Long-term the Stampede is looking at doing something with the Big Four building. If I'm them, perhaps you build that in as your smaller concert venue?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jayswin
The biggest problem is they suck up the 3500-5000k concerts with a 2700 capacity.
The Stampede already did a bunch of work on the Big Four to try and make it a better concert venue (with a ~4000 person capacity), but they only really use it as such for the Stampede.
The pillars don't make it a great venue, but I've been in worse. Must be easier to make money with the various events and small trade shows they have that aren't big enough for BMO.
I know that the anti-event centre crowd always say that we don’t miss too many concerts…
I’m looking forward to not having to drive up to Edmonton
I’m not a huge fan of local singer Tate McRae, but it’s ironic that she’s playing 6 cities in Canada (including Winnipeg!) and skipping Calgary. Incidentally, her world tour schedule is pretty awesome - I did not realize she is as popular as she is.
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The Stampede already did a bunch of work on the Big Four to try and make it a better concert venue (with a ~4000 person capacity), but they only really use it as such for the Stampede.
The pillars don't make it a great venue, but I've been in worse. Must be easier to make money with the various events and small trade shows they have that aren't big enough for BMO.
My guess is by the time Scotia Place opens they'll have an idea of what operational gaps they have - in terms of what events don't really fit in BMO or Scotia Place - and then try to figure out how to maximize the space available with whatever they do with the Big Four.
Are there any decent construction progress updates/photos that anyone is aware of for us out of town construction nerds?
As a general rule sky scrapers and arenas look very uninteresting to the untrained eye for the first few months as they do tons of prep work and fill in underground.
Currently working below grade. Setting up forms and pouring concrete for event level structures. Expectation is they'll be finishing up two below-grade floors around the fall and start creeping above grade. Potentially structural steel starting to set up above ground before end of 2025.
Man, I got to get out and go to the Dome at least once in my lifetime and I am running out of time. I have to figure it out somehow. I feel like I am letting myself down as a fan since 86 of not experiencing it at least once. I need to know what this heroin beer thing is too. Maybe just maybe I can figure it out this year.
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Man, I got to get out and go to the Dome at least once in my lifetime and I am running out of time. I have to figure it out somehow. I feel like I am letting myself down as a fan since 86 of not experiencing it at least once. I need to know what this heroin beer thing is too. Maybe just maybe I can figure it out this year.
The first step is the hardest. Let me take that one for you:
Man, I got to get out and go to the Dome at least once in my lifetime and I am running out of time. I have to figure it out somehow. I feel like I am letting myself down as a fan since 86 of not experiencing it at least once. I need to know what this heroin beer thing is too. Maybe just maybe I can figure it out this year.
It’s kind of an ideal time, resale prices have been good lately.
I recommend looking ahead to an “undesirable” game. For example, Buffalo on December 8, looks like flights around $120 from Toronto (I think you’re around there?) and you can probably snag great seats the day of or just before for less than $150 (and less than $100 for average seats). My friends and I sat lower bowl at the attacking end last season for $60 each.
The Dome is an experience. People crap on it but I think it’s a gem and definitely worth experiencing at least once. Dome Foam will run you like $13 for a cup but they actually have an amazing happy hour deal for an hour or so before the game (get there 1.5 hours early). Two beers and a burger will only run you $18 (and it’s a good burger).
Stay at a crappy hotel for $80 and uber over or take the train if you’re on the line. All in you could do it for $300-350 if you don’t care who they play and don’t care about staying somewhere nice.
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I love the saddledome and will miss it dearly.
It is 100% worth taking a trip to see it. Watching weekday games where we battle for 17th or 18th in the league is the full flavored experience.
I would also recommend getting there very early and take advantage of the happy hour deals.
Are there any decent construction progress updates/photos that anyone is aware of for us out of town construction nerds?
Here's a link to Skyrise Cities; this thread is covering this project, so you can see new and recent construction photos here (scroll to the last pages in the thread):
Man, I got to get out and go to the Dome at least once in my lifetime and I am running out of time. I have to figure it out somehow. I feel like I am letting myself down as a fan since 86 of not experiencing it at least once. I need to know what this heroin beer thing is too. Maybe just maybe I can figure it out this year.
Having been to a few arenas around the league I will say, the done doesn't really stand up to the futuristic and well planned out modern arenas. But like your favourite sweater, there is something so cozy and comforting about the dome that I feel is lost in most other arenas.
Though, unfortunately for you after the flood in 2013 Dome foam can't claim that heroin been moniker any more. Historically, the dome never cleaned the keg lines which went from the keg room up to all the concession booths. This process lead to a phenomenon where the higher/further away you got from the keg room the higher the CO2 pressure on the beer was. This would cause the beer to feel bubblier, and had an increased perceived strength than a normal "Bud Beer". After the flood they had to replace the entire system as it got filled with mud. In doing so, the beer lost a lot of its pep, additionally, they switched up their beer sponsorship to go with Original 16 over Budweiser which further removed us from the glory days of dome foam and heroin beer.
Also, as for cheap tickets, check the app Gametime. You can usually find tickets against the Blues, Preds, Hawks, or Ducks for like $7USD plus fees (something like $15 CAD all in) in the nosebleeds (best spot in my opinion to watch the game) once the season starts.
Last edited by FleeceGang; 08-11-2025 at 12:15 PM.
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