Oh come on. Edmonton had some dynamics in play the Calgary simply doesn't.
"Edmonton is the clear example of this. I mean, clearly, so much of Edmonton's flagging, sad, little ego is tied up in their hockey success that they needed to sign a scam of a deal to give a sweetheart arena over to (Oilers owner) Darryl Katz. And now all of a sudden the expectation is that Calgary is going to fall in line?"
"I'm afraid we're not that pathetic," she said. "We're just not that pathetic, as a city."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-political-panel-flames-nhl-bettman-arena-1.4313740?
The partnership that owns the Calgary Flames proposed a deal for a new arena that would give the private company a chance to transform into the real estate developer for a potentially lucrative new community, according to documents obtained by The Globe and Mail.
Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. (CSEC), which owns the Flames and other sports teams, made its first arena offer to the city in a letter and two-page list of terms Feb. 21. The documents provide a glimpse of the club's vision for a complex more extensive than just an arena.
As part of the proposal, the Flames' owners insisted on receiving an option to buy and develop land near the events complex, a slice of the Stampede Casino's revenue, all parking revenue from major events it would manage at the events complex and other goodies. The demands included the city of Calgary covering the cost of flood insurance, reimbursing the club for all provincial property taxes that may be imposed on the facilities, and requiring local ratepayers to pick up the bill for a public gathering place suitable for festivals next to the arena.
The documents underscore how the multimillion-dollar arena negotiations are – for both camps – about far more than a concrete structure in Victoria Park, an underdeveloped zone east of Calgary's downtown.
If Calgary acquiesced to the terms, for example, it would give some of Canada's wealthiest men business opportunities in part thanks to financial support from taxpayers. Further, some of the sticking points would affect the Calgary Stampede's balance sheet. The Stampede, which hosts the city's famous 10-day festival and other events, is a not-for-profit organization and parking and gambling revenue are important to its operation.
"Our proposals in the enclosed term sheet outline the minimum requirements for a robust competitive sports environment and the infrastructure needed to compete on the world stage from an entertainment perspective," Ken King, president of CSEC, said in the letter.
Any deal that is "not consistent" with the Flames' demands would be "a disappointment and would create an untenable environment," Mr. King wrote. The city rejected the deal.
I still like my idea. Have every citizen in Calgary, over the age of 18 pay a $25 tax. There’s your arena.
$25 a year for 4 years. Make that $100m, a portion the city doesn't get to recoup and then allow them to recoup whatever else they invest.That would only raise about $25M though. To raise $550M, it’s about $550 a person.
That would only raise about $25M though.
$25 a year for 4 years. Make that $100m, a portion the city doesn't get to recoup and then allow them to recoup whatever else they invest.
As you know I believe the city should contribute something without gains. Not as much as the Flames are asking for, but something.What a great deal.. for the flames.
It looks as though Smith will be elected mayor, and then the Flames ownership will get exactly what they are after. Everything else is pretty moot.
I would assume that is a paid advertisement.Not trying to influence the election, definitely not.
I would assume that is a paid advertisement.
I have my doubts that Nenshi would ever try to buy that ad space. Don't get me wrong, the Flames are full of shit when they say they aren't trying to influence the election, but it would be worse if they came out and said they were playing politics IMO because at least by denying it people can lie to themselves if they want to.I'm sure they would sell that ad-space to Nenshi.
I have my doubts that Nenshi would ever try to buy that ad space. Don't get me wrong, the Flames are full of **** when they say they aren't trying to influence the election, but it would be worse if they came out and said they were playing politics IMO because at least by denying it people can lie to themselves if they want to.
Oh I'm sure they are intelligent enough to cover their tracks and have him pay for it. Even if there are donations from Flames owners larger than the cost of the ads.The issue with this is that because Bill Smith hasn't released his donor list, we can't assume that he even 'paid' for the ad space.
The City has put a pretty substantial offer on the table, actually.heaven forbid you put some dough down for a pretty substantial part of this city's identity.
Nenshi quite happy to drop $400 mill on a tunnel used by maybe 5% of the population but heaven forbid you put some dough down for a pretty substantial part of this city's identity.
I don't think they should be footing the bill and there's obviously a middle ground to be found but by all accounts this negotiation has be anything but.