Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Random
So you're against throwing away hundreds of millions on an arena, but in favour of throwing away billions (possibly tens of billions) on the Olympics?
It sounds as if your problem with CalgaryNEXT is that it was not wasteful enough.
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No, that isn't what I am saying.
I was never really got on board with CalgaryNExt for any reason, though the concept of having it as 'just not another arena, but something really spectacular' I did like. Let's just get that out of the way. I just never really got on board.
However, I am ok with the Olympics if it IS NOT A WASTE OF BILLIONS. Calgary is still using a lot of the infrastructure that was built for the Olympics - including transit, some overpasses, some buildings, etc. There was a lot more being built for the Olympics than just an arena.
IF (and again, IF) there is the possibility of having the Olympics pay-off a lot of infrastructure (infrastructure that could be used long-term to enhance Calgary in many ways other than JUST an arena), then yes, I would definitely be on board with that.
If it is 'wasting millions of dollars' - then of course not. I also know you knew what I meant by that, and that it wasn't a matter of wasting millions.
I love architecture, and I love seeing big projects go up in the city. I was probably more ok with public money being spent on it earlier on than I am now, but a lot of good points have been made in the last couple of years and I find myself firmly entrenched in the 'no' side for now.
I do think an arena will go up, I do think it will be nice, and I bet there will be some public money going into it - probably more than it should. Doesn't stop me from being on the 'no' side for now, even though I very much hope something really nice does get built.