Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
I tend to think government funding is around to provide us with things that are impossible, or at least extremely hard, to have by private investment alone. Things like roads, bridges, parks, nature conservation, hospitals, public art, museums, schools, libraries, riverfront bike paths, playgrounds...those things would be a lot harder to have without some, or all, of it being funded by the public. And those things are accessible to the vast majority of citizens.
While I do think they bring value to the city, professional hockey and football teams don't really qualify for the above. They are a private entertainment enterprise, and one that is outside of the reach of a lot of Calgarians.
There's only so much funding to go around, and it's the responsibility for our leaders to divide that money in the best way possible, to benefit as many Calgarians as possible. At the end of the day, it really does come down to things like a Cancer Centre vs Sports Stadium. As much as I like the Flames, if the NHL or CFL can't survive here without public money, then they either need to change their business model, or leave.
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Would you classify ballet halls, Orchestra halls, playhouses in the same category as the Flames? Often those are funded by public money under the "public art" category. They often only benefit a select few Calgarians (my wife and sometimes me among them).
What the Flames are proposing is on a much larger scale, but would benefit many more Calgarians than say an Opera House would. In fact, it would be on the same scale as the Sydney Opera House budget in 1973, which their government fully funded.
If your stance is no to any public buildings for art, then I can see the point. However, if it is yes to museums, recital halls, and the like we need to keep in mind the Flames are just as much a part of Calgary. Yes, artists build their own venues with private donation, like the Jack Singer. So are the Flames. Just on a larger scale.
I am in the camp this could be a better negotiated deal, but I think there is promise here. Something that can work out to benefit many Calgarians. If the city owns the building then demand the Flames donate 500 seats/game to kids up front. Now that would be an awesome idea.