When you gold plate everything and pay everybody on staff $28/hour +(
https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=city+of...=Calgary%2C+AB), it shouldn't be surprising that eventually you don't have enough left over to cover other capital projects. Our beautiful library, bridges etc. crowded out money that could have been used for additional things. It's a value judgement as to whether it's worth it or not, but if ultimately the arena deal can't get done because the city's broke, then it's another discussion point.