So there were huge floods in Alberta starting Friday, and the Calgary Flames failed to seal all the doors at the Saddledome, and … this happened:
“It’s shocking what we are looking at,” said Libby Raines, VP Building Operations for the Calgary Flames.
“You’re eyeballing it but there’s a lot of water and it’s up to the 8th, 9th or tenth row. However, from the last report it doesn’t appear it has risen at all since then.”
Indeed that means the rink, the ice plant and a few thousand seats are submerged by the shocking overflow that swept over Stampede Park and the downtown core.
It also means the dressing rooms, the Jumbotron nerve centre, the Ed Whalen Lounge and the Hot Stove Lounge are all likely destroyed, as well. Plenty of history will likely be ruined too, including a massive championship team photo from 1989 signed by most team members that hangs outside the Flames dressing room.
The good news is that Flames CEO Ken King says insurance should cover the damage, there should be time to get the building operational in time for the upcoming NHL season, and this won’t be used as an excuse to hurry the team’s slow-burning plans for a new arena. Meanwhile: disaster porn!
I’ve never heard of such a thing, but I’m not an Alberta historian. I’m concerned about you guys down here in Colorado. Same blood, same people, different countries. I hope there are no more deaths. All the best.
It’s some pretty awful stuff when you get down to it. I’ve researched a little today. My god. Why are you guys not rioting in the streets? Come on. I’m sorry for joking, but is there already a relief fund, or can someone get one going? I’m a pretty simple minded, beer-swiller, and I wouldn’t know how to get such a thing going. But, I’m all for it, and I’ve got $100 (not trying to be an ass, honestly, I’m just not Bill Gates) that’s on it’s way. Just let me know where. C/O the SaddleDome? I mean, what?
Hopefully the Flames will get a new arena that will be built on a high platform so it doesn’t get flooded or put the new arena in a higher ground area.