Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimdon
I can only speak for what i personally experience/contribute but over the last year and a half I have made 3 trips to Edmonton to watch concerts and events because Calgary does not have a facility suitable to host them. That's 1 or 2 days worth of hotels, restaurants, tickets, merch and booze that I spent outside of Calgary because of our lack of a building. For every one of these events I didn't go alone, and I met lots of others from Calgary doing the same thing. How this lost business revenue has no value or benefit to Nenshi or the city is ridiculous and pure posturing on their part.
That being said, Edwards unwillingness to pay his part for a building in a city he's already abandoned is just as frustrating. It feels like trying to compromise with two children who both refuse to share.
At this point it feels like the best we can hope for is for Edwards to sell the team to someone who is willing to pay their share for a new arena and Nenshi to do the same.
|
I don't really get this "both sides" argument. The City wants a new arena and even made a proposal for a new arena. They have always been at the negotiating table, albeit, with a firm negotiating stance.
Almost everyone recognizes the need in Calgary for a new arena for both the Flames and other events. I also believe that almost everyone, including the City, recognizes that there is a public benefit to having a new arena even though the benefits aren't necessarily tangible to the public. Like an art installation, new sky scraper or public library, a new arena would add to the culture and overall well-being of the City.
The question then becomes how much is a reasonable amount for the City and the Calgary taxpayers to pay for something that may slightly improve the quality of life and the overall health of Calgary while all of the tangible benefits go to a privately owned, for-profit business? I don't know what that magic number is.
What I do know is that the Flames position during this whole period has been borderline shameful. From their arrogant strutting for 10 years about how great the new arena would be, to their lousy CalgaryNext proposal, to getting Bettman to issue a not-so-veiled threat, to publicly and loudly wading into the election, to walking away from the table when they didn't get their way.
One side, the City, is negotiating like they're supposed to, albeit it seems like they're negotiating 'hard' and Nenshi has been condescending in his public and likely private comments. The other side has screwed this up at every turn and then thrown a temper tantrum.
This will not get fixed unless the Flames clean up their act. They either need a new strategy or a new group spearheading this.