I vote a NO!
This is just dumping $275 million plus into a rich person fantasyland.
Times are very difficult for so many in our city. It is despicable for city council to throw another 115 Calgarian families into financial turmoil and to cut essential services while at the same time insisting that we can afford a new arena. (The city just spent a great deal of money repairing and modernizing the Saddle Dome after the flood.) A new arena is not essential. The suggestion that money can't be moved from one pocket of the budget to another is a disingenuous smoke and mirrors show that's -- at best -- an insult to the public's intelligence. It's fungible. Government's move money from one budget to another all the time.
Regardless of public investment, us average calgarians won't have access to it. So don't expect to hold your charity bake sales there.
Bailey - 5 years ago
I've lived in this city my whole life as a true Calgarian ...take down the saddledome for a new area. Our city needs this, not just for hockey but also year round events!
Tomas - 5 years ago
When are the “ idiots “ that are in the going to learn ??? They are not the once flipping the bill ( if they had to make ends meet with $ 15,00 an hour they would think different ) , at the end the Flames and the corrupt assholes that are involve in the deal are the only once that are benefiting from it . The proper way to do this is lake any home buyer : the Flames , owner and construction company get a loan , pay for it and any Flame enthusiasts to go and see a game or any other show , concert goer , show goer , should pay and extra “ fee “ or tariff to get in there ; why should many other people pay for the benefit for a few ? This are not the right economic conditions to do this , cutting millions of dollars of good services of needed people for the benefit of a few rich people , Council and Mayor and city workers must get their pensions and benefits cut in half , that’s when We are going to save money , such a corruption and entitlement attitude , discussed by the way Canadians act , been a foreigner born Canadian citizen , always thought that Canadians would be more descent and respectful people : VERY DISAPPOINTING : SHAME TO ALL OF YOU
Catherine Cartmill - 5 years ago
The city has failed to include the value of the property taxes that the Flames avoid by having City of Calgary as the owner of the facility. Lots of misleading accounting in the city info graphic.
Bud Lewis - 5 years ago
Rediculus use of tax dollars. Where is private investment if this is such a good deal? They can’t balance the next year budget but spend our tax dollars on something most Calgarians will never use.
Yann - 5 years ago
Bad idea, start by paying property taxes and support the rest.
Kish - 5 years ago
This is a bad move. I say no, no ,no.
Gail - 5 years ago
We have needed this for a long time. The Flames have done a lot to bring our city alive and provide for varies charities . Also we are loosing so many concerts etc. because our building is so old and the sound is ridiculous. It will be nice to have more room for people to attend events as well. I know it is a lot of money but will be worth it in the end.
Delores Pilsl - 5 years ago
There will always be a need for more money for schools, health care, transit, police and fire services but we can't continue to wait until the stars are all aligned to make these investments in our city. We've needed a field house for many years - Edmonton has 3 and even St Albert has 2 - while we still wait.. We miss out on hosting many global events because we don't have the facilities. We made a mark when we hosted the Olympics and for years the facilities were used to host world class events - but it appears that legacy will be lost due to aging infrastructure. We need to be bold and move forward rather than wringing our hands and crying woe is me. We've gone through economic downturns in the past and come through it and we will again. We can do this.
Milano - 5 years ago
First of all I have to say I am in favor of a new Arena but:
WHY ARE WE RUSHING A $275 MILLION DEAL!??
Our property tax keeps going up. Businesses in downtown cannot operate with property tax hikes and now we throwing a sweet deal to very rich NHL owners of Flames. Why?
Why there is no public consultation on this? Why mayor hasn't made himself or anyone from his team available to answer questions?
A new Arena but at what cost?
Why am I expected to pay for half of the cost of a project that I will never enjoy? I am not a sports or concerts fan.
As a city we should talk about this a lot more than a week.
Audrey Westing - 5 years ago
Nenshi's average tax increase was $112/year compared to $44/year by the last Mayor Bronconnier. We should cut Nenshi's wasteful spending so that we could afford nice things once in a while. The arena is a distraction from the existing wasteful spending by the city - which could have funded multiple arenas to put it into perspective.
