No tax money should be used to subsidize the project. The choice of the location is also bad, IMHO, considering the danger from the flood and space for parking.
Doug - 9 years ago
This is a great deal for the citizens of Calgary. The city needs a fieldhouse badly and the taxpayers should pay for it. Cities 1/5th the size of Calgary have a fieldhouse and Edmonton has 2. Money well spent and money is very cheap right now. The impact for all sorts of amateur sport organization would be immense.
As for the Creosote, this is Calgary's problem and it needs to be addressed. Canada Creosote was bought out by Domtar and Domtar still exists elsewhere. The damage was done starting in the 1920"s. Domtar no longer is an entity in Alberta an we are on the hook whether we like it or not. Creosote is showing up in test wells on the other side of the river in West Hillhurst. It needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
The Flames organization putting $200M into the pot for a city asset is a huge commitment. They would manage the facility and may even make some money on it. As for the CRL, once the $240M is recouped the city benefits from increased tax revenue from the area. The $250M from ticket buyers is user pay money.
When the project is completed the city owns a Billion dollar world class facility by investing $200M. The LRT is right there and would be attached to the facility. That is the only good thing you can say about Rexall in Edmonton; is it is right on the LRT line. Both McMahon and the Saddledome are not. When it is -20C it becomes a factor. Downtown sport facilities do impact tax revenue to municipalities in a very positive way and generally pay for the city's investment and more (there is no guarantee though). Suburban facilities don't and never will. Worst case scenario is the Flames build a facility outside city limits and the city gets nothing but would be impacted by it's citizens using city roadways to get to it.
World class cities thoughout North American and elsewhere build world class facilities. Calgary is a world class city without some thing and this project completes the picture.
I, like many Calgarians, do have a vested interest in this project as I am a season ticket holder for the Stamps. I can't wait to go to a November playoff game and sit in comfort instead of freezing. I'm in my sixties now and I hope to be able to do so before I die. I am also hoping to see a completed ring road which was first discussed in 1955 when I was born here. I am crossing my fingers we do the right thing.
Steve - 9 years ago
While I believe Calgary is in desperate need of new facilities for professional and amateur sports, I do not believe that we have the best approach when it comes to using tax payers money to pay for a portion of it.
One of the biggest mistakes that governments make every time with tax payers and the tax dollars we provide is that they do not consult with the tax payers to see if they support the idea of using tax dollars for projects like this.
CD - 9 years ago
We don't need to spend public money on sports stadiums right next to the river! The plans need to include flood mitigation/protection for itself and downstream or forget it.
Not impressed - 9 years ago
This amount of money could be.used for many other facilities, more lower income homes, for the homeless, abused women, donations to the food bank, it sickens me to watch 890 million go to sports when so many other funding is needed.elsewhere.... as a sports fan and as a tax payer i would rather my hard earned money go to what has been needed for so long... not impressed where my money would go!
Marcella goulet - 9 years ago
I am a senior and am totally against this facility . Money should come from owner Ken king like other businesses they don't beg for our tax dollars . My house taxes were increased this year if the city has all the money to pay for this they should consider the seniors who struggle to keep their home . Some have to work to make ends meet at 80 yrs old .taxes .hydro. Gas. House insurance . Groceries all increased no one went to. Global news to ask for help .money . No. No. No. Not tax money for someone to live high as he owns the Flames enough is enough
JIM - 9 years ago
Hey Chris, obviously you do not like anything about Calgary so maybe you need to relocate to somewhere where you will be happy. Sorry your life is so frustrating.
Calgary is in desperate need of new facilities for both amateur and professional sport. The proposed plan will not solve all of the needs but it will definitely help a little bit. A facility like this will help bring in world class concerts, events and the hope is to possibly land a MLS team which i would definitely support. It is my understanding that the City of Calgary will own these facilities so it is not like the money is going to the Flames organization directly.
People tend to forget the economic benefit pro sports, concerts and other events bring to Calgary. The money this puts into our city is huge and without them, there would be higher unemployment.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Personally i think the facilities are a little undersized but will wait to judge once more concrete plans are available. This is great for Calgary and for the people who live here. As a season ticket holder of the Flames, I'm willing to help pay for the cost of this facility through a tax to my ticket price.
