Quote:
Originally Posted by elk396
It's the same deal that went on in Edmonton, but we need a new rink, plain and simple or we won't have a team in a few years. Having a pro hockey team in Calgary is a must. It's great for Calgary and it's great for Alberta, not to mention all the other venues we will miss out on because of the Saddledome. Will be a pretty sad day if they pull out of here. It's tough to watch both sides dig in their heels on this. Nenshi is just as stubborn as Gary Bettmen. Going to get interesting.
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The deal in Edmonton actually makes sense for all sides. The arena is paid off by ticket surcharges, the Oilers stay, and the added Ice District development was the real goal for Katz. A brilliant move, and in the long run, good for Katz, good for the city of Edmonton, and the local economy.
I'm not sure if a similar set of circumstances exist in Calgary. With the concentration of O&G offices being there, and considering the office space vacancy rate, there is no way anyone is going to invest billions in building new towers like they are in Edmonton. It just doesn't make sense, as very few see a return to the hay days of oil/gas development.
Are the Flames gone? Perhaps. That is too early to tell, but they are on the watch list to be moved. Obviously Seattle is in the running if they do.
I'm going to miss the Edmonton/Calgary rivalry in hockey.