Ascii - 5 years ago
This city has a spending problem and a crippled economy, yet here we are wanting to spend even more money. But why listen to common sense, let's just continue to ignore the issue and blindly spend more money on things we do not need.
Cay - 5 years ago
Now is the time, if not now then when?? We are so hard to please...just get over it...and get it over with.
CMoj - 5 years ago
Why zero consultation from the public who will pay 300m for this? Why the rush?
Of course a new arena/events centre would be great for the city, but not when we can't even afford to pay for our police, firefighters and transit.
Why dont the flames pay for their own arena if its such a money making venture?
If this goes through, we can count on our property axes going up - even if they say they won't..
Diana - 5 years ago
NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THIS. Since when an arena became more important than emergency services, jobs, transportation, etc. This is sooo SAD...
Bilko - 5 years ago
It's about time and build a new Football stadium at the same time please. Stampeders need a new Stadium too
Kapil Khanna - 5 years ago
Yes, About time. Calgarians made the mistake not to vote for the Olympic bid which would have brought improvements to the city. Don't make the same mistake twice!
David - 5 years ago
Nenshi is still sore the Olympics didn't work out, so wants to rush consultation and minimize public influence. Municipalities waking up to the fact that public spending on professional sports venues rarely makes economic sense was so 5 years ago.
Jeff - 5 years ago
These politicians think the tax dollars supply is endless. Don't try know we are in a recession or so they believe Trudeau that all is rosy? You can't keep spend money you don't have and expect to improve things. It is basic math.
Amanda Woods - 5 years ago
1 I think it is an absolutely terrible idea. We're cutting 60 million dollars from the budget, 7 million for fire 7 million for police almost three million for special needs Transit. And yet they can spend 277 million dollars on an arena for a losing hockey team.????????????
Andrea - 5 years ago
Overdue. Needed. Do now.
DCM - 5 years ago
Bad idea. With the economic downturn in this city it is not the right time. Although the say
Taxpayers will not have to foot any of the expense...I will believe that when hell freezes
Over. Also how can they say they need to cut essential services (EMS, Transit
Fire and police) one week and the next week they want to spend money on a
new arena does not make good business sense. I guess ticket prices for hockey games and concerts
will skyrocket.
Derek - 5 years ago
This may be a decent deal for an arena, but the timing is terrible! The city is currently cutting front line emergency services in order to save $60 million in the budget (non-residential property tax cut). At the same time, we are spending $270 million on an arena for an incredibly wealthy for-profit industry, for a team that barely even entered the latest playoff season (one lousy home game - thanks for the economic boost, boys). Most employees would be fired for that kind of performance, but the Flames get a fancy new arena. Meanwhile, the city's only solution to an obscene tax burden is to cut fire, police, and other critical services. Shameful.
Lir - 5 years ago
I don't think this a good idea. The city has no qualifications to go into the hockey business. Enough with my wasting my money. Let private enterprise pick up the tab.
Frank - 5 years ago
No, we don’t need to waste more money on something brand new that we don’t really need, that Peace bridge for example was already a waste of money.
We have an working arena, it’s not falling apart and it looks cool. Where else can you go to in the world to find a building that looks like a giant horse saddle? Nowhere to else I know of. I wish for future generation to appreciate that unique building.
Tearing down the Saddle Dome would be like destroying part of what makes the Calgary Stampede. Or even tearing down the Calgary Tower would be a ridiculous idea in itself, it’s part of what makes Calgary unique. It’s part of our history.
Anyway the economy is terrible right now so this whole deal sounds like a terrible idea, no thank you. Everything is way too expensive right now and we don’t need things getting more expensive. No way in heck would I waste money on it. Save money for something else that’s actually needed and useful.
Eric - 5 years ago
100% ownership of a building they only pay 50% of the cost to built, and don't pay anything to maintain it. Sounds like a landlords dream. City should realize this and jump on the opportunity.
Ryan - 5 years ago
This could have been built as an olympic venue which the city wouldn't consider at the time and would have come with 4 billion dollars of investment in city facilities and infrastructure. Now that the city is really suffering we are now willing to throw hundreds of millions of dollars down the tubes on a single sports project of a type that has proven in the past in every city that has ever built a sports venue to never recoup it's investment. All to help an owner group consisting of billionaires and millionaires who could easily fund the project on their own instead of getting a welfare check from Calgary tax payers.
