It’s an iconic Calgary building that you probably see all the time, but have you ever stopped to wonder about the history of the Saddledome?
Plans for what we now know as the Scotiabank Saddledome started coming together in 1980. The Calgary Flames were a newly arrived franchise, and the city had put in a bid for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games. A multi-purpose facility was all but imperative.
A committee quickly came together to oversee construction and management of the new facility, and the Saddledome officially opened just three years later in 1983. It was a star attraction for figure skating and hockey when the Olympics rolled around.
However, the building would require renovations in the fall of 1994, shortly after the Saddledome’s management was transferred to the Calgary Flames Limited Partnership. It would be another year — and a $37 million price tag –– before the Saddledome reopened again.
Under the ‘dome
The most fascinating element of the Saddledome is its unique saddle-designed roof, which represents Calgary’s strong Western heritage. You don’t have to work in construction to deduce that the roof is an impressive architectural feat — it speaks for itself.
In technical terms, the roof is an inverted hyperbolic paraboloid made of precast concrete panels. These are supported by a cable network grouted and tensioned to form a monolithic structure. In simpler terms, the inversion, or saddle, part of the roof is possible thanks to really light concrete and really strong cables.
Inside, the concave roof makes for an intimate vibe in the seating bowl. It also helps reduce volume by about one-third compared to traditionally constructed arenas, meaning that there isn’t a bad seat in the house, whether you’re in the upper bowl or right near the action.
In fact, with no pillars, the longest sightline from any seat is only 200 feet. (Though as someone who ended up in literally the back row for Noah Kahan last year, I can confirm the distance is a bit further than you’d think.)
What’s in a name?
The building has seen many name changes over the years. Its original name, the Olympic Saddledome, was changed to Canadian Airlines Saddledome, and renamed again in 2000 to the Pengrowth Saddledome after Pengrowth Management Ltd. signed a ten-year agreement. In 2010, Scotiabank took over, and the rest is history.
Today, the Saddledome is home to hockey games, concerts, Stampede events, and more. It’s a staple in the fabric of Calgary’s bustling tapestry. However, it’s a little worn for wear – a 2018 report showed that the structure could benefit from millions of dollars worth of fixes over the following ten years. While that list may not get checked off in its entirety, some fixes have been made, and the building is considered safe.
And let’s be honest, would Calgary feel the same without the Saddledome?
Where: 555 Saddledome Rise SE
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