The Saddledome is my favourite arena to watch a hockey game. I’m biased of course, as it is the arena with the most Flames fans, and the arena I have watched the most hockey in. But besides that, the Saddledome has many other charms. The reverse hyperbolic paraboloid roof makes the seating bowl seem smaller that in actually is; cozy one could even say. In other arenas with a standard flat roof, the seating bowl seems cavernous and empty. It’s weird to be sitting in the 300 level of the Staples Center and being able to see everybody else in the 300 level. In addition to the ‘intimate’ feeling of the seating bowl, the Saddledome has good access to public transit compared to many arenas, and its’ location is very central, with quick access to 17th Avenue and Downtown. Of course the Dome has its’ share of flaws as well.
The problems with the Dome include narrow and congested concourses, poorly designed washroom facilities and a lack of elevators and escalators, leading to accessibility issues. For the average fan, these problems translate into some decisions to be made at events. Most people know of the intermission dilemma at the Dome; does one go to the bathroom or get another beer, as it is very difficult to do both without missing any hockey. Washroom lines at the Dome are ridiculously long and can make for some very anxious queues. Built in 1983, the Saddledome will be the fifth oldest arena in the NHL; after Pittsburgh moves into its’ new digs next year. Sooner or later it will need to be replaced.
The question that now arises is whether or not there should be any public funding. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has said the province will not contribute any funds to a new arena in either Edmonton or Calgary. This is often a heated debate as to whether or not a government should be funding an arena. Those against public funding wonder why the taxpayers would pay for an arena for ‘millionaire athletes’ when the majority of people either won’t use the facility or aren’t interested in the product. After all, Calgary has almost 1.1 million people, but the Dome’s capacity is a mere 20,000.
The benefits of having a modern arena in a city are many. While there may be little financial benefit for the taxpayers, the benefits to the community are too many to list. Having teams like the Flames, Hitmen and Roughnecks, concerts, and shows, provides the people of Calgary with a gathering place to share in cultural activities. Yes, the Saddledome is a cultural institution, not unlike the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Zoo, or the Jubilee Auditorium, all of which were built with public funds. In fact, the Jubilee’s most recent renovation cost $91 million, a large part of which was paid for by the taxpayers. Money going to the Saddledome or a new arena is no different than money going to the Jubilee. In fact, it may be more fitting, as the Saddledome is used by far more Calgarians than the Jubilee. But like these ‘artistic’ institutions, the Saddledome also needs to be upgraded to ensure that Calgarians have a first class facility for watching music concerts and sporting events.
The role of the taxpayer in a city like Calgary is vital to the construction of such a facility. With only 1.1 million people, Calgary simply isn’t large enough to make it viable for a private, for-profit company to build an arena for 20,000. They would be unable to make their money back, or at the very least it would take far too long to make it worthwhile. The current facilities the city has have all been built with public funds. This includes the Saddledome, the Corral, McMahon Stadium, and Canada Olympic Park. Without financing from the taxpayers, none of these facilities would exist and I think Calgary would be the worse for it.
Now that the Saddledome is ageing, the time has come, or will come very shortly, for the city to invest in a new arena. The Flames are interested in a new facility, and I don’t feel it is unreasonable to expect the taxpayer to help out. It does not need to be an entirely public funded arena, but all three levels of government, Municipal, Provincial and Federal, can chip in for some of the costs.
- TheRev
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