Jim - 5 years ago
Yes ,I agree with getting the new building. It's not just hockey fans that will enjoyi it. Any big city needs to keep up.
Graham - 5 years ago
This would have been great to get some funding for this and many other buildings that need help by hosting the Olympics.
Don - 5 years ago
You know what is really funny about all of this commotion. The Calgary Stampedes produce winnings all the time and you don't always see handout requests from them like this arena has in the past. Yet the Calgary Flames have not towed the line of winnings. In fact they have found it even difficult in making it to the playoffs. Like most business venues. If you cannot even produce the revenue, then no hand outs until you do. How many business ventures have you seen going bankrupt because the business cannot produce the revenue. Especially when the majority of tax payers do not attend the games. This is Nenshi's way. The taxpayer should pay for it ! They got lots of money in taxes !! Also the fact that Nenshi is doing this during the time of year when most people are on holidays is suspicious enough !! Do the poll the first week of October when most Calgarians are at home. Why isn't this poll being done like the Olympic Deal was done ? Because not everyone is reading the Sun Daily. They are probably away on vacation.
Sean - 5 years ago
Love the deal!! People keep forgetting that the 60M budget cut has NOTHING to do with this deal. And everyone is complaining about the taxpayers funding half of the project, but without the revenue that the arena will provide the city over the next 35 years, you can expect the loss of revenues to be subsidized by more budget cuts and taxes. The city needs this now.
Robert - 5 years ago
Love it!! FINALLY!! Will revitalize the whole area!! Look what the new rink in Edmonton has done for that city! We NEED IT ASAP!
Jenny - 5 years ago
Fully support the proposal! Good for everybody when we can attract big name talent to the city so that tourists want to come to Calgary and spend money while they are here!!!
Garth - 5 years ago
Awesome plan on sharing the cost. Calgary should be able to build new arena if Edmonton was able to. Benefits Everybody in Calgary the way the flames spend on charities!! City needs a boost right now!!!!!
Scooter - 5 years ago
One more thought.....
Why only a week to review for the taxpayers? If it is such a good deal as Nenshi et al claim then wouldn't it still be a good deal in say a month from now? After all this will be a multi-year construction project with at a 35 year legacy to the taxpayers.
There are a lot of people away for the summer and heavily involved with their children during the summer break - shouldn't they be allowed a moment or two of sober thought?
Scooter - 5 years ago
“The deal is the deal. You don’t like the deal, vote against it,” says Coun. Shane Keating.
Well Mr. Keating you can kiss my butt right after Nenshi does.
Has anyone noticed that ANYTHING NENSHI TOUCHES turns bad really quick. Business tax, property tax, art installations/budget and the elephant in the room the Olympic bid!
He is trying so desperately to have a "legacy" to his time in office (which I firmly believe is coming to an end - Thankfully) Unfortunately he wants to stick us with the bill - spread out over the next 35 YEARS of course.
A deal of this size has obviously been worked on (behind the scenes) for quite some time and the taxpayers now only get a week to review and decide? How do we know if they've shown us everything - the Olympic bid process showed us quite clearly the Nenshi et al were withholding all sorts of facts from everyone on the hook. I don't trust Nenshi, nor the majority of city council and don't even get me started on that flim flam man Ken King. I've heard him speak and wouldn't trust him with my back turned. Promising the Flames won't leave for 35 years is a joke - no one can make that promise and who's to say we'll want them that long?
The last 3 -4 years of economic devastation to this city has NOT been met with any sort of "fiscal responsibility" or common sense what so ever. This city desperately needs new leadership that is held accountable to the taxpayers.
Bonnie - 5 years ago
They cut $60 million to front line services that affect everyone but OK spending $275 million for a sports arena that only a few will utilize. And they roll out the deal mid summer when people are away, and give only 1 week for public input. What are they hiding? We can't afford this.
