Aside from the horribly negotiated funding split and all parties heavily subsidizing Edwards/CSEC, I don't see how this deal gets approved. It's technically a megaproject now and we all know how smoothly megaprojects go...10-15% contingency on just the arena build would be an additional $100M. Who is bearing the burden of cost overages?
Personally, I'd rather have five central libraries (or any other combination of social benefits) than a single $1BN+ private-use arena.
Also, the level of contempt that Edwards demonstrates towards Calgary is interesting. The city and province are gifting you almost a billion dollars for your personal pet project and you can't even be arsed to fly into town for a day to smile and wave at all the people you hosed...
|