[sureLoss]

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/133...ublic-funding/

Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the Calgary Flames might be putting themselves in the political hot seat as he says potential plans outlined by the NHL team for a multi-use arena will likely require public money.

“I can’t imagine how they could do what they’re looking at without asking for [public funding] but they’re going to have a big political issue,” Nenshi said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“As I’ve said many times, there are two issues: public funding needs to go for public benefit, not private benefit – and there ain’t no money. If we can solve those two problems we’ll be in good shape.”

While Mayor Nenshi said he has met with Ken King, Flames president and CEO, on a number of occasions, there has been no formal proposal around the arena brought forward to the city.

He says it’s up to the NHL team to determine whether or not they want to bring forward plans around the new arena to the public.

“They’ve shared some ideas, as you know, and it’s up to them to figure out when they want to go to the next step and if they want to have conversations with the public,” he said.

He also noted if the Flames are going to be requesting public funding for the arena, “that’s a conversation that we’ll have to have with the public.”