[News] Bettman urges new arena ASAP

[calgaryblood]

Ken King should be fired for his debacle proposal. Honestly a very poorly thought out proposal that someone with a high school education could have done in less than a week. If I was Nenshi and had that piece of crap proposal handed to me I'd be just as snarky and sarcastic.

Embarrassing by the Flames and especially Ken King.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Parallex

So you think the city should spend the same amount to generate even less?

If it doesn't make sense for the Flames to spend that money then it doesn't make sense for the city to spend it either.

Jobs, prestige, ect

I've seen the studies suggesting arenas don't help, I've watch the This week tonight clip. Still think Calgary would be crazy to let the Flames go.

Sure they may be more profitable here but spending a billion dollars verse selling for half a billion is a gigantic swing.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by DJones

Jobs, prestige, ect

Problem solved. Please forward this to Nenshi immediately so we can get the ball rolling.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by New Era

As an ex-Calgarian who has moved on to bigger and much greener pastures I can tell you that Calgary is a small city with a smaller city attitude. Having lived in a few of the big cities around our continent I can tell you that one of things that separates them from Calgary is entertainment. There are so many choices in other cities that don't exist in Calgary.

I think you are really off the mark here, and it could be because you have been away from Calgary for some time. You may also be comparing apples to oranges if you think Calgary can be compared to Dallas, or Phoenix or LA (cities 5-10X larger than Calgary, and not as isolated). I doubt anyone would say there is more going on in Buffalo or Milwaukee than Calgary.

I have seen entertainment districts in LA, Phoenix and Orlando, and I don't think Calgary misses out on anything by not having a Margaritaville, Bubba Gump or a NASCAR restaurant. These are soulless corporate entities with no character or quality food.

The entertainment and recreational opportunities in Calgary today are mind-blowing. I follow it closely, and there is no way I can see everything I want to see.

Calgary has become a Festival City - every weekend in the summer there is something happening - Sled Island, Folk Festival, AfrikaDey, Reggae Fest, X-Fest, etc.

The National Music Centre opens this year, and it will be a unique world class attraction.

Calgary has far more top restaurants than other Canadian cities of a similar size.

The Stampede Parade attracts 100,000 people, and 1 million people go through the gates at the grounds.

We have more casinos, comedy clubs and live music venues than we did 10 or 20 years ago.

Calgary is an international tourist destination - being close to Banff and the Rockies is a great gift.

As for recreation we have COP/Winsport, the Oval, numerous community arenas and recreation centers.

Theatre, museums, galleries, Heritage Park, Zoo, Science Center.

River pathways. World class skiing, fly-fishing, hiking and camping within one hour of Calgary.

It is true a few large music tours bypass Calgary every year, but concert promoters say only a couple each year avoid Calgary because of issues with the Dome.

Here you can see what is happening in Calgary every week. Certainly some of it is underground or appeals only to certain groups, but there is something going on for everyone all of the time.

http://www.theculturecycle.com/

This is just off the top of the head, and I'm just scratching the surface. I never feel bored here.

Calgary's concert scene in 2015 offered some stunning sights and sounds

http://calgaryherald.com/entertainme...hts-and-sounds

For whatever reason, there’s still the sentiment that far too many world-class concerts skip Calgary in favour of others and that something ought to be done about it.

Yes, it’s been perpetuated by some parties as part of a bid for public funding to build a shiny, expensive new stadium and arena, but it’s also something that’s tiresomely trotted out by those who every year or two have to travel a couple of hours to see a Madonna or Taylor Swift show.

Those are the exceptions. Those are the few.

If you honestly live in this city and complain that no good acts or artists ever come to town, or that there are never any good shows to see, then you have a very narrow idea of what a concert is and, likely, a somewhat slim musical palate.

In fact, we no longer live in a city where we’re lucky to get one or two good shows a month, but rather now have to make the decision between three or four shows on any given week. And in the summer, it’s two or three different festivals you may have to pick between on one single weekend.

It’s impossible to take it all in.

[Vinny01]

This most disappointing thing for me is while we waited for the announcement the message was "we will not have the same hurdles or issues that Edmonton had". I was given the impression that when the project was going to be unveiled it was going to move forward as the financing and what not would have been completed behind the scenes avoiding the ugliness that occurred in Edmonton. Admittedly I was being far to naive to assume this was the case.

