The Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League have come to an agreement with the city of Calgary to build a $550 million complex to be built in Victoria Park. The new arena, which could be open in time for the 2024-25 National Hockey League regular season, is very close to the existing Scotiabank Saddledome. The construction is set to begin sometime during 2021.
Under the new agreement which was approved on Tuesday, the city of Calgary and the Calgary Flames will each contribute $275 million to the project. The Scotiabank Saddledome has been the home of the Flames since 1983.
Now the major question will be what kind of an arrangement will the city of Calgary develop with the Flames ownership group regarding the Calgary Stampeders. The Flames own the Stampeders, which have called McMahon Stadium home since 1960. In fact one could make the strong argument that the Stampeders needed a new complex in Calgary significantly more than the Flames did.
As one who is sitting on the fence in terms of opinion on whether or not this new arena needed to be built, I do agree with Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi who stated “Let’s be real. The timing stinks.” Nenshi was referring to the $60 million in budget cuts last week.
