Venue Detail
Calgary Hitmen
Revenues From Sports Venues Pro Facilities Report
January, 2010
Calgary Hitmen
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PO Box 1540 Station M Calgary, AB T2P 3B9 Phone: 403-571-2200 Fax: 403-571-2211 URL: www.hitmenhockey.com Owner: Calgary Flames League: Western Hockey League Eastern Conference, Central Division
Venue
Pengrowth Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., Calgary, AB T2P 3B9 Owner: City of Calgary Managed by: Team Built: 1983 Capacity: 20,240 Permanent concession stands: 39 Concessionaire: Team Soft drink: Coca Cola Beer: Sleeman Brewing Ltd.
Naming rights
Sold to: Pengrowth Enterprises Ltd. Price: $20, 000,000 Term: 20 years Expires: 2020
Ticket prices
Season tickets range from $376 to $590 Single tickets range from $9.00 to $35.00
Luxury Suites
Quantity: 74 Term: 4 to 10 years Price: $92,000 to $140,000 Seats: 16 to 36 Includes: Tickets, parking passes and public events. The party suites hold 36 persons each. The suites lease for $420 to $630 per game for Hitmen events.
Club seats
Quantity: 1,650 Term: 5 to 5 years Price: $6,338 to $6,338 Includes: Private entrance, access to private restaurant.
Originally called the Olympic Saddledome (the Saddledome came from the saddle-style design of the facility's roof) and constructed as a figure skating and ice hockey facility for the 1988 Winter Olympics, the Saddledome was renovated in 1994 and became known as the Canadian Airlines Saddledome. It is home for the NHL Flames and the WHL Hitmen.
The Flames faced a crisis in 2000, but reached their goal of selling 14,000 season tickets and brought in a naming rights sponsor in the process. The oil and gas firm Pengrowth Management Ltd. purchased naming rights to the Saddledome and now call the Venue the Pengrowth Saddledome.
The Flames say they want to begin construction on a new arena as soon as possible, but they have not established a timeline for the project. The team is talking with architectural and construction firms and expects to issue a request for proposals.
The Flames have said they want a new arena to allow the team to compete financially with other leading franchises. Although the team's lease on the Saddledome expires in 2014, officials said it can be extended on a short-term basis depending how quickly the arena is built.
The Flames have identified two potential sites. One is on the Stampede grounds and the other has not been disclosed.
The arena underwent a $37-million make over in 1995 which added 46 suites and 1,440 premium seats in the President's Club. The Flames have hired consultants to price out both options and determine if a Saddledome retrofit would be able to accommodate the changes needed to boost the building's revenue streams.
The building was opened in 1983 and the NHL team has played in the Venue since 1988 when it was used for the Winter Olympic games. The Flames have been managing the building since 1994 when it paid CAN$20 million to buy its lease.
There are 46 suites in the lower bowl that lease for $135,000 and 26 suites higher that lease for $45,000 to $95,000. The lower suites are on 4, 7 and 10 year terms while those on the upper terrace are on 3 and 5 year terms. Two super suites seat 36 and are leased on a game-day basis for $5,000, including food and beverage. There are also 95 restaurant seats, which cost CAN$50 per game. Club seating requires a payment of CAN$300 per year for 5 years up front. The Venue offers concierge service and a sports bar. (Facilities, Financial, Ice Hockey, Professional Sports, Venue)