Steve - 5 years ago
Nenshi is still mad we threw out his stupid Olympic idea, and now he gets his revenge, another private company takes tax dollars to the bank. Next in line will be the Stampeders, then the Lacrosse team, then a baseball team will materialize and ask for tax dollar help. Nenshi already knows he is out next election, maybe Voters should contact their Councillors, especially since many are new and want to keep riding the Calgary gravy train.
S MacDonnell - 5 years ago
Hundreds of thousand of Albertans out of work and you pass them another bill. This is not the Alberts I know. Shockingly disappointing!
Ted Boychuk - 5 years ago
Taxpayers should not fund any portion of the capital cost as it would be a misappropriation of funds.Ownership of the “Flames” should fund the project.If the desire does not exist to do so, the ownership should,for example,do a share offering to raise the capital.The City of Calgary should not be some form of a “financial” institution for a commercial entity.The sports and entertainment industries are out of control and the proposal is another example to confirm it.
Ted Boychuk - 5 years ago
Taxpayers should not fund any portion of the capital cost as it would be a misappropriation of funds.Ownership of the “Flames” should fund the project.If the desire does not exist to do so, the ownership should,for example,do a share offering to raise the capital.The City of Calgary should not be some form of a “financial” institution for a commercial entity.The sports and entertainment industries are out of control and the proposal is another example to confirm it.
K L H - 5 years ago
I really don’t think we need a new arena. An improved one, sure. I feel like the saddle dome is an iconic building for Calgary and to just demolish it and put some other building in it’s place, doesn’t make me want to support the athletics that use that venue. It’s already a lot of money to go to the games and it seems like it’s mainly the Flames complaining about it. If they want it then they should pay for it all with their ridiculous salaries. Why not maintain some history instead of just replacing it.
Charlie Rungeling - 5 years ago
About time. This city keeps sitting on their and afraid to get things done. So about time. It will pay for its self fast once built
Rudolph Williams - 5 years ago
At this ti.e when the City is cutting their budget, we should not spend tax payers money to bail out the arena owners . There are cities that have not contributed to their cities, which are running efficiently, why can not the flames owners do the same. Where are the Conservatives who crush " socialist " when the city helps out for the "homeless or the poor. The cost will increase by 25% and the city will be on hook for a sum close the budget reduction.
Tony Carolan - 5 years ago
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Tony Carolan - 5 years ago
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Hall Ma - 5 years ago
Most people talk about using tax dollars, but I will talk from a real fan's perspective. New arena will become dramatically less affordable for real fans to attend the game. On average ticket prices will shoot up by 30-50% and the capacity for inexpensive seats will be significantly reduced while lower bowl/suites will be expanded. So good bye nose bleed prices. This is bad news for the real fan. The constant complaint was long bathroom line ups. Well Edmonton has a new arena and that didn't help the problem in their last playoff run. The only people it won't affect are the current suite owners and first 13 rows of the lower bowl, but for sure the lower bowl will be expanded to the 2nd level up to maybe the 10th row and all the PL level seats will most likely vanish.They may have the top 5 rows as affordable seats only, while most other seats will be out of reach for the fans. With a new arena, most real fans will have to dig way way deeper to go to games.
Tony Carolan - 5 years ago
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Dar - 5 years ago
Absolutely not..
This is irresponsible in these economic times. City council is out of touch with reality.
George Curnew - 5 years ago
The city has no business contemplating entering into a deal with the Calgary Flames in the current economic climate. As a business owner my taxes are skyrocketing...and I'm not offered any meaningful relief, much less a sweetheart deal like Nenshi and Co. and the Flames have engineered. Study after study shows municipalities derive little economic benefit funding stadiums...let the Flames figure out how to run their business without hundreds of millions of public dollars that should be spent elsewhere, or let them try to get a sweetheart deal in some other city. This will be a major election issue. Nenshi's days are already numbered, and I suggest any councillor that votes for this deal will face some serious and deserved opposition come election time. It's time for this city council to start acting responsibly with taxpayer money. BTW, I have never written a council member before. On this issue, I'll join the protesters with picket signs in front of city hall. Taxpayers and business owners in this city have had enough.
Frank - 5 years ago
How about we agree to spend 224m and give me the extra one.
