The way I read it, the NHL owners are almost demanding that Calgary, the Flames, and the province fork out a huge amount of money (probably around $750 million dollars) to build this thing like the one in Edmonton, which is under construction as we speak. I think that's ridiculous!
The Scotiabank Saddledome is older than almost all the other NHL buildings, so I guess they want it demolished and a new arena built somewhere else.
But the 'Dome just had a major multi-million dollar facelift, thanks to last year's flood damage! It's seating capacity is about equal to all other NHL arenas! True there is only 6 000 seats in the lower bowl and other arenas have 9 000 or more seats there. But who will benefit the most from having those extra 3000+ seats in the lower bowl?
I don't think the Saddledome is an embarassment to Calgary! If the Flames think it is, then they should gather a few of the NHL Billionaires and Millionaires together and pass the hat! Those folks have the bucks; Alberta's taxpayers do not!
If the City of Calgary wants to contribute to building a new "NHL Palace" in their city, that's their business! I pay taxes in Alberta, and I'm saying the province should put its chequebook away on this one! Just because they threw a bunch of money at Edmonton's new arena, doesn't mean they should do the same in Calgary!
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