The Benefits of the Olympic Saddledome

The Stampede Coral with a capacity of 8700, when built in 1950, was the largest arena west of Toronto. In 1980. With Canadian entrepreneur Nelson Skalbania purchase of the Atlantic Flames and moving the franchise to Calgary a new stadium was required to meet major league standards. Along with Calgary’s bid on the 1988 Winter Olympics and the construction underway of the new stadium for the Calgary Flames.  Having a reverse parabolic shape resembling a saddle it became the Olympic Saddledome. The high-tech stadium since then has attracted and entertained many visitors to our city.

Over the years the Saddledome has hosted many hockey games including the 1988 Winter Olympics, The Calgary Stampede, concert venues, and many agricultural and other public events. Many people have benefited and enjoyed the many events that have been hosted at the now sponsored renamed Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Saddledome has provided entertainment, socializing, and financial benefits to the citizens of Calgary and without it we would not have had a NHL team, and the many concerts and events that we have enjoyed over the years.

Now that Calgary has grown, there is talk of the need of a new stadium to attract better and larger venues benefitting Calgarians even more. The idea of replacing the Saddledome with the new stadium would be a great injustice to a historic structure that has helped shape Calgary. Preserving the Saddledome, as previously done with the Stampede Coral, for the many events that do not require a larger stadium will continue to benefit Calgarians for years to come. With the new stadium built elsewhere, we would have the room to host even more venues for additional gain to the city.

The saddle shape is an iconic reflection of what Calgary is all about, the wild west and innovation, and eliminating it I feel would be a scar on Calgary’s image. If we were to be hosting a second Olympic Winter Games the Saddledome would also be useful for many of those events. Recently renovated, after the devastating 2013 Calgary floods, the Saddledome will hopefully continue to be beneficial to Calgarians with sports, activities, events, and concerts for years to come.

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