The Calgary Flames are officially set to move on from the Scotiabank Saddledome.
In an 11-4 decision Tuesday, the City of Calgary voted in favor of a downtown event venue in Victoria Park that will serve as the new home arena for the Flames, as well as the WHL's Calgary Hitmen and the NLL's Calgary Roughnecks.
"I've been asked if I'm happy, and of course we're happy for Calgary," Flames president and CEO Ken King told reporters Tuesday, as per Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson. "But I think the most fun will be proving to the City of Calgary that we can exceed their expectations, that this really is a great deal. And we'll overachieve."
The Saddledome is 36 years old and one of the league's oldest arenas, having housed the franchise since 1983.
This tentative event centre agreement is subject to a seven-day public comment period, a vote of City Council on July 29, 2019, and to customary approvals by CSEC and the Stampede. pic.twitter.com/mgFIFanL8V
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) July 23, 2019
On July 22, the City of Calgary, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Limited struck a deal to split the total cost of the new arena, which should come out to about $550 million. Ultimately, though, the arena is set to be 100 percent owned by the city.
Construction is expected to kick off in 2021, with the agreement lasting 35 years, ensuring that the Flames won't be relocating.
The City of Calgary (the "City"), Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation ("CSEC") and the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Limited ("Stampede") have each approved the fundamental terms and conditions for the development and construction of a new public sports and entertainment event centre.