[News] New Arena - Plan B - Victoria Park

[N26]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

It's business.

Anyone shocked/disgusted by that "threat" aren't paying attention. Businesses, regardless of industry, do their business where they can get the best deal. End of story.

From their perspective, our debates of whether we ought to contribute tax dollars or not is irrelevant - because there are other cities that will do that. It's not like private funding is going to pay for something like this in a City constructed the way Calgary is constructed, and with the population at the level it is at. It's never going to be on the table.

Fund the arena to the same degree Edmonton did, or they'll move because it's good for business.

I'm not shocked but I feel well within my rights to be disgusted by it. But then too much of what is called 'good for business' disgusts me these days.

I've got a big 'f*** you' to the Flames ownership/management for playing this card. Because it disgusts me.

Don't know if the following has been posted on this thread before, I've only read bits and pieces but this clip from This Week Tonight" is good. American and mostly about football stadiums but many of the principles are the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwJt4bcnXs

[killer_carlson]

Burke making this an election issue for the fall.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Burke making this an election issue for the fall.

Which, if you think about it, is the worst thing he could do.

They should either get this done ASAP, or let it lie until the elections are over.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Par

You got any evidence to back this up? I always thought that the Flames would have good TV ratings.

No, we've been at or near the bottom for a few years now. I remember an article stating we were starting to see sub 100k telecasts regularly.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by LanceUppercut

The Flames would probably sell them to someone local if they moved. The question would be if they could afford to play out of the Dome and who would pay for the maintenance.

Never thought about that, but I wonder if the Flames moving would have a significant impact on the Hitmen and Stampeders? Would they continue to own those teams or sell them off?

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Locke

Which, if you think about it, is the worst thing he could do.

They should either get this done ASAP, or let it lie until the elections are over.

I have a hard time believing that the new council in October will be any more receptive to CSEC's loony ideas than the current council is.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I have a hard time believing that the new council in October will be any more receptive to CSEC's loony ideas than the current council is.

Sure, but the current council might consider it a favour if CSEC would STFU for a few minutes during the election.

[northcrunk]

Didn't see this posted yet:

http://www.tsn.ca/burke-flames-could...-rink-1.772863

Burke: Flames could move without new rink

[GioforPM]

One thing about all of this - it was a Q&A. So if someone asks Burke "Could the Flames leave if they don't get a new arena" what's he supposed to say? He has to say it's possible. At best he could say "no comment" but that'd be taken as a yes anyway.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by troutman

If Facebook is any indication, many long-time fans don't care anymore if the Flames leave.

It's probably a natural part of ageing as fans. People get older and lose their passion.

However, the NHL is concerned about the lack of renewal of their fanbase. They openly admit they need to find some way to get more 20-somethings into the game, and it's not easy.

So if older fans drift away, and younger people aren't replacing them, who's the fanbase of the future? I guess it's the corporate world. Which brings us to relocation threats. Where would the Flames find stronger corporate support for the NHL than in Calgary? In Quebec City? Not a chance. Seattle? Maybe. But why would the NHL let the Flames relocate there in preference to the Coyotes or the Hurricanes?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It's probably a natural part of ageing as fans. People get older and lose their passion.

However, the NHL is concerned about the lack of renewal of their fanbase. They openly admit they need to find some way to get more 20-somethings into the game, and it's not easy.

So if older fans drift away, and younger people aren't replacing them, who's the fanbase of the future? I guess it's the corporate world. Which brings us to relocation threats. Where would the Flames find stronger corporate support for the NHL than in Calgary? In Quebec City? Not a chance. Seattle? Maybe. But why would the NHL let the Flames relocate there in preference to the Coyotes or the Hurricanes?

Is that actually true? Seems like people under 30 are way more into hockey than people over 35-40.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It's probably a natural part of ageing as fans. People get older and lose their passion.

However, the NHL is concerned about the lack of renewal of their fanbase. They openly admit they need to find some way to get more 20-somethings into the game, and it's not easy.

