Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
Based on what's happened elsewhere, the Flames would be stupid not to ask for tax-payer money, but the City would be stupid to say yes for the very same reason. While the team up north got a new stadium out of it, the taxpayers sure did get screwed.
And again...it's not a negotiation. What this is, is a sales pitch. The City does not need this stadium/arena combo, as they already have a plan for West Village and a field-house that can be executed without any Flames involvement at all. The Flames are the ones who are looking to disrupt those plans, so they are the ones who need to make sure it is enticing enough.
If the Flames want to build out CalgaryNext, they need to give the city something it wouldn't have otherwise. As of now, all they are doing is asking. Civic pride is not good enough when you're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars.
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Can you explain to me how taxpayers in Edmonton got screwed. I have several acquaintances up there and this has been the most excited I have seen them in regards to the city ever. Despite the provincial economy in shambles it's night and day how much more positive things are in Edmonton these days compared to Calgary.
What did this arena and the subsequent area development exactly rob from the taxpayers? How would things be better if it never happened? It appears the entire project has revitalized the city and I don't know if you can put a price on that.