A big announcement for the Calgary Flames ownership group is coming up Tuesday, August 18.

They've invited Flames season ticket holders and the media to an event at the Saddledome where it's expected they'll outline plans for a new hockey rink and fieldhouse/stadium for the west end of Downtown Calgary.

While it won't be an announcement of the start of the project, it is expected to be at least an update on what the direction of the Flames group's intentions are.

They've been teasing fans for a few years now about plans to build new facilities for the Flames, Hitmen and Stampeders, but this is really the first "sit down" with stake holders that we've all been privy to.

Speculation is the Flames will build the arena on their own dime in the area now home to the Greyhound bus station and a couple of car dealerships, and then ask for a couple of hundred million dollars in public money to finance the fieldhouse which will be open to the public.

The Stamps would practice out of the fieldhouse, and maybe play in the same area as it could double as a stadium, or a new stand alone stadium could be built either at that site, or as others have speculated a new football field could go on the east end of downtown around the area of the current Saddledome.

From the Flames, here's the letter from King to fans:

It is a great time to be a sports fan and live in this wonderful and vibrant city of Calgary. We would like to share a proposal for a project that will make all Calgarians and Albertans proud.

This has the potential to be one of Calgary’s most transformative projects at a vital time in our city’s history.

This will be our first public discussion on this project and it is important that you be the first to know.

On August 18, we will be hosting an information session to present high level scope of the project including a preview of CalgaryNEXT.

This is not a formal launch of the project, but it is an opportunity for us to share what has been done to date and introduce our vision for the future.

Please confirm your attendance and since space is limited, please RSVP by 12 noon on Friday, August 14.

We hope you can join us,

Best regards,

Ken King

President and CEO

Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corporation