Chris - 9 years ago
Almost $1 billion for a new sports complex and Ken King only tells a certain select few season ticket holders. Well then your select few can pay for the damn thing because most of Calgary wont even get close to using it. 50% of the cost is wrapped up in 'creative terms' like 'Community Revitalization Levy' whatever the hell that is, and the 'City Fieldhouse', (why do they always break out the creative terms when they want money from elsewhere?) meaning taxpayers will field most of the cost. We're in a recession here in AB Mr King, why dont you and your royalty pony up if you so direly need this project. It should be costing half of that with all your 'projected savings' from having a common site and the weak labour market.
"CalgaryNEXT organizers said the project will not raise property taxes." Yeah right!
Oh yeah, and this doesnt even include an estimated $300 million to clean up the site in the first place because it used to be a toxic creosote company and it was never cleaned up properly in the first place. Not to mention yet another 5 years of traffic nightmare coming into DT from the west side. This after the bust they call the West LRT that nobody wanted and we're already going to be suffering from the ring road project out here.
Does this city ever have a brilliant plan???
Lillian Hanson - 9 years ago
Not enough space. Everything that is built in Calgary is short of Parking Spaces and narrow stalls. People who spend money on Seasons Tickets, usually drive larger vehicles. Need lots of parking. It is o.k., to leave your car at work in your parkade, but if you live out of town (which more people do than they think), then it is hard to find parking at the LRT lots and if you can't walk like my husband, you need to go by car and need a Handi Cap space - and the population is getting older.
Also afraid ticket prices will go up so high to cover the building costs, that the average person will not be able to attend. It looks like it is for the rich!
Should look at land further out, where traffic not so congested and land is cheaper. I think this space is only half big enough. Maybe something off of Stoney Trail & Crowchild -- LRT is close there. When doing it, do it right the first time.
L.Hanson
Marvin - 9 years ago
I hope the planners have taken into consideration the fact we had a major flood just 2 years ago. Probably should have flood mitigation upstream done at same time stadium is completed. Have the local homeowners been consulted. Looks like sports complex will be very close to them.
No tax money should be used to subsidize the project. The choice of the location is also bad, IMHO, considering the danger from the flood and space for parking.
This is a great deal for the citizens of Calgary. The city needs a fieldhouse badly and the taxpayers should pay for it. Cities 1/5th the size of Calgary have a fieldhouse and Edmonton has 2. Money well spent and money is very cheap right now. The impact for all sorts of amateur sport organization would be immense.
As for the Creosote, this is Calgary's problem and it needs to be addressed. Canada Creosote was bought out by Domtar and Domtar still exists elsewhere. The damage was done starting in the 1920"s. Domtar no longer is an entity in Alberta an we are on the hook whether we like it or not. Creosote is showing up in test wells on the other side of the river in West Hillhurst. It needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
The Flames organization putting $200M into the pot for a city asset is a huge commitment. They would manage the facility and may even make some money on it. As for the CRL, once the $240M is recouped the city benefits from increased tax revenue from the area. The $250M from ticket buyers is user pay money.
When the project is completed the city owns a Billion dollar world class facility by investing $200M. The LRT is right there and would be attached to the facility. That is the only good thing you can say about Rexall in Edmonton; is it is right on the LRT line. Both McMahon and the Saddledome are not. When it is -20C it becomes a factor. Downtown sport facilities do impact tax revenue to municipalities in a very positive way and generally pay for the city's investment and more (there is no guarantee though). Suburban facilities don't and never will. Worst case scenario is the Flames build a facility outside city limits and the city gets nothing but would be impacted by it's citizens using city roadways to get to it.
World class cities thoughout North American and elsewhere build world class facilities. Calgary is a world class city without some thing and this project completes the picture.
I, like many Calgarians, do have a vested interest in this project as I am a season ticket holder for the Stamps. I can't wait to go to a November playoff game and sit in comfort instead of freezing. I'm in my sixties now and I hope to be able to do so before I die. I am also hoping to see a completed ring road which was first discussed in 1955 when I was born here. I am crossing my fingers we do the right thing.