So here we are the season before the new rink opens in Edmonton and we are so far away from this project occurring it is laughable. This is likely a 5 year project if ground broke today but it seems like we are 5 years away from being 5 years away. While I love the concept of CalgaryNEXT as it helps spread the downtown footprint moving west. Selfishly I love the location because I live just west of the downtown core. Ultimately though I have little to no vested interest in anything beyond a new events center located downtown. I don't like or care for the field house as I enjoy watching the Stamps outside in the summer and by the time the weather is turning I am enjoying the NFL and return of NHL and do not attend Stamps games past Labor Day. I would be just as happy if they scrapped the field house and built an events center just north of the Dome which was rumored to be a spot.

I don't enjoy the Dome as a venue it is frustrating to use the restrooms or navigate the concourse. I want a new rink and want it soon but the proposal as is will not satisfy that request.

[Parallex]

I think this summed up Bettman's comments nicely...

Greg Wyshynski‏@wyshynski20h20 hours ago
Greg Wyshynski Retweeted Heath Brown
"Aw, maybe this idea's not for you. It's more of a *Shelbyville*, uh, I mean *Edmonton* idea ..."

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by DJones

Jobs, prestige, ect

I've seen the studies suggesting arenas don't help, I've watch the This week tonight clip. Still think Calgary would be crazy to let the Flames go.

Sure they may be more profitable here but spending a billion dollars verse selling for half a billion is a gigantic swing.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't see how you could read all the studies and still think that there's some magical hidden multiplier because hockey. The fact of the matter is that you are suggesting the city is going to pony up a billion dollars for the right to say that they have a pro hockey team or to keep up with the Jones' in Edmonton.

Just remember your stance on this when your property tax bill goes up by 20-30%.

Not directed at you DJones - I think it's pretty pathetic that for a lot of people, pro sports is somehow the gold standard of culture and entertainment. I was going to make a post similar to troutman about how many other things there are to do in Calgary, with arguably more traditional "culture" (music, theatre, arts etc.), but people think that somehow without the Flames, Calgary becomes this barren wasteland. It could not be further from the truth.

[calumniate]

Well, on the bright side Bettman did get people talking about it again. As loathed as the guy is he at least made some headlines on a topic that had basically disappeared.

King seems to have gone into hiding after his little powerpoint presentation.. I just hope there isn't a rift between King and Nenshi that can't be overcome.

[FiveSeven]

Why would the Flames leave simply because we play in an older building? I don't get it?

They could start the arena tomorrow with nearly all private money if they only made the arena..

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

Just release some better renderings and some information to get people excited about the project. It's sad that they want public money and couldn't spend more than 10 minutes to prepare a decent rendering of the building instead of this piece of junk.



Honestly, what the crap is this?

I've heard don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle. They're not selling the steak, or the sizzle, they're selling an empty $900 million dollar plate.

I'm pretty sure the girl from the Scotiabank commercial who did the school project/presentation on the Fifth Season made this.

[FiveSeven]

My friend in architecture school made an entire stadium for his final project. Took him a month of late nights but everything is in detail. He said he could make thaT picture in a day or two.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by FiveSeven

My friend in architecture school made an entire stadium for his final project. Took him a month of late nights but everything is in detail. He said he could make thaT picture in a day or two.

Your friend picked the wrong job, he should have been a marine biologist.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Your friend picked the wrong job, he should have been a marine biologist.

Both of those jobs require a lot of schooling. Better off being a latex salesman

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

This most disappointing thing for me is while we waited for the announcement the message was "we will not have the same hurdles or issues that Edmonton had". I was given the impression that when the project was going to be unveiled it was going to move forward as the financing and what not would have been completed behind the scenes avoiding the ugliness that occurred in Edmonton. Admittedly I was being far to naive to assume this was the case.

