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Water-cooler discussion thread

The Stampede's about to get a ton more space when the Saddledome's gone.
They'd get even more if they ditched the track.

They've also hinted that the Ag Building's days are numbered, though it will likely be replaced, but not necessarily on the same spot.
 
Would be great to have a permanent spot for the coca cola stage, especially one where they can segment the crowd a bit so as not to have a repat of the Don Toliver concert. Personally I would like to see a gently sloped amphitheater with tiers and railings at each tier level.
Is it time to revive the McMahon stadium relocation to Victoria Park? A smaller stadium could probably double as a concert venue for two weeks in the summer? My dream would be a flex style stadium that can host football, soccer, concerts, where the seating is modular and can be relocated based on its use. Not sure if that's possible but I'd think it exists somewhere.
 
My dream would be a flex style stadium that can host football, soccer, concerts, where the seating is modular and can be relocated based on its use.
I've always been a shared Grandstand and Stadium stadium proponent. This is likely much more feasible. The section between the track and 14th Ave can be rethought to include this multi-purpose venue, an Ag building and a Weadickville 2.0 urban farmer's market and outdoor grazing for the animals during and outside stampede. People want to make Stampede longer than 10 days (11 days if you include the Thursday). It isn't a stretch to keep some programming going all year if you give yourself the space to do it.
 
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I've always been shared Grandstand and Stadium stadium proponent. This is likely much more feasible. The section between the track and 14th Ave can be rethought to include this multi-purpose venue, an Ag building and a Weadickville 2.0 urban farmer's market and outdoor grazing for the animals during and outside stampede. People want to make Stampede longer than 10 days (11 days if you include the Thursday). It isn't a stretch to keep some programming going all year if you give yourself the space to do it.
With the new hotel and likely future residential near the grounds, some form of year-round activity would get a huge boost!
 
With the new hotel and likely future residential near the grounds, some form of year-round activity would get a huge boost!
The current trajectory of the Stampede reminds me most of a combination of Toronto's Union Station area + Exhibition area.

In the shorter term, I think a more permanent Coke Stage - like a proper, 10,000+ person outdoor venue - plus a Rec Room-type place are the more obvious easy ones to pull off, to start bridging the 10 days into a bit longer season.

A lot more difficult (and many billions of dollars) but more game-changing and in-line with Toronto, would be if this Alberta passenger rail scheme materializes into something real and central station is built just north of Victoria Park. If done effectively, that would propel the area to something new entirely, becoming the region/province's most significant transportation hub + event/entertainment district.
 
In the shorter term, I think a more permanent Coke Stage - like a proper, 10,000+ person outdoor venue - plus a Rec Room-type place are the more obvious easy ones to pull off, to start bridging the 10 days into a bit longer season.
An Alamo Drafthouse (probably not the exact American chain, but the name is perfect) along with the barcade would be sweet. I could also imagine that some 'theatre' rooms could work really well for certain conferences
 
The Stampede needs to book smaller artists for the free shows, or at least do it somewhere where access can be controlled (Big 4 is indoors, and they can just close the doors if it's getting too packed). Moving the Coke Stage off the grounds defeats the point of the coke stage.
 

2025 Calgary Stampede narrowly misses attendance record​

quotes from the article:
"The Stampede was about 130,000 people shy of breaking the existing record heading into the final Sunday, and while it was close, the stampede just fell short of breaking last year’s record.

121,704 people passed through the gates on Sunday, bringing the total attendance to 1,470,288 — about 7,000 fewer than in 2024."
"When asked once again about capping daily attendance, Stampede CEO Joel Crowley said at this point, that’s still not needed since even on days where families can take advantage of free admission, they typically leave in the afternoon — replaced by those taking in the evening’s entertainment.

He said there are plans for expansion, but those will have to wait until after the Saddledome arena is demolished."
 
What's the most likely process for demoltion? Implosion followed by a few months of hauling debris away? What typically happens to this kinds of debris?
 
Buildings don't get imploded anymore really. Nowadays it's expected that you will recycle as much as you can, demolishing a building and just burying the rubble is likely not even allowed.

Demolition will definitely be fascinating, the roof is cable suspended, and the concrete ring beam holds the walls up. There is probably a lot of tensioned steel throughout the building, letting one of those bars loose would create a very dangerous projectile lol. So sad this building is coming down, it's a really neat structure. ☹️
 

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