Please read, sign, and share this petition

[MrMastodonFarm]

The more Ken King subtly hints at moving or not being wanted here the more he, CalgaryNext and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation can go eff themselves.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by SNOTTY

Please read, sign, and share this with as many people as possible.

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by SNOTTY

I started it not even 24 hours ago and already have over 100 signatures.

That's not very impressive. You could start a petition to have Justin Bieber made supreme ruler of Canada and get more signatures in less time.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I like Robyn Regehr. What's his shoe size?

[MrMastodonFarm]

As hockey fans, you deserve MORE than to see your beloved Flames play in the oldest arena in the NHL. Some great memories were made there, but let’s face it we need a new building.

And let's address this often repeated diddy. The Calgary Flames need this arena and projects much more then the Calgary fans do. Anyone been up to Edmonton this season? The building is fantastic but the experience is of little change to the regular game go'er.

The Saddledome holds The Flames, Hitmen, Roughnecks with no practice facility for their main team the Dome is bursting at the seams but none of that means anything to regular fans. The owners need this building so much more then we do. Our experience will change very little.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I like Robyn Regehr. What's his shoe size?

Probably not quite as big as Peter Loubardias', those are some big shoes to fill. I'm starting to hear some rumours about Loubo's shoe size, what do you guys think?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The more Ken King subtly hints at moving or not being wanted here the more he, CalgaryNext and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation can go eff themselves.

I thought his FAN 960 interview was a masterclass on passive-aggressive speaking.

Stuff like, (paraphrased): "We're all adults, if you don't want us here, tell us, we can take it."

"I don't say this as a threat in any manner... (1 minute later) but if we don't have this building, we'll make our decisions from that."

"People who don't want this building are people who don't want to see change or like the way it was... the vocal minority."

"We need a place to play."

I mean, the whole thing was brutal and I was shaking my head the whole time. Can you imagine this guy in a private meeting with the city? No wonder Nenshi (who I'm not the biggest fan of either) told him to essentially go pound sand.

You want a new building? Fine. But put together a plan that doesn't scream Mickey Mouse and for god sakes be mindful of optics. There's a lot of people not working. You want a shiny new toy and all of a sudden surprised people are worried how it's going to be paid for? If that surprise is genuine, you're either an idiot or really bad at your job.

[Travis Munroe]

I will sign simply to show how ridiculous Nenshis comments about nobody wanting any tax payer money to go towards a new arena.

The debate is how much tax payers money will go towards it, not whether or not there will be any tax payer money involved in the deal. Nenshi will open his arms to increased property taxes around the arena or the increases in taxable revenue around such an arena so it is only fair to contribute to some extent, even if it is a very small amount but to say nobody is interested is Nenshi using his high position to voice his opinion as if it is the opinion of everyone.

As a serious question, if Calgary goes for and wins the Olympic bid, is the city not on the hook for building an arena anyway?

[HotHotHeat]

Has anyone transcribed King's propaganda session on 960 earlier this week? I honestly don't see how anyone could support his efforts after hearing that interview. It was Trumpian.

EDIT:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/the-big-...ot-dead-limbo/

30 minutes or so. Really encourage everyone to listen. You're allowed to be a fan of this team very against King's attempt to guilt the city into a bad deal.

[Joborule]

It's also rich to hear him coming off as the victim here, whereas they've been dicking around with the arena for over a decade. If you need it that badly now, should've acted more serious earlier on then.

It's just political tactics, and it will get done in due time (likely some real developments this year), but assuming to hear nonetheless.

[calgaryblood]

Yeah Ken King came off real bad but probably got instruction from the owners. Glad Nenshi is the mayor and not some push over.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Has anyone transcribed King's propaganda session on 960 earlier this week? I honestly don't see how anyone could support his efforts after hearing that interview. It was Trumpian.

Also, big thumbs down to the neutered level of interviewing with the FAN 960. Those eunuchs couldn't even be BOTHERED to ask one challenging question. I'm not saying to be rude... but challenge the guy. A teeny tiny bit.

Not even something like, "I think everyone would like a new building if it came free, but I think the concern in this economic climate is how it will be paid for. How do you address those concerns?"

Nothing hostile in that question. Just basic journalism 101 a student could come up with.

Instead, this is what Ken King got:

[Monahan For Mayor]

I don't know why anyone would want a new arena unless they are making 200k a year. I live in the Edmonton area, and the ticket prices are insane now! I use to get decent seats when the flames were in town for 100-150. For similar seats today it's 300. The sadddle dome is way nicer than rexal was.

I don't know but I personally would rather let my bank out continue to build than break the bank every time I go to a game. I don't have a very reasonable income and that's my thought. A new arena will stop anyone not making 70k+ from affording it. Especially if they have a wife and kids forget about it.

[jayswin]

Looking back it's crazy how much buying the Calgary Stampeders changed everything. They were rumored to be starting the new arena process in 2007, not in the west village.

If they had just gone for a standalone arena in Victoria park, they likely could have got $100m or more in public funding quite easily and probably would have had an opening day of 2011 or so.

No here we are, ten years later and they're still not even sure themselves what they're trying to do anymore. Just appearing in public to lazily go through the American sports stadium threat list during one of the worst economic situations in our city's history.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

I will sign simply to show how ridiculous Nenshis comments about nobody wanting any tax payer money to go towards a new arena.

The debate is how much tax payers money will go towards it, not whether or not there will be any tax payer money involved in the deal. Nenshi will open his arms to increased property taxes around the arena or the increases in taxable revenue around such an arena so it is only fair to contribute to some extent, even if it is a very small amount but to say nobody is interested is Nenshi using his high position to voice his opinion as if it is the opinion of everyone.

