There is no way the Flames are leaving and I don't think the Flames would make the threat. I think the owners are to ingrained in the community. You have the Flames foundation, the numerous charitable donations to hospitals, arena, baseball field (Okotoks), swaths of land for preservation, heritage park etc.
The Flames have a pretty good relationship and have done a great deal of work within the city and surrounding communities. The key is not to get too political and start lobbing insults that would burn bridges, just keep it civil.
I personally don't have an issue with the city and province chipping because a new venue will be a win for the city. For each extra concert/event that rolls through the city it means more money is spent in the city on hotels and restaurants. Is that not a win for the city?
The stampede is said to have an economic benefit around 345 million each year. Would it be that far fetched that 4 or 5 extra events could equal a tenth of the economic benefit that the stampede would generate.
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