Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Flames to announce plans to announce arena plans in the... future...

Barnes · 03-07-2015, 12:58 PM

This total speculation...

powderjunkie's post has got me thinking. The Stampede has proven they are incapable of developing a ham and cheese sandwich. Sorry, but the BMO Centre is a terrible conference facility. The Ag building is fine and a bridge and park, whoopty do. They also failed at operating the Casino so I think The Stampede realizes this that major development of the park is not one of their core competencies outside things for 10 days in July.

The failed Stampede Trail development was to allow ADP to develop and lease the lands where the Stampede would be the landlord. When ADP failed to raise the capital they approached the Stampede to partner in the development and the Stampede walked away. This and having Penny Lane operating the casino and Cowboys tent, I think shows that they are very much in favour of allowing developers to build and operate properties for year round destination facilities on the grounds so they can sit back and let someone else and handle things other than rodeos and marching bands.

The Flames have been working behind the scenes to finalize plans. It is always said that they are doing it the right way but I honestly can't see a finalized plan of this scope being presented to the City a short time before going public if the planned locations where to be Fire Park, West Village, or north of the grounds. Any plans in these locations would require some involvement of the City and the Flames should at least be somewhat aware that it is the opinion of the City Council and public that no public money is available. Presenting a plan that requires anything of the city without consultation during the design process is not doing things the right way. Maybe it's typical? Things like CRLs etc would have to be at least discussed at some point one would think? I don't have any experience in this area so I may be wrong but this makes sense to me.

So, this gives us with three options?

1. The Flames announce plans to build on a downtown location and will pay for everything but will ask for infrastructure improvements.

2. The Flames announce plans to build on a downtown location and expect a CRL, tax incentives, infrastructure, and or land.

3. The Flames and Stampede have come to some sort of agreement that benefits both organizations and would realize a version of the Stampede's Master Plan.

I have always said that there's no way the Flames remain on the grounds but you have to think that the first two options would require some sort of discussion with the City. Maybe there's a fourth option and there has been discussions and agreements in principle secretly with the City but that could be terrible optics for council.

Maybe there's a fifth option where the plan is they expect the public and the city to be so wow'd by the project that will just figure out how to pay later which really is more of a dream then a plan.

If we are to assume Ken King is sincere and things have been done the "right way", in my non professional hypothesis maybe Stampede makes the most sense.

Muta, Bunk?

03-07-2015, 12:58 PM	#3439
Barnes Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Violating Copyrights Exp:	This total speculation... powderjunkie's post has got me thinking. The Stampede has proven they are incapable of developing a ham and cheese sandwich. Sorry, but the BMO Centre is a terrible conference facility. The Ag building is fine and a bridge and park, whoopty do. They also failed at operating the Casino so I think The Stampede realizes this that major development of the park is not one of their core competencies outside things for 10 days in July. The failed Stampede Trail development was to allow ADP to develop and lease the lands where the Stampede would be the landlord. When ADP failed to raise the capital they approached the Stampede to partner in the development and the Stampede walked away. This and having Penny Lane operating the casino and Cowboys tent, I think shows that they are very much in favour of allowing developers to build and operate properties for year round destination facilities on the grounds so they can sit back and let someone else and handle things other than rodeos and marching bands. The Flames have been working behind the scenes to finalize plans. It is always said that they are doing it the right way but I honestly can't see a finalized plan of this scope being presented to the City a short time before going public if the planned locations where to be Fire Park, West Village, or north of the grounds. Any plans in these locations would require some involvement of the City and the Flames should at least be somewhat aware that it is the opinion of the City Council and public that no public money is available. Presenting a plan that requires anything of the city without consultation during the design process is not doing things the right way. Maybe it's typical? Things like CRLs etc would have to be at least discussed at some point one would think? I don't have any experience in this area so I may be wrong but this makes sense to me. So, this gives us with three options? 1. The Flames announce plans to build on a downtown location and will pay for everything but will ask for infrastructure improvements. 2. The Flames announce plans to build on a downtown location and expect a CRL, tax incentives, infrastructure, and or land. 3. The Flames and Stampede have come to some sort of agreement that benefits both organizations and would realize a version of the Stampede's Master Plan. I have always said that there's no way the Flames remain on the grounds but you have to think that the first two options would require some sort of discussion with the City. Maybe there's a fourth option and there has been discussions and agreements in principle secretly with the City but that could be terrible optics for council. Maybe there's a fifth option where the plan is they expect the public and the city to be so wow'd by the project that will just figure out how to pay later which really is more of a dream then a plan. If we are to assume Ken King is sincere and things have been done the "right way", in my non professional hypothesis maybe Stampede makes the most sense. Muta, Bunk?