Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee
This is so bang on.
Basically it comes down to this, I don't want my taxes going up to support a stadium:
a) for millionaire athletes and billionaire owners, when I still have; a mortgage / debt, a murky economy situation that I am exposed to risk-wise, increasing cost of living expenses, increased municipal / property, provincial and federal taxes incoming to pay for other more important things.
b) will only pander to the already (what I'll refer to as) wealthy by implementing less general admission seats and constructing more private boxes, which actually should diminish the overall atmosphere (see: Toronto), also increase ticket prices
c) IMO, not materially increase for actual value the overall Flames game experience. You know what? I can handle long lines, a smaller-ish concourse, iffy parking (although there's many alternatives around this, and furthermore have you seen the parking plans for the new arena? There are none really), so that I don't have to pay more damn taxes.
You bet your ass if this goes through, my taxes will go up. And you know what? I think the NHL, it's owners and players have enough money. They have a profitable business model that works, which is great and which I love, but I think that for this private business to be shifting the economic burden of a fancy new building so that millionaire athletes feel a bit more pampered, and so they can rape and pillage a few more bucks off private boxes and corporate suites, enough is enough.
And the insane thing is, I'm not even against some public funding going towards something because of the, what I'll call community goodwill, I do believe is brought to the City by having the Flames present. However, the initial offer made by the Flames was insulting, ridiculous and I can see why Nenshi would treat it this way, basically, as what it is- a joke. Until the (billionaire) owners wrap their head around covering the MAJORITY of funding, they can screw right off as far as I'm concerned. Insulting opening.
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