Scott - 5 years ago
With the skyrocketing business taxes in Calgary crushing employment opportunities everywhere, the last thing the city needs to do is dump hundreds of millions into a project like this. If the Cgy Sports Entertainment conglomerate wants it, work with the Stampede and build it yourselves.
Doug - 5 years ago
What is the accuracy of the estimate? Are all costs included and if so who verified they are? If the building costs more than budgeted who pays for the overages, are they split between the two parties? Who is leading the project and does this person have the skills to execute a project of this magnitude? Does this individual have the authority to properly execute the project or does he/she need to go back to council/flames for every paper clip? My gut tells me this is a low probability estimate which means we the tax payers will be on the hook for 100% of the overruns and that the overruns will be substantial.
I vote a NO!
This is just dumping $275 million plus into a rich person fantasyland.
Times are very difficult for so many in our city. It is despicable for city council to throw another 115 Calgarian families into financial turmoil and to cut essential services while at the same time insisting that we can afford a new arena. (The city just spent a great deal of money repairing and modernizing the Saddle Dome after the flood.) A new arena is not essential. The suggestion that money can't be moved from one pocket of the budget to another is a disingenuous smoke and mirrors show that's -- at best -- an insult to the public's intelligence. It's fungible. Government's move money from one budget to another all the time.
Regardless of public investment, us average calgarians won't have access to it. So don't expect to hold your charity bake sales there.
I've lived in this city my whole life as a true Calgarian ...take down the saddledome for a new area. Our city needs this, not just for hockey but also year round events!
When are the “ idiots “ that are in the going to learn ??? They are not the once flipping the bill ( if they had to make ends meet with $ 15,00 an hour they would think different ) , at the end the Flames and the corrupt assholes that are involve in the deal are the only once that are benefiting from it . The proper way to do this is lake any home buyer : the Flames , owner and construction company get a loan , pay for it and any Flame enthusiasts to go and see a game or any other show , concert goer , show goer , should pay and extra “ fee “ or tariff to get in there ; why should many other people pay for the benefit for a few ? This are not the right economic conditions to do this , cutting millions of dollars of good services of needed people for the benefit of a few rich people , Council and Mayor and city workers must get their pensions and benefits cut in half , that’s when We are going to save money , such a corruption and entitlement attitude , discussed by the way Canadians act , been a foreigner born Canadian citizen , always thought that Canadians would be more descent and respectful people : VERY DISAPPOINTING : SHAME TO ALL OF YOU
The city has failed to include the value of the property taxes that the Flames avoid by having City of Calgary as the owner of the facility. Lots of misleading accounting in the city info graphic.
Rediculus use of tax dollars. Where is private investment if this is such a good deal? They can’t balance the next year budget but spend our tax dollars on something most Calgarians will never use.
Bad idea, start by paying property taxes and support the rest.
This is a bad move. I say no, no ,no.
We have needed this for a long time. The Flames have done a lot to bring our city alive and provide for varies charities . Also we are loosing so many concerts etc. because our building is so old and the sound is ridiculous. It will be nice to have more room for people to attend events as well. I know it is a lot of money but will be worth it in the end.
There will always be a need for more money for schools, health care, transit, police and fire services but we can't continue to wait until the stars are all aligned to make these investments in our city. We've needed a field house for many years - Edmonton has 3 and even St Albert has 2 - while we still wait.. We miss out on hosting many global events because we don't have the facilities. We made a mark when we hosted the Olympics and for years the facilities were used to host world class events - but it appears that legacy will be lost due to aging infrastructure. We need to be bold and move forward rather than wringing our hands and crying woe is me. We've gone through economic downturns in the past and come through it and we will again. We can do this.
First of all I have to say I am in favor of a new Arena but:
WHY ARE WE RUSHING A $275 MILLION DEAL!??
Our property tax keeps going up. Businesses in downtown cannot operate with property tax hikes and now we throwing a sweet deal to very rich NHL owners of Flames. Why?
Why there is no public consultation on this? Why mayor hasn't made himself or anyone from his team available to answer questions?
A new Arena but at what cost?
Why am I expected to pay for half of the cost of a project that I will never enjoy? I am not a sports or concerts fan.
