I’d would love to see it kept but understand why it would need to be demolished. Too much money for a city of Calgary’s size to have to buildings of that size operating. Demolition is the best solution even though it’s sad to see such a unique building go.
My choice would be for it to be picked up by a huge helicopter on multiple cable, then flown to Edmonton and dropped on Rogers Center from a height of about 1000 meters when Donald Trump and his entourage are holding a convention in the sweatpants and good shoes capital of Canada.
Hope nobody gets hurt though...
Just a thought...
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I wonder what the cost to operate is vs. the Corral. One of them is definitely going to go, but if the cost to demolish and the differential in operating cost vs. the Corral works in the Saddledome's favour, I could see it being re-purposed.
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I wonder what the cost to operate is vs. the Corral. One of them is definitely going to go, but if the cost to demolish and the differential in operating cost vs. the Corral works in the Saddledome's favour, I could see it being re-purposed.
The Corral will be long gone before the new building is even started. The BMO Centre expansion requires the Corral to be demolished. It might survive to see next year's Stampede, but will certainly be gone by 2021.
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Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
The loss of the Corral is also unfortunate. The big, iconic neon buckaroo on a horse is a childhood memory. The place had its own patina with its concourse photos and wooden seats.
It costs sooooo much to keep a structure like the Saddledome upright under the best of circumstances.
The new building is going to be what, less than 500 yards away, give or take? No sense having a gigantic 20,000 seat venue sit abandoned and siphon resources a la the Big O.
I'd like to be there the day they blow it up, that's going to be a sight to behold.
Something like an indoor water park would be fantastic.
However, knowing that there are uncorrectable structural issues, I can’t see it surviving long. If Calgary gets the 2030 olympics, or something like that, it might last until after that event. Other than that it’ll be gone.
I'd keep the outer structure but demo the inside and rebuild as three full floors.
Top floor: indoor garden. Replace roof with glass. Family friendly.
Second floor: micro restaurants, micro watering holes. Make a bunch of restaurants/lounges that only have seating for 7-15 people. Rent each space out to a different chef, mixologist, or craft Brewer that doesn't have the experience or money to start their own full scale establishment. Create a labrynth of pathways for to get around so it's adventurous for patrons to get around. Each venue has its own vibe, decor, music, etc. Adult only.
First floor: a day and night club called the beach. Fake sunlight. Cabanas. Lounge chairs. Sand. Pool. DJ. Bottle service. Food service. Bars. Beach volley ball courts. Lazy river. Etc. Adult only.
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