Report: Flames set to announce plans for new arena

Saddle up, Calgary hockey fans. The old dome might be put to rest in the near future, with a shiny new arena seemingly on the horizon.

Flames chief executive officer Ken King appears close to announcing a new home for the club, a source has told Jason Markusoff of the Calgary Herald.

King is keeping his cards close to his vest, but conceded plans are brewing to replace one of the NHL's oldest arenas.

“This is a very ambitious project, and it’s critical it be communicated effectively and not in pieces, and not in response to ad hoc questions,” King told the Herald. “I am chomping at the bit to tell people about these projects. This is a very exciting concept.”

Sources indicate the team is looking at a soon-to-be redeveloped area of the city that would require a measure of public funding to secure and build upon.

Markusoff writes:

That’s where (King) risks an uphill climb, for a project sure to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Calgarians and city council overwhelmingly oppose taxpayer subsidies for a new Flames venue – as Edmonton councillors were, until they changed their minds in the name of downtown rejuvenation.

There appears to be much work to be done in order to finalize plans and break ground on a new arena, but, at the very least, the blueprints will no doubt impress if King's enthusiasm is any indication.