While I believe Calgary is in desperate need of new facilities for professional and amateur sports, I do not believe that we have the best approach when it comes to using tax payers money to pay for a portion of it.
One of the biggest mistakes that governments make every time with tax payers and the tax dollars we provide is that they do not consult with the tax payers to see if they support the idea of using tax dollars for projects like this.
We don't need to spend public money on sports stadiums right next to the river! The plans need to include flood mitigation/protection for itself and downstream or forget it.
This amount of money could be.used for many other facilities, more lower income homes, for the homeless, abused women, donations to the food bank, it sickens me to watch 890 million go to sports when so many other funding is needed.elsewhere.... as a sports fan and as a tax payer i would rather my hard earned money go to what has been needed for so long... not impressed where my money would go!
I am a senior and am totally against this facility . Money should come from owner Ken king like other businesses they don't beg for our tax dollars . My house taxes were increased this year if the city has all the money to pay for this they should consider the seniors who struggle to keep their home . Some have to work to make ends meet at 80 yrs old .taxes .hydro. Gas. House insurance . Groceries all increased no one went to. Global news to ask for help .money . No. No. No. Not tax money for someone to live high as he owns the Flames enough is enough
Hey Chris, obviously you do not like anything about Calgary so maybe you need to relocate to somewhere where you will be happy. Sorry your life is so frustrating.
Calgary is in desperate need of new facilities for both amateur and professional sport. The proposed plan will not solve all of the needs but it will definitely help a little bit. A facility like this will help bring in world class concerts, events and the hope is to possibly land a MLS team which i would definitely support. It is my understanding that the City of Calgary will own these facilities so it is not like the money is going to the Flames organization directly.
People tend to forget the economic benefit pro sports, concerts and other events bring to Calgary. The money this puts into our city is huge and without them, there would be higher unemployment.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Personally i think the facilities are a little undersized but will wait to judge once more concrete plans are available. This is great for Calgary and for the people who live here. As a season ticket holder of the Flames, I'm willing to help pay for the cost of this facility through a tax to my ticket price.
Almost $1 billion for a new sports complex and Ken King only tells a certain select few season ticket holders. Well then your select few can pay for the damn thing because most of Calgary wont even get close to using it. 50% of the cost is wrapped up in 'creative terms' like 'Community Revitalization Levy' whatever the hell that is, and the 'City Fieldhouse', (why do they always break out the creative terms when they want money from elsewhere?) meaning taxpayers will field most of the cost. We're in a recession here in AB Mr King, why dont you and your royalty pony up if you so direly need this project. It should be costing half of that with all your 'projected savings' from having a common site and the weak labour market.
"CalgaryNEXT organizers said the project will not raise property taxes." Yeah right!
Oh yeah, and this doesnt even include an estimated $300 million to clean up the site in the first place because it used to be a toxic creosote company and it was never cleaned up properly in the first place. Not to mention yet another 5 years of traffic nightmare coming into DT from the west side. This after the bust they call the West LRT that nobody wanted and we're already going to be suffering from the ring road project out here.
Does this city ever have a brilliant plan???
Not enough space. Everything that is built in Calgary is short of Parking Spaces and narrow stalls. People who spend money on Seasons Tickets, usually drive larger vehicles. Need lots of parking. It is o.k., to leave your car at work in your parkade, but if you live out of town (which more people do than they think), then it is hard to find parking at the LRT lots and if you can't walk like my husband, you need to go by car and need a Handi Cap space - and the population is getting older.
Also afraid ticket prices will go up so high to cover the building costs, that the average person will not be able to attend. It looks like it is for the rich!
Should look at land further out, where traffic not so congested and land is cheaper. I think this space is only half big enough. Maybe something off of Stoney Trail & Crowchild -- LRT is close there. When doing it, do it right the first time.
L.Hanson
I hope the planners have taken into consideration the fact we had a major flood just 2 years ago. Probably should have flood mitigation upstream done at same time stadium is completed. Have the local homeowners been consulted. Looks like sports complex will be very close to them.