Floods cause major damage to Calgary Flames’ Saddledome

The home of the Calgary Flames, the Pengrowth Saddledome, has been hit hard by the flood which is plaguing Alberta. As of Friday afternoon, reports indicate that the first 10 rows of the Saddledome are now under water.

The flooding has the dressing rooms under water and has destroyed the room which holds the electronic equipment used to operate the Jumbotron. And it’s not just the arena’s functionality that has been hurt, the Flames’ history has also taken a beating.

Reports from Twitter indicate a number of the team’s most treasured memorabilia has been damaged, like a photo of the 1989 Stanley Cup winning team, signed by every player.

Flash floods hit Alberta early this morning and are now causing major problems through Calgary’s business district. As of Early Friday afternoon, about 75,000 Albertans have been forced to evacuate their homes.

Water levels on the Bow and Elbow Rivers are expected to remain extremely high for the next few days although Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi worries the worst might be yet to come.

“I have never seen the Bow River that high and that fast … I was here in (the floods of) 2005 and this is no comparison,” Nenshi told reporters.
While it’s likely the least of their worries, Calgarians are already wondering whether the Calgary Stampede will go ahead. The annual event is scheduled to begin two weeks from now.

“To watch this unfold over the past 24 hours and see the work that our first responders have done and any integration that has taken place in Calgary in communities right across southern Alberta, from Canmore to High River to Lethbridge overwhelmingly does speak to who we are as Albertans,” Alberta Premier Alison Redford told reporters Friday.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is currently en route to Alberta to lend support and tour the flood zones.