Generally, taxpayers should stay away from public funding of arena's or at least play a more minor role.
Coincidentally, in the New York Times a few days ago, this headline: "As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On" with the well-established evidence from 40 some years of funding such facilities clearly showing taxpayers getting hosed. Required reading for anyone supporting public investment in a new arena in Quebec City . . . . or Calgary frankly.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sp...es%20on&st=cse
Cowperson