Unfortunately the outsiders looking in (like Bettman and other owners) are probably thinking the sister Alberta team can make a deal with the City for local funding a la what the Oilers did. Just give it time and patience. And I have a feeling the Flames owners are looking for that same thing, and are expecting a Hail Mary to come through.
As much as I love the Flames, this is not something we should ever - EVER - be funding with taxpayer money, unless the public derives significant benefit from it directly.
If anything I'm hoping the provincial and federal governments jump in, see a new arena as part of a serious Olympic bid, and the Flames as part of the Stampede and in association with Tourism Alberta are the long-term strategy to sustain a new building. But without the fieldhouses and associated community benefit, I just can't see this coming to light.
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