Status of Calgary Stadiums on cfldb

Status of Calgary Stadiums

Calgary Stampeders – McMahon Stadium

The primary tenants of the University of Calgar’s McMahon Stadium have a wish list of improvements they envision, but private and public funds need to be raised before they will proceed. A new building to house coaching and administrative offices as well as meeting and video rooms was started in 2008 and completed in 2009. This provided room to expand the Stampeder’ locker room and training facilities, completed before the 2010 season. Future changes will focus on re-configuring the stadium to widen concourses to improve the flow of fans to washrooms and concessions.

Despite the original 1960 stadium construction (completed in 100 days) cost of $1 million being partially funded and fully guaranteed by Frank and George McMahon, there have been no private contributors (corporate or otherwise) stepping up to fund renovations today and the McMahon Stadium Society nor the University of Calgary have the funds to finance renovations themselves. With a lack of funds to renovate the stadium, replacing it is not likely to happen for a while.

In March, 2011 the university announced it was entertaining proposals for development of land surrounding the stadium to help pay for stadium improvements that are required over the next few years. In April it was revealed multiple proposals were received. The situation was thrown up in the air when the Calgary Flames purchased majority ownership of the Stampeders in March, 2012, fueling speculation the Flames will propose a combined stadium/arena complex for downtown Calgary.

In November, 2012 the Stampeders announced plans for a $15 million renovation of McMahon Stadium, opening discussions on how to fund such a project, including selling naming rights to the stadium. McMahon Stadium has been given 10 years of life before replacement or massive renovation is required, causing speculation the Flames/Hitmen/Stampeders/Roughnecks owners are working on an arena/stadium sports complex plan that would be mostly privately funded. I see it very unlikely companies would fund such a project except by purchasing naming rights (they are not in the facility management business, nor into giving away money for no return) so it would be up to a number of individuals and corporations to combine contributions.

cfldb Calgary Stampeder Stadium History and Details

McMahon Stadium seating chart