So if older fans drift away, and younger people aren't replacing them, who's the fanbase of the future? I guess it's the corporate world. Which brings us to relocation threats. Where would the Flames find stronger corporate support for the NHL than in Calgary? In Quebec City? Not a chance. Seattle? Maybe. But why would the NHL let the Flames relocate there in preference to the Coyotes or the Hurricanes?

The cost to value ratio is totally broken. I can go to 4 games a year in the second level, or I can take that money and use it on a flight to Europe. I love a live NHL game, but I just can't justify the cost. I'm guessing that will be more common. A $200 ticket to something should be a very memorable night, not just one of 41 home games.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by nik-

The cost to value ratio is totally broken. I can go to 4 games a year in the second level, or I can take that money and use it on a flight to Europe. I love a live NHL game, but I just can't justify the cost. I'm guessing that will be more common. A $200 ticket to something should be a very memorable night, not just one of 41 home games.

This. Justifying the amount of money it takes to go to an NHL game is crazy.

[CedarMeter]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It isn't a season ticket holders meeting. Burke is the speaker at a luncheon sponsored by the Canadian Club of Calgary where the topic is "The Challenges of competing in the NHL in Canada."

I'm going to the June 13th season ticket holders meeting at 11:30. Speaking will be Burke, King and Treliving. Should be interesting. Anyone else going?

[homestand]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

I'm going to the June 13th season ticket holders meeting at 11:30. Speaking will be Burke, King and Treliving. Should be interesting. Anyone else going?

Same time for me.

[Bunk]

Mayor's response:

@meyer_lucas

Nenshi on Burke: "Part of the script. We will continue ignoring all this stuff in the media and try and come up with a deal #Flames #yyc

--

Which is the correct reply.

[HotHotHeat]

Hey look, Seattle is announcing a new arena.

http://www.king5.com/news/local/aren...tion/446404255

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I wouldn't say I would be happy if they left, but at this point I think I'd just pick a new team to cheer for until we got another team. That, or just stop watching the NHL all together. I've been slowly losing interest in the league for the last few years now. I used to watch any game any time. Now I pretty much watch Flames games exclusively. The on-Ice product is stale and lacking in originality. The Flames the only thing keeping me interested since I've been emotionally invested in this team since I was 4, so about 19 years.

That said, I'm not a Flames fan first, I'm a Calgary fan. If the Flames want to pack their bags and leave then so be it. WHL hockey is fun and the Hitmen are actually a well run team. I could get behind them easily.

Not sure what the hell Burke was thinking when he went off like this, but I think he's overplaying his hand substantially...

i'd pretty much agree with your sentiments... while i like the Flames and have enough passion to post on a message board, I am not going to bend over backwards to have taxpayers foot the bill for their building either.

Burke, IMO, really came off poorly and that people that were leaning towards supporting them are now leaning towards saying Go F yourself...

i know i am

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

One thing about all of this - it was a Q&A. So if someone asks Burke "Could the Flames leave if they don't get a new arena" what's he supposed to say? He has to say it's possible. At best he could say "no comment" but that'd be taken as a yes anyway.

Senior executives in any company that do media appearances or speak in public get trained on how to navigate minefields and promote the proper messaging.

All he had to say was that discussions are ongoing, they're taking a lot longer than originally thought but that that they're hopeful for a resolution. When prodded specifically about relocation, all he had to say is that it's not something he's giving any energy to and that they're currently focused on (as Treliving would say) the process to get a new arena built in Calgary as soon as possible.

When people speak out like he did today, its usually for a few of reasons:
1) He's an loud mouth that went off script
2) He knowingly did it as part of a strategy to put pressure on government to make the next move

Ken King used #2 a few months ago and had to back track about how he wasn't saying what he was saying. Knowing that, I'd have to suspect that Burke went with #1.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Mayor's response:

@meyer_lucas

Nenshi on Burke: "Part of the script. We will continue ignoring all this stuff in the media and try and come up with a deal #Flames #yyc

--

Which is the correct reply.

Speaking of which, we are now halfway through the 8 week 'deadline' the City Manager spoke of.