As a serious question, if Calgary goes for and wins the Olympic bid, is the city not on the hook for building an arena anyway?

Well by that logic, why won't the city foot the bill for me building a bigger house? Surely the properly taxes would go up, so it's only fair to contribute.

[RM14]

It's clear the city values an arena as part of the Vic Park master plan and CSEC actually has some attraction to the city and CSEC is basically waiting to hear what the city is thinking.

This is an opportunity for the city to design transit, bike access, plazas, and all kinds of ancillary development in that area. How long ago did the CMLC name the corridor between Inglewood and East Village the "Music Mile". Then there are rumors of kicking tires on moving the Transit Center to clear space dead center of the music mile. I would bet it is all connected. The city absolutely would want the event center as a focal point of that vision. Therefore, the City does have an interest in facilitating the development of Plan B.

The partnership will exist in the sense that government will contribute the costs for the C-train connecting to the arena, vehicle infrastructure to support the vic park master plan and a spot to build it in that plan.

[Cube Inmate]

Originally Posted by Petition

"The Mayor recently stated publicly that 99.999997% of Calgarians are against new sports infrastructure for Calgary. We want to show the Mayor and Council that this number is not accurate."

Because (as the mayor says) "Math is hard" -- I'll remind you that you proved the mayor's statement false with the very first signature. Congratulations! Or is it possible that he was not...speaking...literally...?

[Vinny01]

Public money has been used by a lot of cities forand events center. After seeing how the Oilers bent the city of Edmonton over to build Rogers the Flames will try and do something similar.

Look at the Raiders earlier this week. The owners almost unanimously supported the move largely due to the $750M of public (tourist) money coming from a hotel tax.

In the ownership fraternity I believe there is pressure to try and coax as much public dollars out of the cities to build an arena. It sets precedents with future projects and allows these rich owners to get their buildings while paying for 50% or less then reaping the new revenues from increased pricing.

The big challenge with Victoria Park for the Flames is they are already developing the area. Edmonton sold the city on the ice district which was needed. I see how calgarynext was similar in terms of developing a key piece of currently wasted land but the costs are too high.


From the get go I wanted the Flames-Stamps arenas to be separate. I couldn't care less about the CFL and enjoy attending games at McMahon sitting in the sun in the middle of the summer. Put them in an indoor arena I would never go to a game but that is me, others will say it needs to be torn down and the Stamps deserve better.

As a season ticket holder for the Flames I HATE the Dome it is a complete dump compared to other buildings around the league.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Well by that logic, why won't the city foot the bill for me building a bigger house? Surely the properly taxes would go up, so it's only fair to contribute.

I dont want my support for signing such a petition to come across as me thinking the city is sticking it to the flames for no reason.

The flames have put together a brutal presentation with awful PR throughout the process and simply put, a group of high school kids could have been more prepared with a "sexier" more logical presentation.

That said, your home is not the same as a new arena unless your home is bringing thousands of tourists to town each year and millions of dollars are being spent within it and your renovations or new home drives up the price of everything in the surrounding area. A new arena instantly becomes the focal point of our city. I don't think there is any other attraction that would drive in tourism, dollars or be used as much as a new arena. It is critical to do it right and IMO have the football stadium and arena together.

When bringing such a structure and opportunity to a city, it is of my opinion and just about everyone I talk to that the city should chip in. The debate comes in the form of how much should the city chip in. If the presentation blew everyones socks off and the flames were asking for 25% from the city, I believe we have a deal in place. Instead a proposal with countless unknowns and a couple of terrible artist renderings is released and it is no wonder it received the response it did.

The 25 or so major concerts to hit Edmonton's new arena are now coming to Calgary or at least a good portion of them. What does the average person spend when going to a concert? $175? Factor in transportation, meal, ticket, snacks, souvenirs and possible hotel accommodations.... when you run the numbers it adds up pretty fast and it is all taxable money. Again this is something the flames should have addressed in their presentation to get people on board. Instead, they hoped a picture would be enough to convince everyone.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

I dont want my support for signing such a petition to come across as me thinking the city is sticking it to the flames for no reason.

The flames have put together a brutal presentation with awful PR throughout the process and simply put, a group of high school kids could have been more prepared with a "sexier" more logical presentation.

That said, your home is not the same as a new arena unless your home is bringing thousands of tourists to town each year and millions of dollars are being spent within it and your renovations or new home drives up the price of everything in the surrounding area. A new arena instantly becomes the focal point of our city. I don't think there is any other attraction that would drive in tourism, dollars or be used as much as a new arena. It is critical to do it right and IMO have the football stadium and arena together.

When bringing such a structure and opportunity to a city, it is of my opinion and just about everyone I talk to that the city should chip in. The debate comes in the form of how much should the city chip in. If the presentation blew everyones socks off and the flames were asking for 25% from the city, I believe we have a deal in place. Instead a proposal with countless unknowns and a couple of terrible artist renderings is released and it is no wonder it received the response it did.

The 25 or so major concerts to hit Edmonton's new arena are now coming to Calgary or at least a good portion of them. What does the average person spend when going to a concert? $175? Factor in transportation, meal, ticket, snacks, souvenirs and possible hotel accommodations.... when you run the numbers it adds up pretty fast and it is all taxable money. Again this is something the flames should have addressed in their presentation to get people on board. Instead, they hoped a picture would be enough to convince everyone.

Economists are pretty unanimous that arenas/stadiums don't spur economic growth. Just a quick google...
http://news.stanford.edu/2015/07/30/...s-noll-073015/
https://www.theatlantic.com/business...adiums/260900/
http://www.citylab.com/politics/2015...doggle/403666/
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/s...orth-the-cost/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffrey...axpayers-lose/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/use-of-...iny-1425856677
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwJt4bcnXs