[the-rasta-masta]

I have been on the Flames side for most of this, and I believe there is a big public benefit to having a new arena and creating an entertainment district around this new development.

But, after listening to King on the radio yesterday, I just felt like I was being manipulated and the whole approach was immature and transparent. It's totally clear that an arena isn't a great investment when the anchor tenant, who can afford it if they wanted to, is unwilling to foot the bill themselves. If a new building makes the Flames so incredibly viable compared to the Saddledome, then why don't they build it? To be totally honest, as a fan, I still love the Dome and I'm not entirely sure a new building changes my game experience in any large way. All it does is change the bottom line for the Flames. I think what the city has offered as a structure sounds incredible fair.

Imagine if a restaurant came up to you and asked you to give $200 to them. When you ask whats in it for you, they say they are going to build a new dining room and its going to allow them to charge you $20 more for the same steak you've got in front of you. Are you going to pull out your wallet?