Ken King; Flames Ownership no longer pursuing new arena in Calgary

[Mr Positive]

What's funny to me is that if you lean left, you should want a corporation to pay for their own arena. And if you lean right, you should want a government to not waste taxpayer money on sports.

Everyone should be agreeing with Nenshi but they don't because politics is more like sports than ever before. You're either against for fear of losing the Flames, or you support a corporation to take your tax money because you trust them over local government

I'd think most people aren't left or right, but want their lives to be better, and will vote along those lines. Also, considering that in a democracy the lower and middle classes have most of the votes, it's always the easy answer to turn it into an "us vs billionaire" narrative.

I could be the victim of propaganda, but to me I see some validity to the argument that the smaller a city is, the more public funds are needed to justify a big project. It's not just about the Flames either, but about all other concert events as well. I'd bet the 100% private funded arenas are booked and filled more often, and have higher ticket prices.

 

[SgtToody]

In that case!

One of the reasons why I think Nenshi and council have to go is they seem to be out of gas and ideas. Even the best leaders reach a point where they need to move on and Nenshi, for one seems to be at that point. What's happened with the arena issue is that he has a new toy that really plays to his strength (He's an economist). This seems to have given him the new life he needs to continue. A broken clock can be right twice a day and for Nenshi this seems to be one of those two times. His main competitor could really make it tougher for him but that doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. Bill Smith (At least from what I've read he's second in the race) doesn't want to say much publicly about the arena and he doesn't want to reveal his donor list (Which Nenshi has done). I would bet money that Flames owners are on that list or hovering very close to those who are.

If Nenshi had a stale-dated agenda heading into the election, King and Bettman just made him look refresh. Those 2 selfish tools will ensure the guy standing up for Calgary taxpayers, as opposed to the 2 holding their hands out for subsidized rich playpen, gets the last laugh. King will have to crawl back to the negotiation table, which by all reports Nenshi and Co. have handled like the skilled politicians they are.
Funny how a lot of King's supporters, the vast majority of them, are the rightwing faction that decry public funds for schools, health care and roads, too.

 

[smytty]

With Jagr signed on, all of a sudden the Dome doesn't seem so old

 

[Ernie]

heh, seems like Calgary bought themselves a much needed PR boost.

 

[Fenway]

The Globe and Mail obtained documents on what the Flames want

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.

 

[Mackenzie King]

You don't get more greedy than that. Nenshi will win the election and with the population on his side, CSEC will have to take a more reasonable approach.

The Leafs and the Canadiens paid their arena themselves. Calgary doesn't have to cave like Edmonton did

 

[Killion]

^^^ Wow!. That is really over the top. Beyond brazen.

 

[PatrikOverAuston]

You don't get more greedy than that. Nenshi will win the election and with the population on his side, CSEC will have to take a more reasonable approach.

LOL, except Nenshi is down by 17 points in this week's polls to the guy who actually does have the common sense to bring Calgary's cultural and entertainment industry into this century.

Can't wait until that fool is punted to the curb.

 

[New User Name]

^^^ Wow!. That is really over the top. Beyond brazen.

And pushed by King Dickhead AKA Gary Bettman

 

[Mike Jones]

LOL, except Nenshi is down by 17 points in this week's polls to the guy who actually does have the common sense to bring Calgary's cultural and entertainment industry into this century.

Can't wait until that fool is punted to the curb.

You're obviously not a city taxpayer or Stampede attendee. These demands are nothing short of repulsive. As a city taxpayer I am disgusted that city negotiators didn't throw King and his entourage out of the room when we submitted this list. I am extremely worried about having Bill Smith as the new mayor because all indications are that he is close to Flames' owners and they obviously have no respect for those of us who pay the bills.

If Bill had any regard for this city he would release his list of donors and come clean on where he stands on the whole new arena thing.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

jeez, really not trying to hide it, eh

 

[dechire]

"I think fans come to see the games and watch the great things our athletes do. I'm not sure they want to come for an evening of politics."

 

[Mightygoose]

jeez, really not trying to hide it, eh

Brilliant!

This pic needs to be sent to Mr. King and Mr. Bettman with the caption.

So you're not trying to influence the election, right? The scoreboard is the world's largest donor list

As for what the G & M dug up, though it's not their most current proposal, it seems close enough.

