[sureLoss]

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...dollars-needed

The arena, along with the council-approved expansion of the BMO Centre, would “transform Victoria Park into a year-round, permanent gathering place” for Calgarians, Coun. Jeff Davison said Thursday.

“We’re operating now under the assumption that there is a need for public participation in the funding of this project,” Davison said.

“On top of the investment and the jobs and the revenue it would create, the event centre is the anchor point in developing a cultural gathering place for all Calgarians. We’ve confirmed that it’s critical that the event centre be so much more than a single use hockey arena, that the public spaces adjacent to the event centre are just as critical as the event centre itself.”

Ernst & Young, commissioned to conduct an economic impact study of the development of the Rivers District, will release its findings at Friday’s event centre committee meeting.

If council chooses to prioritize the arena project, Davison said a proposal would then be submitted to Calgary Sports and Entertainment for consideration. He said council would need to go to city administration to find a source of funding for the project.