So here we are the season before the new rink opens in Edmonton and we are so far away from this project occurring it is laughable. This is likely a 5 year project if ground broke today but it seems like we are 5 years away from being 5 years away. While I love the concept of CalgaryNEXT as it helps spread the downtown footprint moving west. Selfishly I love the location because I live just west of the downtown core. Ultimately though I have little to no vested interest in anything beyond a new events center located downtown. I don't like or care for the field house as I enjoy watching the Stamps outside in the summer and by the time the weather is turning I am enjoying the NFL and return of NHL and do not attend Stamps games past Labor Day. I would be just as happy if they scrapped the field house and built an events center just north of the Dome which was rumored to be a spot.

I don't enjoy the Dome as a venue it is frustrating to use the restrooms or navigate the concourse. I want a new rink and want it soon but the proposal as is will not satisfy that request.

This. The announcement was so long in the making that we assumed it would come out fully fledged and supported by the city. What we got instead was a glorified napkin. That's bad enough for any project but for a billion dollar project that's freaking laughable.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by DJones

Jobs, presitge, ect

What's the "etc"?

"Jobs" isn't a valid reason. The city could spend a billion dollars on infrastructure projects that have a higher rate of return and/or greater public good and get "Jobs" if they were so inclined. I'm entirely uninterested in seeing the municipality spend a billion just on prestige so that better be a really compelling "etc".

[ben voyonsdonc]

Who in their right mind thought that Bettman coming to Calgary and threatening the city would be an effective tactic? Bettman is not exactly a likable figure that can be rallied behind.

I was hoping that the reason for the constant delays in the announcement of the arena plans was because the Flames were busy getting their ducks in a row to ensure that the announcement had the backing of the city. I'm not sure if King and Co., thought that Calgarians would be so excited by their plans that they would lobby their Councillors/Mayor to get on board but that simply isn't the way things work.

[CaptainCrunch]

I want the interior of the building to look exactly like that drawing.

It has a very futurama/logan's run look to it.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by MattyC

My only real problem with the whole CalgaryNext is the actual proposal/presentation.

I like the location
I am OK with the city's contribution for the public use facilities (I'd like transparency on this. IE, I want to KNOW that not a single tax payer dollar even went to painting the dressing rooms in the arena).
I am happy to have the city pay for any infrastructure updates required to make it work. (particularly the Bow/Memorial/Crowchild interchange. That thing is a fricken mess. If this is what it takes to fix it, fine.)
But you can't come out with literally zero plan, no renderings of what the building will actually look like, and a vague financing plan, and just expect the citizens to say "Ooooo pretty! Heres 400 million!" You have to make it "pretty" first.

I listened to most of Bettman's interview with Kerr and something that bugged me was his assertion that "the citizens, the leadership, and the Flames, all have to agree that this is something that is important. The numbers can be worked out after and will fall into place as they must."

No Gary. I think the city overall is pretty much onboard that a facility like this should be built. We ARE in the stage where the numbers have to be worked out, and it's up to the private business looking to see the most benefit from the building (key word MOST benefit. The city will benefit overall, not as much as the Flames will though) to come up with a proper proposal. If KKs presentation is the same spiel they have given to city council, I wouldn't blame them at all for laughing them out of the room. You guys are business people. What if someone came to you with an idea to build a building with 1/2 your money, with ambiguous benefits to you, and this is the presentation they gave. Seriously? Put yourselves on the other side of the table for a moment and REALLY think about it.

yup.

This is something that happens everyday between startup companies and investors. Everything is in the pitch and KK bumbled that pitch. I'm not even sure who the pitch was for? For ticket holders, for television audiences like us? Was it even pitched officially to City Council?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Parallex

What's the "etc"?

"Jobs" isn't a valid reason. The city could spend a billion dollars on infrastructure projects that have a higher rate of return and/or greater public good and get "Jobs" if they were so inclined. I'm entirely uninterested in seeing the municipality spend a billion just on prestige so that better be a really compelling "etc".

I'm not OK with the CGYNext proposal. But they are not asking for $1 billion from the city.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by DJones

Jobs, prestige, ect

I've seen the studies suggesting arenas don't help, I've watch the This week tonight clip. Still think Calgary would be crazy to let the Flames go.

Sure they may be more profitable here but spending a billion dollars verse selling for half a billion is a gigantic swing.

They aren't going anywhere. They are posturing and trying to strike fear in people that they might leave so people will think they will leave if the money isn't given.