To be honest, the more I think about this project, the less I am against "some" public money going to an arena. Thats because, it does have some "public rationale" including (1) concerts (2) civic pride (3) special events.
That said, I don't like this project as currently envisioned. Its too much money. And, I dislike the location of the field house for amateur sports.
I think I'd like the project more as follows:
1) Province pays for clean up of creosole
2) City pays for transport infrastructure
3) Flames are given enough free land in the west village to build arena. They are also given an exclusive casino licence for the area, and given right of first refusal to develop the area (have to purchase land at "fair market value")
4) Flames put in $200m of their own money and $250m ticket tax to fund the Event Centre
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