As a city we should talk about this a lot more than a week.
Nenshi's average tax increase was $112/year compared to $44/year by the last Mayor Bronconnier. We should cut Nenshi's wasteful spending so that we could afford nice things once in a while. The arena is a distraction from the existing wasteful spending by the city - which could have funded multiple arenas to put it into perspective.
This city has a spending problem and a crippled economy, yet here we are wanting to spend even more money. But why listen to common sense, let's just continue to ignore the issue and blindly spend more money on things we do not need.
Now is the time, if not now then when?? We are so hard to please...just get over it...and get it over with.
Why zero consultation from the public who will pay 300m for this? Why the rush?
Of course a new arena/events centre would be great for the city, but not when we can't even afford to pay for our police, firefighters and transit.
Why dont the flames pay for their own arena if its such a money making venture?
If this goes through, we can count on our property axes going up - even if they say they won't..
NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THIS. Since when an arena became more important than emergency services, jobs, transportation, etc. This is sooo SAD...
It's about time and build a new Football stadium at the same time please. Stampeders need a new Stadium too
Yes, About time. Calgarians made the mistake not to vote for the Olympic bid which would have brought improvements to the city. Don't make the same mistake twice!
Nenshi is still sore the Olympics didn't work out, so wants to rush consultation and minimize public influence. Municipalities waking up to the fact that public spending on professional sports venues rarely makes economic sense was so 5 years ago.
These politicians think the tax dollars supply is endless. Don't try know we are in a recession or so they believe Trudeau that all is rosy? You can't keep spend money you don't have and expect to improve things. It is basic math.
1 I think it is an absolutely terrible idea. We're cutting 60 million dollars from the budget, 7 million for fire 7 million for police almost three million for special needs Transit. And yet they can spend 277 million dollars on an arena for a losing hockey team.????????????
Overdue. Needed. Do now.
Bad idea. With the economic downturn in this city it is not the right time. Although the say
Taxpayers will not have to foot any of the expense...I will believe that when hell freezes
Over. Also how can they say they need to cut essential services (EMS, Transit
Fire and police) one week and the next week they want to spend money on a
new arena does not make good business sense. I guess ticket prices for hockey games and concerts
will skyrocket.
This may be a decent deal for an arena, but the timing is terrible! The city is currently cutting front line emergency services in order to save $60 million in the budget (non-residential property tax cut). At the same time, we are spending $270 million on an arena for an incredibly wealthy for-profit industry, for a team that barely even entered the latest playoff season (one lousy home game - thanks for the economic boost, boys). Most employees would be fired for that kind of performance, but the Flames get a fancy new arena. Meanwhile, the city's only solution to an obscene tax burden is to cut fire, police, and other critical services. Shameful.
I don't think this a good idea. The city has no qualifications to go into the hockey business. Enough with my wasting my money. Let private enterprise pick up the tab.
No, we don’t need to waste more money on something brand new that we don’t really need, that Peace bridge for example was already a waste of money.
We have an working arena, it’s not falling apart and it looks cool. Where else can you go to in the world to find a building that looks like a giant horse saddle? Nowhere to else I know of. I wish for future generation to appreciate that unique building.
Tearing down the Saddle Dome would be like destroying part of what makes the Calgary Stampede. Or even tearing down the Calgary Tower would be a ridiculous idea in itself, it’s part of what makes Calgary unique. It’s part of our history.
Anyway the economy is terrible right now so this whole deal sounds like a terrible idea, no thank you. Everything is way too expensive right now and we don’t need things getting more expensive. No way in heck would I waste money on it. Save money for something else that’s actually needed and useful.
100% ownership of a building they only pay 50% of the cost to built, and don't pay anything to maintain it. Sounds like a landlords dream. City should realize this and jump on the opportunity.
This could have been built as an olympic venue which the city wouldn't consider at the time and would have come with 4 billion dollars of investment in city facilities and infrastructure. Now that the city is really suffering we are now willing to throw hundreds of millions of dollars down the tubes on a single sports project of a type that has proven in the past in every city that has ever built a sports venue to never recoup it's investment. All to help an owner group consisting of billionaires and millionaires who could easily fund the project on their own instead of getting a welfare check from Calgary tax payers.
