My only real problem with the whole CalgaryNext is the actual proposal/presentation.
I like the location
I am OK with the city's contribution for the public use facilities (I'd like transparency on this. IE, I want to KNOW that not a single tax payer dollar even went to painting the dressing rooms in the arena).
I am happy to have the city pay for any infrastructure updates required to make it work. (particularly the Bow/Memorial/Crowchild interchange. That thing is a fricken mess. If this is what it takes to fix it, fine.)
But you can't come out with literally zero plan, no renderings of what the building will actually look like, and a vague financing plan, and just expect the citizens to say "Ooooo pretty! Heres 400 million!" You have to make it "pretty" first.
I listened to most of Bettman's interview with Kerr and something that bugged me was his assertion that "the citizens, the leadership, and the Flames, all have to agree that this is something that is important. The numbers can be worked out after and will fall into place as they must."
No Gary. I think the city overall is pretty much onboard that a facility like this should be built. We ARE in the stage where the numbers have to be worked out, and it's up to the private business looking to see the most benefit from the building (key word MOST benefit. The city will benefit overall, not as much as the Flames will though) to come up with a proper proposal. If KKs presentation is the same spiel they have given to city council, I wouldn't blame them at all for laughing them out of the room. You guys are business people. What if someone came to you with an idea to build a building with 1/2 your money, with ambiguous benefits to you, and this is the presentation they gave. Seriously? Put yourselves on the other side of the table for a moment and REALLY think about it.
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