Flames STH Meeting: Lunch Session

[Toonage]

Not sure about Kessler, but I'm pretty sure Bieksa didn't want any more of Bennett

[dustygoon]

I always thought it's better to let someone else draft and develop goalies for you. Then you steal them in trade or free agency (kipper, Martin jones). But looking around the league, all the top goalies are playing for the team that drafted them. And teams that didn't draft a good goalie are spinning their wheels trying to find one.

[Robbob]

Bennett did go after Kesler a bunch of times and Kesler did back off. I think there is something to it. Angry Sam is a good Sam. There definitely is some exaggerating, but it shows why they like him so much. As a 20 year old starting to have that impact.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

I really like the part about a steeper bowl bringing fans closer to the action, seems like a throwback idea. It'll make the C of Red even more intimidating come playoff time

The second level in the new Edmonton rink is waaaaaaaayyyyy too steep. It's awful. Really hard to navigate - especially after a few $12 beers.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Yes, but remember, according to Brett Wilson the City and the Mayor are "doddling".

According to Brett Wilson the city spending $1,000,000,000.00+ of taxpayer money on a venue for a private enterprise is an act of charity by said enterprise.

Brett Wilson is a bit of a tool.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Parallex

According to Brett Wilson the city spending $1,000,000,000.00+ of taxpayer money on a venue for a private enterprise is an act of charity by said enterprise.

Brett Wilson is a bit of a tool.

But it's found money!

It's already paid for!

[btimbit]

Could the city speed things up, sure. But you want to talk about dawdling, how long did we hear about these awesome plans for a new arena? For years and years all we heard from King was "it's close, it's going to be awesome, it's almost ready" then they unveil an idea that looked half finished and wasn't feasible. Don't bitch to me about dawdling

[Tyler]

Here's the rub.

Ken King had a decade to ask the City one question:

"Will you be supportive of an arena if we build it here (West Village) or here (Stampede Grounds)?

The simple fact that that in itself took a decade is absolutely ridiculous

[mac_82]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Could the city speed things up, sure. But you want to talk about dawdling, how long did we hear about these awesome plans for a new arena? For years and years all we heard from King was "it's close, it's going to be awesome, it's almost ready" then they unveil an idea that looked half finished and wasn't feasible. Don't bitch to me about dawdling

At one point I believe it was mentioned that the Flames new rink would be done before Edmonton

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by mac_82

At one point I believe it was mentioned that the Flames new rink would be done before Edmonton

Wasn't it also mentioned that it would be 100% privately funded? This team can't change ownership soon enough IMO

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by mac_82

At one point I believe it was mentioned that the Flames new rink would be done before Edmonton

Then they started saying they were working together with edmonton, and then they started saying they were working with edmonton but wanted them to go first.

This was all around 2012 or so.

King has literally been saying there will be a new arena announcement months away for close to 10 years now. Prior to the 2013 election the reason for delays from the Flames was they wanted to wait until the municipal election was over before announcing. Of course, an entire municipal term has come and gone with no new stadium.

From season's ticket luncheon in 2012:

• Ken mentioned that arena news will be coming in the next few months – which has been said at the last few sessions – but that nothing was set in stone right now. Mentioned they had looked at drawings of a football stadium and arena in the same vicinity in a certain spot (undisclosed) in Calgary but it was nothing too serious. He got asked about adding an MLB team to Calgary, and the stadium in the area, and he pretty much shot it down.
• Ken said the Flames joining with the other teams in the city is great for business and only makes sense. I can’t remember exactly the words he used as I didn’t hear them clearly, but I basically took it as having people the same stuff on the business side for all teams instead of each team having their own is just efficient. Someone please correct this if I’m wrong.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ng#post3727355

Here is king talking to season ticket holders in 2007 about the new arena:

New Building:

Site: Current Big Four Building's site is the front runner and most likely home of the new building.

Estimated Timeline: 5 years from the day they have firm plans in place. i.e. about 7 years from now in real timeline, 'Dome lease is up 2014, and they could renew, but obviously would like to move by then.

Seating: will have more luxury suites to alleviate the lengthy waiting list for suites. Cheap seats will still be there, just don't expect them to be at today's prices. (amazingly some people actually expect the Flames would be immune to inflation and increased cost from building the new arena.)

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ena#post902634

[Roof-Daddy]

So glad this thread devolved into another arena discussion thread. Can't get enough of that riveting discussion, especially for those of us outside Calgary who rarely go to games.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So glad this thread devolved into another arena discussion thread. Can't get enough of that riveting discussion, especially for those of us outside Calgary who rarely go to games.

It's somewhat relevant in this thread. Especially with Ken King directly answering questions.

[icecube]

Ken King is a clown. No arena. Crappy jerseys. What does he do all day, sit around and eat sandwiches and watch soap operas?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

It's somewhat relevant in this thread. Especially with Ken King directly answering questions.

I know it's relevant (was brought up in OP). Doesn't make it any less irritating when I click on the thread hoping to read discussion on any of the other 50 things brought up in the OP that don't involve a boring, never ending circular discussion that has been going on for 5-10 years now.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I know it's relevant (was brought up in OP). Doesn't make it any less irritating when I click on the thread hoping to read discussion on any of the other 50 things brought up in the OP that don't involve a boring, never ending circular discussion that has been going on for 5-10 years now.

What would you like to know?

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Locke

So....the City is doing all of the planning?

The City recommended the site as an alternative and the City has come up with a plan and is submitting it to the council?

Seems a little one sided, no?

Not sure if anyone responded but as my day job, I deal with this quite a bit.

The Flames hire architects and planners to provide proposals to City Administration (city planners) to ensure that the development meets land use policy and fits within the vision of the city. It's very common for City Administration to make recommendations and the developer has to generally adhere or negotiate in order to obtain approval.

Once Administration approves it, it goes to council with the intent that it meets all land use requirements and council has the final say of whether they will approve it or reject it. This is where politics plays a pretty big role.

Being part of the process, it is a bit one sided but you gotta get things approved to build.

[Robbob]

I think they mentioned that they have been going back and forth for weeks and the city admin was to take to council last night. Whether that happened last night or got pushed till later I am not sure.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Wasn't it also mentioned that it would be 100% privately funded? This team can't change ownership soon enough IMO

Probably not, but why not throw it out there, right?

If not, what kind of owner would you prefer? Maybe you could at least set up a meeting. Or just buy it yourself and fund a 600 million building that you will never recoup cost from.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Probably not, but why not throw it out there, right?

If not, what kind of owner would you prefer? Maybe you could at least set up a meeting. Or just buy it yourself and fund a 600 million building that you will never recoup cost from.

K I'm on it