Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
New_Era I have to say this, but you are by far the staunchest defender of public money in stadiums I have ever seen, to the point I honestly believe you think every single city that has major sports should feel grateful for the chance to give sports teams money, as if its almost their obligation to do so. You hold this position even with the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
I suppose the obvious question here: Why? Is it just this new arena you want? Or do you think every new arena should be obligated to be built with public money? Are you going to defend every single project that gets public money?
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That's where you're wrong. I am not a supporter of public money for free enterprise; kind of the opposite truth be told. What I can do is approach these projects as complex and try to understand them on all levels. I really don't give a wet fart about what some uninformed journalist or some site with a very obvious bias and axe to grind has to say, because they don't tell the whole story. I need to know the full story to make a call and I will make the effort to collect the appropriate amount of data to make the right call.
On the Braves stadium, I wouldn't have supported it. I think the value to the public is poor. If the Braves had done more to make this a public facility, or there had been a better payoff for the public, I would be much more open to the project. Maybe you mistook my post as supporting the Braves stadium, but that wasn't the case. I was pointing out that there was more reading required and understanding that there was some BS being forwarded that you should understand and consider the reality of what was being said. I don't like it when the media lies and I wanted that exposed as well.
Now, having said that I do understand the County's position and why they still I tired the deal the way they did. I can understand their investment in the project, because I've seen first hand how passing on a small investment like this can hurt the bigger picture. There are lots of factors that go into making a stadium project work and you have to approach them appreciating the nuance. I don't see the public benefit from the Braves concept and think it wasn't a good investment.
On to CalgaryNext, I am in support of this project for some public funding. The extent of that public funding is what needs to be addressed. Why do I like CalgaryNext over the Braves stadium? Meeting needs, Public access and space. The city needs to do something with the west villiage. That has been an ongoing problem for 50 years. This is an opportunity to fix it and provide an anchor to that area. I also love the concept of the field house. This is a long time coming to Calgary and greatly needed. The central location is key as is the access to mass transit. This is a space for all Calgarians. The new arena is also a must. The reasons for the arena have been discussed at length, but the bottom line is it allows access to events that would bypass Calgary otherwise. There is a big benefit to the city and general public here. The sports teams get their needed facilities, which we all agree is due. Everyone gets what they need here.
Is it perfect? No, but the details are far from fleshed out. The most important thing is the public gets a great new space to meet, play, and be entertained for decades to come. That is worth a lot to a city. The public access is why the City should be all over this and working to find a way to make this a success. Without that public access component I would be against the project all together. If you started talking about a new arena on Stampede land I would be dead set against it, as I don't think it addresses the overall needs of the city. Meeting the needs of the public is what drives my desire to spend tax dollars. Nothing more, nothing less.