Calgary's New Flames Arena Could Be Ready By '24 NHL Season

Calgary City Councillor Jeff Davison, who spearheaded efforts in pursuing the Flames' new arena deal, said that it is possible the team "could take their first face-off in the new building" in the fall of '24, according to Bill Kaufmann of the CALGARY HERALD. For now, Davison said that the "next step is determining how the new building will look and function, a process expected to kick off" after Sept. 5 when a Calgary Municipal Land Corp. report on "how public engagement will proceed" goes to the Calgary Event Centre Assessment Committee. He also said that a "virtual pre-requisite is that the 19,000-seat facility be capable of hosting major concerts, something the Saddledome's unique but finicky roof was often unable to accommodate." Meanwhile, CMLC VP/Marketing & Communications Clare LePan said that the "demolition of the Saddledome won't happen until after its replacement is completed" (CALGARY HERALD, 8/1).