Scotiabank Saddledome
Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Located in Stampede Park in the southeast end of downtown Calgary, the Saddledome was built in 1983 to replace the Stampede Corral as the home of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League, and to host ice hockey and figure skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Not to be confused with Scotiabank Arena or Scotiabank Centre.Former names
Olympic Saddledome (1983–95)
Canadian Airlines Saddledome (1995–2000)
Pengrowth Saddledome (2000–10)
555 Saddledome Rise SE
City of Calgary
- Saddledome Foundation
- Calgary Sports and Entertainment
19,289
- 20,240 (1988–95)
474,000 sq ft (44,000 m2)
July 29, 1981[1]
October 15, 1983
1994
Graham McCourt Architects
Jan Bobrowski and Partners Ltd.[2]
Vinto Engineering Ltd.[3]
CANA Construction Co. Ltd.[4]
SE Johnson[5]
The facility also hosts concerts, conferences and other sporting championships, and events for the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. It underwent a major renovation in 1994–95 and sold its naming rights, during which its original name of Olympic Saddledome was changed to Canadian Airlines Saddledome. The facility was given the name Pengrowth Saddledome in 2000, after Pengrowth Management Ltd. signed a ten-year agreement. It adopted its current name in October 2010 as Scotiabank signed on as title sponsor.
The Saddledome is owned by the City of Calgary, who leases it to the Saddledome Foundation, a non-profit organization, to oversee its operation. Since 1996, it has been managed by the Flames. The Saddledome was damaged during the 2013 Alberta floods in June and July that year,[7][8] but was repaired and reopened in time for the 2013–14 NHL season.
The arena's roof is shaped like a horse saddle, thus earning the name "Saddledome".
Amenities[edit]
The Saddledome seats 19,289 for hockey and lacrosse, with different capacities for other events depending on the arena's configuration.[66] It has 72 luxury suites,[19] 41 of which were constructed at the top of the lower bowl in 1995 and 31 were constructed at the top of the second level when the facility was built.[35] There are also six party suites on the corners of the upper loges that are rented on an event by event basis.[67] Sections 115 through 122 of the lower bowl form The Club and offers in-seat concession service at Flames games.[68][69] This was later expanded to the remainder of the lower bowl during Flames, Hitmen and Roughnecks games via the Saddledome Live app.
The Club features a private dining room available during Flames games, large concerts and private events.[70] Dutton's Canadian Lounge is a sports bar located at the west entrance to the building.[71] There are three additional restaurants within the facility: The Saddleroom Grill, the Alumni Lounge and the King Club.[70] The Iconic Platinum Club is a 188-seat executive club accessible with a purchased membership. It features a private bar and restaurant as well as a fully functional business centre.[72]
Saddledome Foundation[edit]
The City of Calgary established the Saddledome Foundation in 1983 and leased the arena for 50-years to the non-profit organization. Its mandate was to "oversee the operation in a manner that protects taxpayers and benefits amateur sports at the local, provincial and national level".[37] The foundation is made up of a board of nine directors: three appointed by the city, three appointed by the province, and one each appointed by the Calgary Olympic Development Association (now WinSport Canada), Hockey Canada and the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.[73] The foundation contracted the Stampede to manage the arena, and through its lease agreements with the Stampede and the Flames, earned 15% of gross concession sales, 50% of net income from luxury suites and executive seating and investment income on the arena's revenues.[37] The Flames signed a 20-year lease in 1983 that earned them 70% of advertising revenues and 90% of ticket revenues. The Stampede earned 85% of concession revenues and all revenue from parking.[37]
As part of the 1994 deal with the city, the Flames bought out the Stampede's contract for $20 million and took over management of the facility.[35] While the city and Saddledome Foundation paid for the 1994–95 renovations, the new agreement required the Flames to pay for future arena maintenance and repairs, as well as any further renovations.[37] The Flames agreed to manage the arena for 20 years and to contribute $14.5 million toward amateur sport in the city over that time.[35] The Saddledome Foundation retains the responsibility of distributing funds to amateur sport. From its inception through 2007, it had allocated over $20 million toward this cause.[74]
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