Athletes embrace stadium vision
Stampeders QB lauds ‘ innovative’ venue proposal
Right now, it’s just a pitch.
But to Bo Levi Mitchell and Johnny Gaudreau, the idea of a new world- class stadium, arena and practice facilities — the CalgaryNEXT vision finally shared by Ken King and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. on Tuesday, which has been about a decade in the making — sounds like it’s something worth looking into.
It was announced Tuesday that the estimated $ 890- million project would feature fully integrated facilities in a “revitalized West Village” near the Bow River. In essence, a one- stop shop for fans of the National Hockey League, Canadian Football League, Western Hockey League, National Lacrosse League, amateur sports and, in general, residents of the city.
“I’m very excited for it,” Calgary Stampeders quarterback Mitchell said Tuesday. “Our organizations
Our organizations already work hand in hand. We do so much together that it only makes sense to have a stadium together.
already work hand in hand. We do so much together that it only makes sense to have a stadium together. It’s going to be a new innovative idea. A great idea.
“It’s going to really take over the city, visually. I think it’s going to be pretty cool every time you drive by it or drive into Calgary ... I’m sure it’ll grab the attention of a couple Grey Cups, too, as far as a venue.”
However, in with the new means out with the old. And perhaps it’s about time. Built in 1983, the Scotiabank Saddledome has been an iconic feature in the city. But in recent years, it’s become increasingly clear that the National Hockey League facility has passed its prime. Along with New York’s Madison Square Garden, it is soon to become one of the oldest facilities in the league. Ditto for McMahon Stadium. Constructed in 1960, it is set to become the second- oldest Canadian Football League stadium when the Saskatchewan Roughriders open their new building ( a projected date of 2017).
King estimated a three- year construction process for the Calgary project. But he acknowledged he’d “be happy” if they had a ribboncutting ceremony in five years.
Which means that if the project broke ground tomorrow, Mitchell would be 30 by the time the new stadium- to- be- named- later was opened and in full operation. Gaudreau, one of the up- and- coming stars of the Calgary Flames, would be 27.
Read: IF the project broke ground tomorrow.
“Obviously, players like playing in new and high- tech arenas,” Gaudreau said Tuesday. “But, to me, the Saddledome has a lot of history and it's kind of cool to play in an arena like that, too. I got to play in the Saddledome and it was a great year last year.”
King pointed out how professional sports can be a community catalyst. He singled out arena concepts of Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Minneapolis and Los Angeles that are or will be communityoriented areas surrounded by restaurants, shops and condos.
From a hockey perspective, the CalgaryNEXT project will feature an NHL- sized arena/ event centre, which would seat between 19,000 and 20,000 people ( around the same size as the Saddledome). It would also be suitable for lacrosse games and cultural and community events.
The shape of the arena's roof was not revealed Tuesday, but King noted: “We're not going to build the son or daughter of the Saddledome. We're not going to clone it.”
From a football perspective, the multi- sport field house would feature a CFL- sized field with retractable seats, a FIFA- sized soccer pitch, track and field areas, and basketball/ volleyball courts.
The CFL field would have a seating capacity of 30,000. It would also have a fixed roof instead of a retractable roof ( which would have added $ 150- million to the price tag).
That's an appealing concept to Mitchell. The Texan has played through the elements — especially in October and during the CFL playoffs in November — and said the weather also detracts some Stampeders supporters.
“I would like to see it that way,” Mitchell said. “I see so many fans out in public ... and they always tell me, ‘ I want to come to your games but I have kids and they just can't handle that cold weather or snow.'
“You do start to lose ( some fans) when it comes to those late- season games. We have our fans that are dedicated that are going to be there no matter what. But I think you can push for a little more attendance and make them really strong crowds if it's covered.”
As for the current stadium, King said it fails to conform to the basic requirements.
“We need to get with the times,” he said.
King says making this an integrated facility saves $ 330 million on the final price tag.
“We need to find the money,” he said. “We need to create a sufficiently compelling case that all Calgarians and southern Albertans will look at this and say, ‘ You know what, this is something we should have.'”