[Scary Eloranta]

Originally Posted by macrov

I dont think this is the issue. I think the problem is two fold:

1) An arena doesn't make sense for the flames to do by themselves. At a $400mln price tag, the additional revenues don't justify the costs. Even with a new arena fee tacked on to each ticket, even with the additional luxury boxes, even with lower operating costs, the Flames need subsidies worth $100mln + free land to make a new arena feesible.

2) Nenshi has been adamant about covering none of the cost. Nor should the city. Not to be classist, but the arena does tend to serve the upper-middle and upper class of flames society. Its not people in forest lawn and white horn that have season tickets and pay $200 so their kids can go sing "Baby Baby Baby Ohh" with the Biebs. Why the government should subsidize that is beyond me. Maybe back in the day when tickets were $10 and accessible to all, but its not that world anymore. This is the world of millionaires in mount royal and corporate executives.

3) Reading the comments from Ken King over the years, and now Brian Burke, my feeling was that they were really hoping that their "free land" and 100mln in subsidies would look like nothing compared to amount Edmonton is subsidizing their circus act. And they're pulling out a lot of stops to get public support:
- "We need it to attract good players"
- "Its not just about hockey fans, we need it for concerts"
-"This franchise is all about giving back to the community"
-"If the players don't serve the public, they'll be gone"
- "sports facilities are distinctly different from franchises, with the venues offering broad appeal and use to the public."
- "hope to access public support — be it infrastructure, direct funding or some other form — when the time comes."

Basically, without public funding or a $100mln loss from Murray an arena wont be built. So the Flames are probably continuing to lobby the Feds for money. Until they get it, the arena will be in Limbo.

sigh... from this it sounds like many more years of long washroom and concession lineups, missed concerts, etc. Not to mention the absolutely brutal football experience which is too lengthy to list here. Now we'll be surpassed by Edmonton AND Regina. The horror....