[News] Bettman urges new arena ASAP

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

No, I really don't.

This is a downright surprising statement coming from you.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DJones

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...h-public-funds

And yet every city does it.

25.9 million revenue for last year with a solid playoff run. If they can save 300 million by going to another team and letting the Stampeders fall apart why would they not relocate. That's over ten years profit.

If you want a professional sports team then the city has to pitch in.

I don't use the bike paths, the new bridge, the library, and I won't use the expansion LRT. I don't even know what the Foothills Athletic Park is but that costs $140 million.

At least I would use the building to watch the Flames, my kids will use the field house, and I will never have to drive to Edmonton or Saskatoon to watch a concert again.

Then don't expect the city to build you a field house and not be a part of the costs of maintaning and any going upgrades. The city would be taking all the risks which isn't really fair.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Every Calgarian needs to watch this

No. Its one of the few times I've disagreed with him, and I'm not going to go into every reason but theres going to be public money involved in CalgaryNEXT and thats fine, its a matter of how much, how its structured and what the City gets back.

I honestly believe that Cities can benefit from these deals if they're shrewd and well structured.

We will get a new arena and we as taxpayers will kick some cash in. Our elected officials just have to ensure that we get decent value out of those dollars and the original presentation and proposal was not it. That was not it.

Originally Posted by browna

Bettman was invited by the Chamber of Commerce to speak on that topic. Plus, he visits each city for a state of the union to talk to and then do a Q&A session season ticket holders, every year. This wasn't anything more than that annual event.

Just deplorable delivery of a response from the mayor and his holier than thou attitude.

I'm going to ignorantly disagree with you on that because I dont know for sure whether you're right or wrong. I was under the impression that Bettman asked for a private meeting between Nenshi, King and himself in addition to the 'State of the Union' address.

I mean, it doesnt matter either way. If Bettman invited Nenshi to his Town Hall speech and Nenshi said 'No' I wouldnt blame him for that either. I would have too. What the hell does Nenshi care about the state of the NHL?

And if it was a private meeting with nothing new to discuss I'd have said 'No' to that too. Sounds like a crappy 'gladhanding' waste of time.

Nenshi (and most of us I think) to Flames/NHL: "If you want to talk then quit screwing around and bring something sensible to the table."

Just more sarcastically.

Sometimes if reason doesnt work, try embarrassment.

[calgarybornnraised]

This is getting silly.

I think everyone needs to get together and actually talk about a new arena. Quit dancing around about everything and actually decide if we should build a new arena.

If the answer(which would be my answer) is yes then get a plan in place and stop with the BS.

This is Calgary,we hosted an Olympics and made a profit thanks to volunteers. We are better than this

[GirlySports]

Flames need to make another offer. And not take another 4 years doing it.

And btw. Indianapolis is a better success story than LA Live. Very similar to what CalgaryNEXT is trying to do.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Flames need to make another offer. And not take another 4 years doing it.

And I think thats all anyone is expecting.

That first proposal was garbage. Try again.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Dion

Then don't expect the city to build you a field house and not be a part of the costs of maintaning and any going upgrades. The city would be taking all the risks which isn't really fair.

I think its disgraceful that Calgary doesn't already have a field house. Couldn't even take part in the World Cup. With our cities history of sporting infrastructure from 1988, you would think they would see the benefits.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Locke

I honestly believe that Cities can benefit from these deals if they're shrewd and well structured.

find examples

[DJones]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

find examples

1988 Oylimpics is a glaring one. I think Vancouver did alright as well. The economics of an arena is impossible to calculate. Has anyone done any studies of how the lock out affected local businesses?

Sure, play hardball but Calgary will still end up paying 200-300 million.

Think of how depressing Calgary would be without the Flames, Stamps(who in their right minds would buy them without a stadium), and Roughnecks.

[GirlySports]

To expand.. Indianapolis is a success. Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium and Convention Center in one place.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DJones

I think its disgraceful that Calgary doesn't already have a field house. Couldn't even take part in the World Cup. With our cities history of sporting infrastructure from 1988, you would think they would see the benefits.

I don't have a problem with the field house itself, it's the Flames who expect the city to build one that would accomindate a CFL football team. They want a place to play and not have to deal with any risks or costs.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

find examples

You cant. The vast and differentiated scope of the economic impact is effectively impossible to quantify.

But you dont have to cover losses, subsidize costs or bend over backwards to give them everything.

But remember this: You do NOT want such massive and important asset in your City to be 100% privately owned and controlled.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Dion

You have to look beyond the way the message is being presented and focus on what he is trying to say. I learned that from my late father who could be a sarcastic SOB at times but had good points in the end.

Wait, so it's ok for the mayor of a city of a million plus people to engage in a petty twitter war and act like some punk kid flaming one another playing League of Legends, as long as he has some "good points"? Sorry, but that's just an embarrassment.

And what's sad is, I do agree that CalgaryNext's current proposal is bad. But why not sit with Bettman, air out your concerns, and tell him face to face that him, King, and the Flames need to come up with something else?

Instead, I guess it's better to just act like a 12 year old and call Bettman names.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

To expand.. Indianapolis is a success. Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium and Convention Center in one place.

Sorry, could you please explain for the uninformed amongst us? What was the deal in Indianapolis and how is it a success? And how is that a good comparable for the Flames?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

You cant. The vast and differentiated scope of the economic impact is effectively impossible to quantify.

But you dont have to cover losses, subsidize costs or bend over backwards to give them everything.

But remember this: You do NOT want such massive and important asset in your City to be 100% privately owned and controlled.

You have me thinking now. How could the city benefit from those assets assuming it was done the right way?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Dion

I don't have a problem with the field house itself, it's the Flames who expect the city to build one that would accomindate a CFL football team. They want a place to play and not have to deal with any risks or costs.

Why?

Stampeders play there 10 times a year. The rest of the year would be at the discretion of the city to use.

Makes a lot more sense for the city to rent it out to the Stampeders than the Stampeders renting it out to the city for 95% of the year.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Dion

You have me thinking now. How could the city benefit from those assets assuming it was done the right way?

World cup was a missed opportunity.
Prestigious sports tournaments of all types would be thrilled to go to a new place.
High School sports.
Semi-professional soccer
Concerts
Any number of events public or otherwise that need a lot of room.
Winter Classic!

https://www.ualberta.ca/ALUMNI/histo...fieldhouse.htm

Old article about Edmontons Field House discussing it's viability.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by DJones

Why?

Stampeders play there 10 times a year. The rest of the year would be at the discretion of the city to use.

Makes a lot more sense for the city to rent it out to the Stampeders than the Stampeders renting it out to the city for 95% of the year.

If it's gaurenteed to generate profits, why isn't the Flames building one themselves or at least doing a partnership with the city? I would assume that the owners are always looking for ways to generate more revenue to help run their franchises.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Dion

If it's gaurenteed to generate profits, why isn't the Flames building one themselves or at least doing a partnership with the city?

It probably won't generate profit. Breaking even would be fantastic.

There isn't a lot of money in recreational high school sports and the like.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dion

You have me thinking now. How could the city benefit from those assets assuming it was done the right way?

Ever want to bid for Olympics or any other major events? If that asset is 100% privately controlled they're going to tell you where to shove it.

Same thing goes anything else, especially if it involves cooperation.