Yes ,I agree with getting the new building. It's not just hockey fans that will enjoyi it. Any big city needs to keep up.
This would have been great to get some funding for this and many other buildings that need help by hosting the Olympics.
You know what is really funny about all of this commotion. The Calgary Stampedes produce winnings all the time and you don't always see handout requests from them like this arena has in the past. Yet the Calgary Flames have not towed the line of winnings. In fact they have found it even difficult in making it to the playoffs. Like most business venues. If you cannot even produce the revenue, then no hand outs until you do. How many business ventures have you seen going bankrupt because the business cannot produce the revenue. Especially when the majority of tax payers do not attend the games. This is Nenshi's way. The taxpayer should pay for it ! They got lots of money in taxes !! Also the fact that Nenshi is doing this during the time of year when most people are on holidays is suspicious enough !! Do the poll the first week of October when most Calgarians are at home. Why isn't this poll being done like the Olympic Deal was done ? Because not everyone is reading the Sun Daily. They are probably away on vacation.
Love the deal!! People keep forgetting that the 60M budget cut has NOTHING to do with this deal. And everyone is complaining about the taxpayers funding half of the project, but without the revenue that the arena will provide the city over the next 35 years, you can expect the loss of revenues to be subsidized by more budget cuts and taxes. The city needs this now.
Love it!! FINALLY!! Will revitalize the whole area!! Look what the new rink in Edmonton has done for that city! We NEED IT ASAP!
Fully support the proposal! Good for everybody when we can attract big name talent to the city so that tourists want to come to Calgary and spend money while they are here!!!
Awesome plan on sharing the cost. Calgary should be able to build new arena if Edmonton was able to. Benefits Everybody in Calgary the way the flames spend on charities!! City needs a boost right now!!!!!
One more thought.....
Why only a week to review for the taxpayers? If it is such a good deal as Nenshi et al claim then wouldn't it still be a good deal in say a month from now? After all this will be a multi-year construction project with at a 35 year legacy to the taxpayers.
There are a lot of people away for the summer and heavily involved with their children during the summer break - shouldn't they be allowed a moment or two of sober thought?
“The deal is the deal. You don’t like the deal, vote against it,” says Coun. Shane Keating.
Well Mr. Keating you can kiss my butt right after Nenshi does.
Has anyone noticed that ANYTHING NENSHI TOUCHES turns bad really quick. Business tax, property tax, art installations/budget and the elephant in the room the Olympic bid!
He is trying so desperately to have a "legacy" to his time in office (which I firmly believe is coming to an end - Thankfully) Unfortunately he wants to stick us with the bill - spread out over the next 35 YEARS of course.
A deal of this size has obviously been worked on (behind the scenes) for quite some time and the taxpayers now only get a week to review and decide? How do we know if they've shown us everything - the Olympic bid process showed us quite clearly the Nenshi et al were withholding all sorts of facts from everyone on the hook. I don't trust Nenshi, nor the majority of city council and don't even get me started on that flim flam man Ken King. I've heard him speak and wouldn't trust him with my back turned. Promising the Flames won't leave for 35 years is a joke - no one can make that promise and who's to say we'll want them that long?
The last 3 -4 years of economic devastation to this city has NOT been met with any sort of "fiscal responsibility" or common sense what so ever. This city desperately needs new leadership that is held accountable to the taxpayers.
They cut $60 million to front line services that affect everyone but OK spending $275 million for a sports arena that only a few will utilize. And they roll out the deal mid summer when people are away, and give only 1 week for public input. What are they hiding? We can't afford this.
Nenshi is still mad we threw out his stupid Olympic idea, and now he gets his revenge, another private company takes tax dollars to the bank. Next in line will be the Stampeders, then the Lacrosse team, then a baseball team will materialize and ask for tax dollar help. Nenshi already knows he is out next election, maybe Voters should contact their Councillors, especially since many are new and want to keep riding the Calgary gravy train.
Hundreds of thousand of Albertans out of work and you pass them another bill. This is not the Alberts I know. Shockingly disappointing!
