Stampede Corral demolition begins next month
By Ryan Pike
3 years agoAn era in Calgary sports will soon be coming to an end. CBC’s Scott Dippel has reported that the Stampede Corral, an iconic building in Stampede Park since 1950, will be torn down beginning next month. The demolition will make way for the ongoing expansion of the BMO Centre complex.
Demolition will reportedly begin next month, accelerate in October, and be complete by March 2021.
The Corral opened in 1950 and was the major arena in town until the Olympic Saddledome opened across the street in 1983. While the building hasn’t exactly aged gracefully, it still holds a ton of great sports memories for many Calgarians.
Per Dippel’s reporting, a lot of the historic memorabilia and photos have already been preserved – the photos on the concourse are, for example, primarily copies – but unfortunately fans won’t be able to bring home parts of the Corral as has happened in other markets when arenas were moth-balled:
Nostalgia buffs also won’t get the chance to buy or bid on original wooden seats from the building.Stampede officials say the red coloured seats are covered with lead paint and they would be dangerous if they end up in people’s basements or garages.
Among others, the Corral was the home of the Calgary Stampeders (1950-77), the Calgary Centennials (1966-77), the Calgary Wranglers (1977-87), and the short-lived WHA’s Calgary Cowboys (1975-77). It was the first home of the Calgary Flames from 1980-83, upon which time the Flames moved to the ‘Dome. It also served as the occasional home of the Calgary Hitmen when building conflicts in the Saddledome caused them to find alternate arrangements.
The final major hockey game held in the building was on Feb. 8, 2019, in the form of an 8-2 Hitmen loss to the Prince Albert Raiders in the final game of the Corral Series.
The Corral was also a regular home of Stampede Wrestling throughout its life and is considered one of the more iconic pro wrestling venues in the world. The final wrestling show held in the venue was a WWE live event back on Sept. 20.
When the Corral is gone in March the Saddledome will hold the title as the only major arena in town for the first time in its lifespan. It will hold that crown until the new arena, located two blocks north, opens its doors in May 2024.
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