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Rough & Ready Saddledome

Official Review by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

The Scotiabank Saddledome opened its doors in 1983 and, for a generation, has been the home of the Calgary Flames. But that's not their only tenant. In 2012 the Calgary Roughnecks are entering their 11th season in the National Lacrosse League, playing their home games at the Saddledome. During that time, the Roughnecks have established themselves as one of the best teams in NLL history, making the playoffs in every year but their first and winning two championships in that time. This success has helped build a very loyal fan base that rocks the 'Dome whenever the Roughnecks are in town. Although things for the team were dicey during the 2011 season due to financial issues, the Flames bought the team over the summer and they are looking to be in a much better position now, to the delight of the fans. While the Saddledome was state of the art when it opened for business, it is starting to be a little long in the tooth almost 30 years later. Consequently, the Flames have begun talking about building a new facility in the not-too-distant future. Still, it remains a solid structure that has seen a number of renovations over the years to keep it as current as possible, and is still a good place to watch an event. When the Roughnecks are in town, the hockey ice surface is covered in artificial turf, creating a different look in the stadium compared to hockey nights. A few other tweaks to the environment and it winds up being quite a different experience than what you might expect at a Calgary Flames game.

Food & Beverage    3

Pretty much what you expect at a stadium is offered in the concourse. All the typical concession fare at typically inflated concession prices, but all decent, whether you're interested in dogs, nachos or chocolate malteds are served. A very limited selection of beer from the taps is available as well. There are also Pizza 73 stations and Good Earth Coffee available for fans who want something a little different than cola and popcorn. There are several restaurant options within the Saddledome as well. In total, five different locations around the 'Dome serve food and drinks before, during, and after events. If you are looking for something above and beyond the standard game fare, one of these places is where you want to go. Dutton's Lounge, a sports bar, and the Saddledome Restaurant, a more family oriented restaurant, are available to any and all customers, while the Alumni Lounge, the Avison Young Club Dining Room, and the King Club are reserved for owners of season's tickets or people who have paid for the more premium seats in the house.

Atmosphere    4

The atmosphere at a lacrosse game is raucous. Music is played throughout the game and fans are encouraged by the announcer to cheer their team and taunt the opposition. As a result, the fans at Roughnecks games are generally more boisterous than you might find at a typical Flames game. The Roughnecks have won two league championships in their 10 seasons in the NLL and have earned the Champion's Cup both times at home in the Saddledome. Consequently, the energy and sense of pride the team brings to the stadium is very strong and the entire building and the people inside seem to feed off it. It is infectious and makes for a very entertaining, exciting night of entertainment. The lacrosse community in town is ten times larger now than it was when the Roughnecks arrived here, so the audience has a significant group of younger fans and their parents and the powers that be within the organization do a good job of appealing to them with meet-and-greet opportunities after games, youth oriented events between quarters and at halftime, etc. The net result is that kids of all ages are likely to have a good time at a game.

Neighborhood    3

The Saddledome is situated on the Calgary Stampede Grounds, located on the southeast edge of the downtown core. There isn't much happening in the immediate neighbourhood, but it is slowly becoming more and more gentrified, which means more dining and entertainment options in the immediate vicinity, such as the Stampede Casino, just north of the 'Dome on the Stampede Grounds. Another best kept secret right at the Stampede is Maverick's, located upstairs in the old Big Four Building (formerly the largest curling club in the world) and open for all event nights. Just across Macleod Trail from the Stampede Grounds, on 14th Ave, you can find Loungeburger, which is the official post-game party destination for the Roughnecks and their award-winning cheerleaders, the Drill Crew. It is a more upscale gourmet burger place, with burger selections running from $13-$23, including fries. Just a few blocks due west of the 'Dome lies the heart of what has come to be known as "The Red Mile," a string of nightclubs, bars and restaurants that gained a certain amount of notoriety during the Flames' Stanley Cup run in 2004. Melrose Café, with a dining area and a bar, is the best known spot, but within a couple blocks of Melrose are several other excellent options, such as the Ship and Anchor Pub which has been named Best Neighbourhood Pub in Calgary several times by local publication "Fast Forward Weekly." My favourite Mexican restaurant in town, El Sombrero, is also found on the east end of The Red Mile.

Fans    4

Roughnecks games generally draw between 9,000-11,000 fans to the Saddledome, which fills it to about half capacity—the 2012 home opener drew just over 9,300. Calgary has sold the 'Dome out twice in past years, including the 2004 Champion's Cup game - which the 'Necks won. The fans are fiercely loyal and very enthusiastic, resulting in lots of noise and great energy during the game. With the explosion of interest in lacrosse within Calgary, the crowds have become more stable and have seen gradual but steady growth over the years.

Access    3

Located downtown, the Saddledome is relatively easy to get to, aside from the traffic woes that are par for the course in the inner city. Expect stop-and-go traffic and delays getting to and from the facility, which can be anywhere from distracting to downright irritating. Parking on the Stampede Grounds will run you $13 and fills up fairly quickly, especially if there are other events happening around the Grounds. There are other alternate off-site parking options at similar or slightly lower rates, but plan for a bit of a walk after that. The other option is to take the city's Light Rail Transit system to the game. The "C-Train" has a stop on the west side of the grounds, making it easily accessible from all over the city heading north or south. This can be a much more convenient option for fans not wanting the hassle of driving downtown, although the trains can get pretty crowded after events. An adult fare for Calgary Transit is $2.75, youths are $1.75.

Return on Investment    4

Compared to the price of a Flames game, the cost of a Roughnecks game is a bargain, with prices starting at $20 for upper bowl end zone tickets and going up to $56.18 for the Avison Young seats in the lower bowl (these passes are available at local Safeway stores as well as at Ticketmaster). Or you can go whole hog and rent a luxury box for $880-$1980 that can hold you and 14-36 of your closest friends. With as good a price as this is for a professional sporting event, coupled with the sheer entertainment value provided by box lacrosse, this is a no-brainer.

Extras    3

The Saddledome provides a good environment for enjoying sports, with great sight lines for everyone. There are a number of points of interest along the concourse walls, there is always a memorabilia auction held in the main concourse for collectors and, as mentioned before, the players stick around after games to sign autographs on the field for dedicated fans. Overall, there's plenty of interesting touches to keep everyone interested and engaged. Whether you're writing a stadium review, movie review, or sportsbook review it is always easier to write about something you can sincerely recommend. NLL and the Calgary Roughnecks at the Scotiabank Saddledome are a great example of a sports event that deserves your attention.

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