People who do not want public money put into an new arena project are wearing blinders! Even taking the Calgary Next project at the full cost the city estimates at 1.8 billion and 2/3 of the cost to taxpayers works out to less then $1000 per citizen. Now weigh that small amount per citizen versus the loss of a few thousand jobs, a few million dollars that the CSEG raises for charities and the lost revenue for small businesses such as restaurants and bars that fill up during a Flames game. Also the CSEG wants a new facility for The Stampeders and if they were to move the Flames you can bet they sell of the Stamps and Hitmen and Roughnecks as well which could very well mean the end of a couple of those teams as well.
Having wealthy business men wanting to invest money in our city is not a negative people!! Facilities like a new arena and stadium benefit the greater good so I see no issue is sharing that responsibility.
|