Flames Arena Project
Costs Big – Billions Likely
If you own near Ninth Ave. and 16th St. West, your property value
may go up soon. A Calgary city report says a proposal to bring a new NHL and CFL stadium
to the city would likely cost much more than originally anticipated. What Do Taxpayers Get?
The CalgaryNEXT
project would span several blocks near the Bow River. It would include a
20,000-seat arena for hockey including an event centre for concerts, a
400-metre indoor track and a regulation CFL field, with seats for 30,000
football fans.
The Mayor is 'Cool'
The
report released recently states that a CalgaryNEXT arena-and-stadium project
could reach a price tag of $1.8 billion — with $1.3 on taxpayers' shoulders. Is
that fair? Everyone is weighing in on the decision. Calgary's Mayor Nenshi is
cool about it saying, "It's just an idea."
In a
statement, he said that they need to wait for the full report. It will provide
council with a better grasp on how to remediate creosote contamination in
the West Village area before proceeding with redevelopment. "Public
money must be used for public benefit."
The Other Argument
Many people
are in favour of the new sports complex arguing that both McMahon Stadium (built
1960's) and the Saddledome (built 1980's) are long past their best-before
dates. Many entertainment acts are giving Calgary a pass since they can't fit
their tech equipment under the Saddledome's slumping roof.
Calgary Flames President is 'Warm'
Brian
Burke, Calgary Flames president of hockey operations likes the project saying, "There's
absolutely no reason we should watch a new building going up in Edmonton and
we've got to play in a 1988 building here."
What do you think? Is this public
money being spent for public benefit? Should the billion-dollar decision be put
to the people? Do you want to live near the new stadium? Give Chris a call
#403-680-4479
E-mail:
chris@yourhomeinalberta.comWebsite: http://www.YourHomeInAlberta.com Website: http://www.liveinokotoks.com/
