Quote:
Originally Posted by jammies
The library doesn't cost $150 for a 3 hour visit, with the majority of that going to book publishers and star authors. Again, we're not comparing similar things.
The library, rec centres, LRT, giant interchanges - all of those aren't supposed to make money, but the arena's main function will be to make money, and make it for the Flames. Why does the City have an interest in making the Flames money? Its interest should be this: spend as little as possible commensurate with not losing the franchise to another city.
It is odd to me to see CP, usually rife with foam-at-mouth fiscal conservatives, suddenly give voice to so many who are willing to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayers into a vanity project for the affluent. I am far from a fiscal conservative, and I'd be fine with the City providing land and infrastructure, and even partnering on a ticket tax with the Flames on an arena project in the $300-400 million dollar range, but that money should be negotiated with a hard cold realistic look at what else that public cash could go towards and whether or not a city in the middle of a severe depression should be spending it at all.
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I think you are thinking about this the wrong way. It has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with what some Calgarians believe is important to them and the city. Many are Flames fans that would like a new venue, many want the team to be financially competitive with the competition so the young guns era never returns, some want sports facilities that are on par with the other major cities so they can have pride over apologies when entertaining visitors, some like to go to concerts and would rather stay in Calgary for them rather than have to travel to Edmonton for the big acts. There is also many that are more interested in their tax money going to other things and that's fine as I don't think there's every been any situation like this in any city where it's been unanimous or close one way or another. People are always divided over where they believe tax money should go. This is no different.