Dollar for dollar, a trip to McMahon Stadium to watch the Calgary Stampeders play football represents one of the best entertainment values in Alberta.

With three Grey Cup appearances – and two triumphs – in the last five years, the on-field product has a winning tradition.

The 2002 season was a bit of a hiccup, but new coach Jim Barker and his staff have shored up the troops with trades and key free-agent signings so 2003 figures to be another banner year.

Besides, season-ticket holders have known for years there’s not a bad seat in the venerable facility. And building on a tradition that started last season, Stamps management is urging corporate Calgary to get right on top of its game, to take advantage of the sweetest seats in the house.

Stampeders team president Stan Schwartz enjoys the superb view from the Super Suite at McMahon Stadium.

They’re waiting, as we speak, within the sparkling Super Suite, high above the McMahon Stadium Astroturf.

Corporate guests will be be invited to get comfy in 112 theatre-style chairs in the roomy new lounge, situated atop the east-side grandstand.

An additional row of 75 bar stools is waiting, too, barely an arm’s length from a full range of professional bar and food services, provided by Chuckwagon Caterers (Calgary) Ltd.

The 2003 home-opener is a month-and-a-half away (June 3 versus the B.C. Lions), but the Stampeders are already accepting bookings for their fully equipped (washrooms, closed-circuit TV) Super Suite, available to corporate clients during each of 10 home dates during the Canadian Football League season.

The Super Suite is an exciting twist on a time-honoured pleasure: watching the Stamps do battle at McMahon.

How cool is this?

Corporate employees, clients and guests with passes to the Super Suite will be encouraged to arrive early.

Why? So they’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the traditional pre-game tailgate festivities in the McMahon Stadium parking area.

Then, just prior to kickoff, they’ll step aboard the east-side elevator, and sail to roof level. There, corporate guests will settle in to watch from a truly incomparable vantage.

As team president Stan Schwartz explained, the suite was added by the McMahon Stadium Society, which operates the venue on behalf of the University of Calgary.

Built in 2000, the Super Suite accommodated journalists and sponsors during the 2000 Calgary Grey Cup.

But once the contest was entered into the books, the stadium brain trust paused to determine how to make the most of this slick new feature.

“We were undecided at first. Should we subdivide it into mini-suites, or should we leave it as it was, an open space?” president Schwartz recalled.

The option of subdivision carried obvious appeal. Thirteen suites on the stadium’s west side are sold out for Stamps’ games, and waiting lists are long.

However, it was decided to leave the Super Suite open, thereby allowing the Stamps to invite corporate Calgary to bring staffers and customers up to Party Central, en masse.

As Schwartz pointed out, Super Suite is particularly well suited to those organizations that enjoy a large workforce and customer base.

Based on an occupancy of 200, the reservation fee for Super Suite is $12,000, plus GST, a price that breaks down to a modest $60 per guest.

Food and beverages are not included in the cost. Upon receipt of a 50-per-cent booking deposit, the Super Suite may be reserved by two or more companies, with one proviso: the contract must be under the name of one company alone.

By inviting corporate Calgary to enjoy the Super Suite at a reasonable cost, the Stampeders have kept in step with their “keep it affordable” marketing philosophy, which has proven a winner from the get-go.

They began by introducing the $100 season ticket (now $120), a bold step that contributed to the club’s incredible ongoing streak of 36 successive home games with 30,000-plus attendance.

Quality on the field, fair prices, a commitment to family entertainment and community service – are all hallmarks of the Stampeders’ style.

The Super Suite is yet another chapter in the continuing saga.

Corporate inquiries about Super Suite may be directed to team president Stan Schwartz, at 403-289-0205.

It’s a terrific chance to take your game to a new level – all the way to the top.