[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by karl262

As for the building being worthless once it reaches the end of its life cycle, its absolutely true. When a new building is completed it will attract all of the concerts and special events on top of the Flames, Roughnecks and Hitmen games. With no events being held in the Saddledome it is a money loser and therefore worthless. It will be torn down soon after a new arena is built.

Referring to the link quoted in your post, I didn't know operating income was so low (1.1 mill), and I tried to google something to prove you wrong and got nothing (other than a previous year of 4.4 mill or something, but that was post playoff run). I would argue the NHLPA argument that teams don't disclose their true financial situation, but that is unproven.

However, while that was one of my points, the other was the building isn't at the end of its life-cycle. If you build a new one, yes tear it down, but I am advocating not building a new one because the existing still works. I really don't understand how you didn't pick up on that when I don't want tax dollars being spent on a new arena

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Go to Edmonton, Montreal or Saskatoon and all of a sudden our roads look really, really good.

Went to school in Edmonton, drove their roads, and I don't consider them the minimum standard. Also, roads were just an example, if we want provincial funding, throw that money into mental health programs, therefore helping to clean up our streets and really help people.

These facilities are happening in every other major Canadian city so why do Calgarians not have any civic pride?

I don't consider the inside of a stadium the number one way to measure civic pride (I consider the outside of the 'reverse' saddledome nice). I am just as proud to be from Calgary as anyone I know, so much so I annoy friends.

Part of this is due to all the transplants that have come here to make their money and bolt back east when they make their fortune and part of this is due to the extreme need of many in this city to own a house they can barely afford and lease BMWs to look the part that need every penny available to keep up with the Joneses. Well I want the transplants to contribute to this city before they take their money and run and since I plan on sticking around I have no qualms with contributing to keeping this city world class.

Well being born (holy cross hospital) and raised in Calgary , only leaving for a university degree, I simply disagree. I plan on making my life here, and have my career here. All the 'transplants' I know and worked with love this city and want to make it better. This really makes no sense, the 'transplants' will pay whatever taxes they owe, if its spent on a stadium or an LRT line, it really has no bearing on they amount of taxes they pay....This made no sense at all.

As for the need to own a BMW to look the part, how is spending money on long term city infrastructure instead of a new sports stadium not exactly opposite of what you are advocating, and not supporting my argument? I just don't think this entire paragraph really had any relevance here.

Just remember it's not Calgary's right to have an NHL franchise, it's a privilege. You tell the Flames owners to stick it and they may tell you to stick it and sell the team.

Karl's link proved it, owing a NHL franchise in a profitable city isn't a right either, the owners can 'stick it' for another ten years before we have this discussion, the team isn't moving anywhere. I think we have great owners, and again, don't blame them for trying for free money, but I am not willing to hand it out yet.