I've always thought items like the city paying for security and transit are things to be taken off as they get closer to a deal, should they do so....therefore the Flames are making 'concessions'.

Otherwise if Smith wins, he would only be one vote much like Nenshi so could he really tip the scales that much.

 

[Mike Jones]

jeez, really not trying to hide it, eh

Disgusting. And Smith claims he has no ties to the Flames. Sorry Bill but a lot of voters are going to hold their noses this election and do something they promised never to do again.

 

[Killion]

^^^ Wow! Definitely a 1st. Nothing subtle about that huh? Incredible.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

Wow, no shame at all. King and co and can go get bent.

 

[GuelphStormer]

jeez, really not trying to hide it, eh

Looks bad for sure, but it could just be a paid ad. Im assuming they sell space on the scoreboard for McDonalds and Nike and presumably, Nenshi too, if he were to want to pay to advertise there, non?

If not, then yeah, this is indeed pretty bad.

 

[Hoser]

Maybe it was paid for; if so how much of a sweetheart deal did they give the Smith campaign for that ad space? A significant discount I'm sure.

Bill Smith—former president of the Progressive Conservative party—is a bought-and-paid-for shill.

LOL, except Nenshi is down by 17 points in this week's polls to the guy who actually does have the common sense to bring Calgary's cultural and entertainment industry into this century.

Can't wait until that fool is punted to the curb.

LOL, a poll that outside of Postmedia's blantantly biased editorials is being seriously questioned for its accuracy.

 

[Mike Jones]

Looks bad for sure, but it could just be a paid ad.

It's a pretty pricey add if his campaign did pay for it - which makes me want to see his donor list all the more.

 

[donghabs98]

It's a pretty pricey add if his campaign did pay for it - which makes me want to see his donor list all the more.

It also raises the question of if the flames followed him a cheaper rate for that type of ad because even for a candidate with lots of money that's not a easy expenses.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

The Globe and Mail obtained documents on what the Flames want

What a brutal proposal.

Disgusting. And Smith claims he has no ties to the Flames. Sorry Bill but a lot of voters are going to hold their noses this election and do something they promised never to do again.

What do you dislike so much about Nenshi?

 

[Mike Jones]

What a brutal proposal.



What do you dislike so much about Nenshi?

Bad decision making and poor leadership. Arrogance. Shortsightedness. The usual stuff you'd see in a tired politician who needs a change. Politicians seem to have a shelf life and Nenshi is one who has hit his. The only problem is that he seems to be up against someone who could send the city down the dumper with this new arena proposal. We may have to make do with Nenshi another term and that presents some serious risks.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

Bad decision making and poor leadership. Arrogance. Shortsightedness. The usual stuff you'd see in a tired politician who needs a change. Politicians seem to have a shelf life and Nenshi is one who has hit his. The only problem is that he seems to be up against someone who could send the city down the dumper with this new arena proposal. We may have to make do with Nenshi another term and that presents some serious risks.

You give no actual answers here.

What are some specific reasons for railing against Nenshi

 

[Mike Jones]

You give no actual answers here.

What are some specific reasons for railing against Nenshi

Read my post again - from the start this time. I'll add some more here: Midfield Trailer park closure. Unsustainable tax increases. Over development. Destruction of the green space around Canada Olympic Park (Paskapoo Slopes). Etc. Etc.

How's that?

 

[RobBrown4PM]

Read my post again - from the start this time. I'll add some more here: Midfield Trailer park closure. Unsustainable tax increases. Over development. Destruction of the green space around Canada Olympic Park (Paskapoo Slopes). Etc. Etc.

How's that?

While I don't agree with midfield being shut down, the topic and the momentum behind it has existed for 15+ years. Nenshi could have have dealt witg the aftermath better, but his hands were more or less tied by the beauracracy of it all.

The tax increases you're talking about originate in part because of the urban sprawl, something Nenshi has actively fought against.

The area around COP (I live in the area) served no purpose other than being a glorified lawn that wasn't being used for anything. Having lived in the area for 30 years, I can count on one hand how many times I have seen people use that area. The area around COP has been badly mismanaged economically. The area has been ripe for decades for economic improvement, but the infrastructure was never there to support it. Finally, that infrastructure is being built and it will bring massive economic growth to the area.