Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame
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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I think that has a large part to do with the whole situation. From the league and owner point of view, if Edmonton can do it, why can't Calgary? Most of the important economic, political and social externalities are very similar for both cities. They set a pretty strong precedent for a municipally funded arena.
Also as an FYI, the provincial government already committed funding to Rogers Arena. So technically, some of our tax dollars helped build that arena. I think it’s only fair we make them do the same for us when the time comes lol