicated since there are more events in all of those competitions, save figure skating.

The problem, however, is that it would probably be 2026 before the IOC would seriously consider another Canadian bid. I can't see the city hanging onto an obsolete arena until then in the hope that we might get another OGs. The money spent maintaining an empty Dome would be better utilized renovating existing facilities in that case.

Hypothetically:
Hockey (men): New arena, renovated Corral, FDB
Hockey (women): Most games at FDB/Corral; medal round at new arena
Figure skating: New arena, renovated Corral
Curling: COP
Short track: Max Bell

[JD]

I think Winsport would play a pretty significant role in any future Olympics. I doubt FDB would even be considered anymore.

[Resolute 14]

My theory on curling at Winsport is that it is the largest left over venue for what would be a popular event here. The bigger hockey games would be at the new rink and the Corral, and FDB could handle the lower interest hockey games, particularly in the women's tournament. International sized ice, seats 2000+.