[News Roundup] CSEC/City arena deal UPDATED: Third Party Facilitator

[Regular_John]

At this point I’d like to see the city looking at alternative uses for the $300m that was earmarked for this project.

We’ve already got a great central library, but it’d be great to see the city do something of that scale with the funds and let it be the lasting legacy from this debacle. Something specific we could point to in ten years time as an example of a city that bucked the trend of bankrolling luxury boxes for the ultra wealthy.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

At this point I’d like to see the city looking at alternative uses for the $300m that was earmarked for this project.

We’ve already got a great central library, but it’d be great to see the city do something of that scale with the funds and let it be the lasting legacy from this debacle. Something specific we could point to in ten years time as an example of a city that bucked the trend of bankrolling luxury boxes for the ultra wealthy.

If we're looking at doing something like that, I'd say put that money towards the new field house which is one of the City's next big projects. Or, a new (and needed) rec centre in the west end of downtown to anchor/kickstart the development of the West Village.

[FranksandBean]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

At this point I’d like to see the city looking at alternative uses for the $300m that was earmarked for this project.

We’ve already got a great central library, but it’d be great to see the city do something of that scale with the funds and let it be the lasting legacy from this debacle. Something specific we could point to in ten years time as an example of a city that bucked the trend of bankrolling luxury boxes for the ultra wealthy.

I would be an interesting middle finger to the flames if the city used the money to build a place for concerts only and cut the sports out of the equation. Maybe they could also transfer the land to the flames for the original Calgary next which the flames were going to fund mostly themselves if my memory is accurate (not as much as it used to be). This way both could save face and move forward without the other party on their own time frame, just a thought.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by FranksandBean

I would be an interesting middle finger to the flames if the city used the money to build a place for concerts only and cut the sports out of the equation. Maybe they could also transfer the land to the flames for the original Calgary next which the flames were going to fund mostly themselves if my memory is accurate (not as much as it used to be). This way both could save face and move forward without the other party on their own time frame, just a thought.

If they spent 300M on a place for concerts that couldn't handle sporting events and as such had no consistent tenant, they'd be crucified.

[Manhattanboy]

Looks like more than one media type is trying to get this thing back on the rails this morning:

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...new-arena-deal

Edit: Yedlin is President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Chancellor of the U of C. Prior to that she was a frequent business writer.

[memphusk]

Between this and the Cold weather, might be time to move down south and become a Stars fan.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Muta

If we're looking at doing something like that, I'd say put that money towards the new field house which is one of the City's next big projects. Or, a new (and needed) rec centre in the west end of downtown to anchor/kickstart the development of the West Village.

Agreed. I think a new field house is the right way to go with that money. West Village would need all of that remediation done (as far as I remember), so perhaps they can book that cash to a savings fund to finally prepare of that expense.

[Vinny01]

So frustrating. Blaming the Flames for this based on what I know.

[Macindoc]

I won’t quote what powderjunkie said, but advocating violence against someone for nothing more than offering a different (and non-offensive) point of view is dangerous and significantly diminishes the decorum of this forum

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Looks like more than one media type is trying to get this thing back on the rails this morning:

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...new-arena-deal

Edit: Yedlin is President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Chancellor of the U of C. Prior to that she was a frequent business writer.

Well, this is obviously just another instance of the Flames emailing print ready articles to Calgary Herald shills.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

It’s weird you guys aren’t kind of more pissed off or something.

You do know that, regardless of what’s said, it’s either a new arena or the team leaves eventually, right? There’s no way the NHL lets a team play in a 40 year old building for long, at least not without a plan in place. There will start to be considerable pressure over the next few years to find a solution, and if that solution isn’t a new arena, well…

Honestly if the Flames leave, then good riddance. Murray Edwards is a terrible person and the rest of the ownership group doesn't exactly look like a smart bunch presiding over one of the worst run franchises in the league over the last 30 years. And even if the Flames leave that doesn't change the fact that Calgary is a lucrative NHL city. Eventually another team would come, and maybe we'd luck out with a more intelligently ran franchise

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Well, this is obviously just another instance of the Flames emailing print ready articles to Calgary Herald shills.

I didn’t know that the chancellor of the U of C was a Flames shill. Has she ever written or done anything else that appeared to be advocating on behalf of the Flames rather than the community?

It seems as if city council’s shills are out in full force on CP, making threatening statements and ridiculous unfounded claims.

It is possible for someone to have a well thought out opinion that is different from one’s own. Free thought and free speech are foundational to our society, and maybe we can all learn from listening to well-researched opposing views.

Edit: my sarcasm meter may have been malfunctioning.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Well, this is obviously just another instance of the Flames emailing print ready articles to Calgary Herald shills.

Slightly different tone than Corbella's piece which could have been titled "Capitulate, you fools!"

[getbak]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1478406833387700225

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Honestly if the Flames leave, then good riddance. Murray Edwards is a terrible person and the rest of the ownership group doesn't exactly look like a smart bunch presiding over one of the worst run franchises in the league over the last 30 years. And even if the Flames leave that doesn't change the fact that Calgary is a lucrative NHL city. Eventually another team would come, and maybe we'd luck out with a more intelligently ran franchise

There is just so much wrong with this:

1. How exactly is Murray Edwards such a terrible person? Because he’s been successful in his business endeavours? Because he’s a tough negotiator?

2. Is Calgary really such a lucrative NHL market? By what definition? Better than break even? What profit margin equates to lucrative? Covid has changed the rules here. Past success is no guarantee of future success.

3. The thinking that Calgary would be awarded another franchise quickly is fantasy. If this group cannot reasonably make a go of things in a new jointly developed arena what makes you think another owner or owners will be able to? See point 2 above.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

I won’t quote what powderjunkie said, but advocating violence against someone for nothing more than offering a different (and non-offensive) point of view is dangerous and significantly diminishes the decorum of this forum

I must be slipping didn't see any threats.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by zamler

I must be slipping didn't see any threats.

The quote starts with “If I had a gun”.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by zamler

I must be slipping didn't see any threats.

Someone made a variation on the old “if I was in a room with X and had two bullets” joke and some took it as a genuine threat. You know how these kids are today with their sensitivity.

It’s gone now though just like the arena deal. Sad trombone.

[Lonestar]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Between this and the Cold weather, might be time to move down south and become a Stars fan.

C'mon down!

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Someone made a variation on the old “if I was in a room with X and had two bullets” joke and some took it as a genuine threat. You know how these kids are today with their sensitivity.

It’s gone now though just like the arena deal. Sad trombone.

I personally know someone who is suffering from chronic trauma after being involved in a school shooting in this very province. Gun violence is a real thing in our society, and I don’t consider gun jokes the least bit funny.

Frankly, I also didn’t appreciate a local community member being compared with delusional egomaniacal mass murderers. Some may consider my reaction over the top, but it was a response to how ever the top the original post was.