Calgary city council approves arena deal (UPD: new deal upcoming?)

[member 157595]

This again? Wish Bettman could come up with something new than just stealing tax payers money.

If someone is stupid enough to buy something for you, why pay for it yourself?

 

[BKIslandersFan]

If they are going to use tax money here is what I propose. Sin tax. Tax alcohol, cigarettes, whatever. Use that to fund the arena and after that whatever province needs.

Well I presume they already do tax those things so tax hike would be more proper.

 

[Fenway]

When it comes to an arena (or stadium) there is a paradox. If there was a certainty the structure would make money, owners would build them on their own. Every market is different but as a general rule, there are only a handful of cities where that is the case.

The Saddledome needs to be retired, nobody can really argue that point as there simply are not enough seats in the far more lucrative bowl compared to every other arena in the league. But the current economic situation in Alberta muddles things.

 

[End on a Hinote]

If they are going to use tax money here is what I propose. Sin tax. Tax alcohol, cigarettes, whatever. Use that to fund the arena and after that whatever province needs.

Well I presume they already do tax those things so tax hike would be more proper.

Booze and cigs are already notoriously overpriced in Canada so it would be a good chunk of tax dollars too.

 

[Llama19]

'We were going to make mistakes': Council vote hints at fault lines on arena negotiations

Source: calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/we-were-going-to-make-mistakes-council-vote-hints-at-fault-lines-on-arena-negotiations

 

[Llama19]

Arena talks back on the agenda at City Hall

To quote:

"City councillors received an information package just before the weekend that outlines some information on funding for a new arena in the core and they are meeting behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the proposal.

Council is expected to vote on the terms for a $600 million events centre before they take it to the Calgary Flames for consideration."

Source (with Video): calgary.ctvnews.ca/arena-talks-back-on-the-agenda-at-city-hall-1.4321425

 

[Bookie21]

Arena talks back on the agenda at City Hall

To quote:

"City councillors received an information package just before the weekend that outlines some information on funding for a new arena in the core and they are meeting behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the proposal.

Council is expected to vote on the terms for a $600 million events centre before they take it to the Calgary Flames for consideration."

Source (with Video): calgary.ctvnews.ca/arena-talks-back-on-the-agenda-at-city-hall-1.4321425

You'd think the Flames would have a seat at the table.........oh right, I forgot that buffoon Nenshi burned that bridge down.

 

[LadyStanley]

Hmmmmmm $1.5B

 

[Mightygoose]

Hmmmmmm $1.5B

Doesn't say how much of the 1.5 billion is going to the event centre/arena.

Funds also set aside for the BMO Centre Expansion, Arts Commons Expansion and the Field House.

Also wonder if CRL money is included in this figure. Seems like the city portion of the event centre will be a 'flexible amount' during negotiations with CSEC

 

[GuelphStormer]

... because these billion dollar, close session, secret financing schemes always work out, right? ...

 

[CorbeauNoir]

More integrated oil companies will. Duh.

Which? The ones that haven't already left are making clear signs that they're transitioning their investments elsewhere, in case our city's vacancy rates haven't already clued you in on that. Who is going to want to anyway when there's cheaper, more viable sources to extract in other countries that have nowhere near as many scruples as Ottawa does about the red tape needed to extract it or, christ forbid, transport it someplace where it can be sold?

 

[2023FriendshipTour]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-flames-new-arena-deal-1.5217783

Looks like it's going to get done! Now Calgary will get the good concerts Edmonton are getting.

 

[Mightygoose]

Sounds like it's more of a proposal to be presented to council on Monday according to the article.

To quote
"It's not a deal at this particular point, there's still lots of steps to go through. It's really a proposal and we'll be giving an update," Sutherland said."

Also says, if it's within the financial framework, doesn't see a reason why it won't be acceptable.

Definition of financial framework TBD but it appears there's major progress.

Calgary Flames reach tentative deal with city for new arena - Sportsnet.ca

Eric Francis says in the above Flames will contribute more than what Katz did in Edmonton (can't imbed a tweet for some reason), of course no dollar figures given right now.

 

[2023FriendshipTour]

Sounds like it's more of a proposal to be presented to council on Monday according to the article.

To quote
"It's not a deal at this particular point, there's still lots of steps to go through. It's really a proposal and we'll be giving an update," Sutherland said."

Also says, if it's within the financial framework, doesn't see a reason why it won't be acceptable.

Definition of financial framework TBD but it appears there's major progress.

Calgary Flames reach tentative deal with city for new arena - Sportsnet.ca

Eric Francis says in the above Flames will contribute more than what Katz did in Edmonton (can't imbed a tweet for some reason), of course no dollar figures given right now.

Edmonton's core was in dire need of revitalization, so you'd think Katz had more leverage there.

 

[McDLT]

Looks like the city will own the arena, but the flames will pay for (most of) it. Sort of a logical middle ground between where both sides were 2 years ago.

 

[HisIceness]

Good luck to them if true. I'm rooting for them!

I've been to the Saddledome, it was outdated in 2002. I applaud the Flames for sticking it out in that barn but it's time to upgrade.

 

[Brent Burns Beard]

Looks like the city will own the arena, but the flames will pay for (most of) it. Sort of a logical middle ground between where both sides were 2 years ago.

Ahh no. The city will pay for it and it’s maintenance. The Flames will run it and keep all the proceeds.

 

[SeanConn]

Good luck to them if true. I'm rooting for them!

I've been to the Saddledome, it was outdated in 2002. I applaud the Flames for sticking it out in that barn but it's time to upgrade.

Saddledome is a landmark of Calgary, and it should absolutely not be torn down. I'm all for the Flames getting a new arena, but not if that means demolishing Saddledome. People have no respect for architecture and legacy.

 

[TheLegend]

Looks like the city will own the arena, but the flames will pay for (most of) it. Sort of a logical middle ground between where both sides were 2 years ago.

Ahh no. The city will pay for it and it’s maintenance. The Flames will run it and keep all the proceeds.

Do either of you have a link to something that has information which supports your position or are you both just spitballing here??

 

[HisIceness]

Saddledome is a landmark of Calgary, and it should absolutely not be torn down. I'm all for the Flames getting a new arena, but not if that means demolishing Saddledome. People have no respect for architecture and legacy.

I never said they had to tear it down. Time to upgrade means new building, they can keep the Saddledome for Stampedes or whatever else.

 

[viper0220]

Saddledome is a landmark of Calgary, and it should absolutely not be torn down. I'm all for the Flames getting a new arena, but not if that means demolishing Saddledome. People have no respect for architecture and legacy.

I think last time, tearing down the Saddledome, was part of the deal.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

 

[Mightygoose]

Council will be meeting behind closed doors this afternoon/early evening to discuss and vote to make the deal public.

If they give that greenlight, the article mentions the public will have about a week to weigh in. IIRC the next council meeting is July 29. The last one before summer break so this could be moving fast.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

To those who say "don't tear down the Saddledome"....well arenas area very expensive to maintain. The break even point is about 225 events a year. Doubt if Calgary can financially support two arenas.

When any arena or stadium is discussed, the "who pays" is always a concern. And it isn't necessarily the expense of the initial building, it's the expense of the daily maintenance which is the argument among teams and the cities.
The main reason the City of Toronto "gifted" the Skydome to Rogers, is the city decided it didn't wan the negative gross income by owning/running the Skydome.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Gotta laugh at all the savants in this thread who bought into Gary and Kings rhetoric that the Flames were ever in danger of moving.