Say what you will about the way things have been handled, but this is exactly why the Flames have been pushing the CalgaryNext idea:
http://calgaryherald.com/news/politi...s-no-and-maybe
Kent Hehr says there will be no federal funding for a professional sports facility ... but there could be money available for amateur sports uses and the environmental cleanup of the West Village.
Quote:
There are no specific federal or provincial programs that would fund the decontamination of the site but during last fall’s federal election campaign, Hehr as a candidate suggested Ottawa could have a part to play in the clean-up.
“Environmental remediation is the responsibility of all governments,” he reiterated this week.
“That has an outstanding liability that affects Calgary and the like and should there be a provincial and civic lead on making that a priority, I’m certain there could be asks made … to possibly be part of that environmental reclamation.”
Hehr said he has had discussions about the CalgaryNEXT proposal with Ken King, president of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp.
In an interview Friday, King said Hehr has told him there could conceivably be a federal role in the project, though he made no promises of money.
“I really like his attitude about things,” said King.
“He cares about sports, professional and amateur and he made that clear. He said, ‘Ken, I get this, I understand it, I understand what you’re trying to do.'”
“We have made no formal request and the fact that he, like the provincial government, has an open mind on it, is all we ever kind of want until we get down to a deal.”
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