Taxpayers should not fund any portion of the capital cost as it would be a misappropriation of funds.Ownership of the “Flames” should fund the project.If the desire does not exist to do so, the ownership should,for example,do a share offering to raise the capital.The City of Calgary should not be some form of a “financial” institution for a commercial entity.The sports and entertainment industries are out of control and the proposal is another example to confirm it.
Taxpayers should not fund any portion of the capital cost as it would be a misappropriation of funds.Ownership of the “Flames” should fund the project.If the desire does not exist to do so, the ownership should,for example,do a share offering to raise the capital.The City of Calgary should not be some form of a “financial” institution for a commercial entity.The sports and entertainment industries are out of control and the proposal is another example to confirm it.
I really don’t think we need a new arena. An improved one, sure. I feel like the saddle dome is an iconic building for Calgary and to just demolish it and put some other building in it’s place, doesn’t make me want to support the athletics that use that venue. It’s already a lot of money to go to the games and it seems like it’s mainly the Flames complaining about it. If they want it then they should pay for it all with their ridiculous salaries. Why not maintain some history instead of just replacing it.
About time. This city keeps sitting on their and afraid to get things done. So about time. It will pay for its self fast once built
At this ti.e when the City is cutting their budget, we should not spend tax payers money to bail out the arena owners . There are cities that have not contributed to their cities, which are running efficiently, why can not the flames owners do the same. Where are the Conservatives who crush " socialist " when the city helps out for the "homeless or the poor. The cost will increase by 25% and the city will be on hook for a sum close the budget reduction.
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Most people talk about using tax dollars, but I will talk from a real fan's perspective. New arena will become dramatically less affordable for real fans to attend the game. On average ticket prices will shoot up by 30-50% and the capacity for inexpensive seats will be significantly reduced while lower bowl/suites will be expanded. So good bye nose bleed prices. This is bad news for the real fan. The constant complaint was long bathroom line ups. Well Edmonton has a new arena and that didn't help the problem in their last playoff run. The only people it won't affect are the current suite owners and first 13 rows of the lower bowl, but for sure the lower bowl will be expanded to the 2nd level up to maybe the 10th row and all the PL level seats will most likely vanish.They may have the top 5 rows as affordable seats only, while most other seats will be out of reach for the fans. With a new arena, most real fans will have to dig way way deeper to go to games.
Jeff Davision Nenshie and the flames owners are a disgrace to calgarians. For months, these sneaks have been operating behind closed doors and now tell the taxpaying citizens of calgary that we have 1 week to make a decision. Well guys you should shove that idea where the sun don't shine.
Absolutely not..
This is irresponsible in these economic times. City council is out of touch with reality.
The city has no business contemplating entering into a deal with the Calgary Flames in the current economic climate. As a business owner my taxes are skyrocketing...and I'm not offered any meaningful relief, much less a sweetheart deal like Nenshi and Co. and the Flames have engineered. Study after study shows municipalities derive little economic benefit funding stadiums...let the Flames figure out how to run their business without hundreds of millions of public dollars that should be spent elsewhere, or let them try to get a sweetheart deal in some other city. This will be a major election issue. Nenshi's days are already numbered, and I suggest any councillor that votes for this deal will face some serious and deserved opposition come election time. It's time for this city council to start acting responsibly with taxpayer money. BTW, I have never written a council member before. On this issue, I'll join the protesters with picket signs in front of city hall. Taxpayers and business owners in this city have had enough.
How about we agree to spend 224m and give me the extra one.
With the skyrocketing business taxes in Calgary crushing employment opportunities everywhere, the last thing the city needs to do is dump hundreds of millions into a project like this. If the Cgy Sports Entertainment conglomerate wants it, work with the Stampede and build it yourselves.
What is the accuracy of the estimate? Are all costs included and if so who verified they are? If the building costs more than budgeted who pays for the overages, are they split between the two parties? Who is leading the project and does this person have the skills to execute a project of this magnitude? Does this individual have the authority to properly execute the project or does he/she need to go back to council/flames for every paper clip? My gut tells me this is a low probability estimate which means we the tax payers will be on the hook for 100% of the overruns and that the overruns will be substantial.