Calgary Flames Move Closer to New Arena with Agreement Reach
The Calgary Flames have taken a step forward in their quest for a new arena. The City of Calgary, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), the Province of Alberta and the Calgary Stampede have reached agreements to proceed with the construction of an events center, which will form part of a culture and entertainment area in the city’s Rivers District. The announcement was made at Victoria Park, just north of the Scotiabank Saddledome, where the new arena is proposed to be built.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised the agreement in a statement, thanking all those involved in the efforts to reach this point. However, there is currently no set deadline for completion of the events center and surrounding Rivers District, which is estimated to cost over $1.2 billion. The events center itself is projected to cost $800 million and will house numerous CSEC properties, including the Flames, Calgary Wranglers, Calgary Hitmen and Calgary Roughnecks.
CSEC has committed $356 million to the project, with the city providing $537.3 million, and the province offering $330 million. The Calgary Stampede has also agreed to certain land sales and transfers to facilitate the development. Once completed, the events center will replace the Scotiabank Saddledome, which has been occupied by the Flames since 1983.
The Flames and City of Calgary had previously agreed on a new arena in 2019. However, the plans were subsequently abandoned in 2021 because of escalating costs, inflation concerns and other risks associated with additional infrastructure and climate costs. Talks resumed between the parties in 2022 after the city council voted to recruit a third party to bring everyone back to the negotiating table.
CSEC president and CEO John Bean expressed his delight with the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone for the Flames, the team’s other sports franchises and the city. Despite no timelines being set for completion, the agreement is a positive step towards a new state-of-the-art arena in one of Calgary’s most vibrant districts.
Keywords: Calgary Flames, new arena, CSEC, Province of Alberta, Calgary Stampede, events center, Rivers District, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Calgary Wranglers, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Roughnecks, Scotiabank Saddledome, new home, city council, significant milestone, state-of-the-art arena.
