Scotiabank Saddledome

Did You Know?

• The Saddledome was the first arena in North America designed to accommodate the larger international ice surface.
• The Saddledome Foundation is a non-profit organization that oversees the arena's operation, with a board of nine directors.
• The arena's roof is shaped like a horse saddle, giving it the name Saddledome.

Construction

Calgary had used the Stampede Corral for 30 years when the Flames arrived from Atlanta in 1980. With a capacity of 8,700, the Corral had fallen below NHL standards by the 1970s, contributing to the folding of the WHA's Calgary Cowboys. The need for a new arena was driven by Calgary's bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics and the Flames' arrival. City Council debated several locations, narrowing choices to two areas in Victoria Park, with other sites considered including west downtown and Airdrie. The Victoria Park Community Association opposed the arena, threatening to fight the Olympic bid. On March 3, 1981, Council voted to build a 20,000-seat arena on Stampede grounds, east of the Corral. Community opposition caused costly delays. Mayor Ralph Klein asked the provincial government in July 1981 to take over the land to bypass appeals. The province overruled planning regulations, and construction began on July 29, 1981. The International Olympic Committee noted that the project being underway added credibility to Calgary's bid.

History

The arena was initially projected to cost $60 million, later revised to over $80 million, with a final cost of $97.7 million due to a $16 million cost overrun and an eight-month delay. Roof construction faced delays fitting concrete slabs between cables. Opposition politicians demanded a public hearing; the city blamed the project manager, and the city and province paid the extra costs. Opening on October 15, 1983, the Olympic Saddledome boosted morale during an economic downturn. At the first event, a Flames-Oilers game, the standard of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was booed; the Oilers won 4–3 before nearly 17,000 fans. Initial hockey capacity was 16,605 as upper loges were incomplete. Before the Olympics, $1 million was spent to add over 2,600 seats, bringing capacity to 20,016, making it the largest arena used at a Winter Games. The IIHF called it the finest international rink. Highest capacity reached 20,240 in the early 1990s.

Events

The Saddledome has hosted the 1985 NHL All-Star Game and the 2000 NHL entry draft. The Flames played three Stanley Cup Finals series there: 1986, 1989, and 2004. It is home to the Calgary Hitmen, who won the President's Cup in 1999 before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. The Hitmen hold WHL records for overall attendance and single-game attendance. The arena hosts the Crowchild Classic; the 2026 men's game set a USports attendance record of 13,324. The Calgary Roughnecks play there and hosted the 2005 NLL All-Star Game and four NLL Champion's Cup games (2004, 2009, 2014, 2019), winning all but 2014 on home floor. It was a venue for the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The Moody Blues, with Stevie Ray Vaughan opening, were the first musical act in November 1983; Rod Stewart has performed there 11 times. The roof cannot support heavy rigs used by some modern tours, causing some acts to bypass Calgary.

Replacement

The Saddledome is among the oldest NHL arenas and the oldest among Canadian franchises. Only Madison Square Garden and Climate Pledge Arena are older, but both underwent major renovations. Flames president Ken King said in 2008 that a new arena was five to eight years away, with expectations for completion by the lease expiry in 2014, but no plans materialized. Chairman Murray Edwards argues the facility's ability to host major events is increasingly limited. Sports analysts note newer arenas generate more revenue. Any new arena is expected on Stampede Grounds or elsewhere downtown. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has lobbied for government support, but Mayor Naheed Nenshi and alderman John Mar opposed using taxpayer money. King stated the Flames have concepts but are not ready to release them. Some plans for Stampede Park include lowering the C-train line below ground into a new facility. In 2015, Calgary Sports and Entertainment proposed CalgaryNEXT, a complex with a new arena and football stadium, but city council rejected it in 2017, instead supporting a new arena on a parking lot adjacent to the Saddledome.