[News] CSEC and City of Calgary agree to restart formal discussions on new arena

[GreenLantern2814]

I know arena funding wasn’t going to be part of whatever federal/provincial assistance came with it, but we really should’ve gotten the Olympics.

There would be no public appetite to host the world for a second time at the Saddledome/McMahon.

We should explore it again.

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Hey, I am absolutely not a fan of this lady but if she gets the ball rolling and maybe add the equivalent funding that Edmonton got from the province, then I’d be happy.

Just get the damn thing built.

At this point, I'm just hoping she doesn't actually do anything at all... don't roll any balls, don't try and pass any legislation, just nothing, please.

Back on topic, I will admit right off the bat I do not know enough of the various economic/engineering/political or even geographic issues around this whole situation, but I can't help but wonder what could be, every time I drive by the old Greyhound/West village area.

It just feels like such a potentially great location to consolidate sports and other entertainment. Decent access ideally from both sides of the river, C-train station there already, just outside downtown and would add to the skyline, could revitalize the whole area around the C-train station and ultimately (IMO) could truly elevate the city to another level nationally and perhaps internationally if able to attract various teams/events.

I had the chance to visit Melbourne, Australia once, and loved it. One particular area that stood out for me was simply driving by the area where the Australian open is held. It's along a riverway, not overly dissimilar to the West Village area and after many years, I still can't shake the feeling of grandeur and spectacle I felt as I drove by it. Granted, that's likely largely related to the Australian Open being held there, but still, it felt world-class.

Again, I already know there's not unlimited money etc, but my vision would be hockey, open/covered football/soccer stadium surrounded by green space, food and entertainment that is walkable and would bring people even if no sports are happening. Would love to see the possibility of bringing in a MLS team if the facilities are there (though I wonder if there'd be enough of a following currently) but that's truly a personal bias.

Anyways, I know it's likely impossible but man, just thinking about that whole area turned into this giant entertainment area excites me.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Torture

You know, what really need to get this thing built is to make it *more* political. Why stop at the Premier, why don't we get JT involved as well?

Let's get the Trudeau, Notley, Singh alliance!

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by FusionX

At this point, I'm just hoping she doesn't actually do anything at all... don't roll any balls, don't try and pass any legislation, just nothing, please.

Back on topic, I will admit right off the bat I do not know enough of the various economic/engineering/political or even geographic issues around this whole situation, but I can't help but wonder what could be, every time I drive by the old Greyhound/West village area.

It just feels like such a potentially great location to consolidate sports and other entertainment. Decent access ideally from both sides of the river, C-train station there already, just outside downtown and would add to the skyline, could revitalize the whole area around the C-train station and ultimately (IMO) could truly elevate the city to another level nationally and perhaps internationally if able to attract various teams/events.

I had the chance to visit Melbourne, Australia once, and loved it. One particular area that stood out for me was simply driving by the area where the Australian open is held. It's along a riverway, not overly dissimilar to the West Village area and after many years, I still can't shake the feeling of grandeur and spectacle I felt as I drove by it. Granted, that's likely largely related to the Australian Open being held there, but still, it felt world-class.

Again, I already know there's not unlimited money etc, but my vision would be hockey, open/covered football/soccer stadium surrounded by green space, food and entertainment that is walkable and would bring people even if no sports are happening. Would love to see the possibility of bringing in a MLS team if the facilities are there (though I wonder if there'd be enough of a following currently) but that's truly a personal bias.

Anyways, I know it's likely impossible but man, just thinking about that whole area turned into this giant entertainment area excites me.

Billion dollar creosote clean-up and Calgary would be too stretched thin trying to CRL the East Village/River's District AND the West Village. The West Village is still a 15-20 years away project

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by woob

Let's get the Trudeau, Notley, Singh alliance!

gross

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Torture

You know, what really need to get this thing built is to make it *more* political. Why stop at the Premier, why don't we get JT involved as well?

he would rather support a new event centre in a foreign country

[Reggie Dunlop]

It's too early to start panicking over the arena.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by chedder

I really want a new stadium. But if that means Smith is premier for the next 4 plus years I'd rather watch hockey with a hard hat on in a crumbling arena.

I just want the saga to be over.

If Danielle Smith gets hit by a bus? Sometimes life throws you curveballs.

[Ozy_Flame]

This is going to be interesting, considering Jyoti Gondek, other Councillors, and City Staff are now going to have to register as lobbyists to talk to the provincial government let alone anything about arena funding.

The gong show is off to a great start.

[Flames_Gimp]

I just want to see "The Arena deal is in place"

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Let's go right to the top

sgcentral@un.org

Get your head out of the sand bruh, you need to go to the guy who's really pulling the strings!

Klaus.Schwab@weforum.org

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Hey, I am absolutely not a fan of this lady but if she gets the ball rolling and maybe add the equivalent funding that Edmonton got from the province, then I’d be happy.

Just get the damn thing built.

which was nothing.

[rage2]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

Hey, I am absolutely not a fan of this lady but if she gets the ball rolling and maybe add the equivalent funding that Edmonton got from the province, then I’d be happy.

Just get the damn thing built.

I don’t think the province put in any money for Edmonton. Or am I wrong?

[Timbo]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

I just want to see "The Arena deal is in place"

I just want to see shovels in the ground.

[getbak]

I want to see the opening faceoff. Only then will I believe it's really a done deal.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Billion dollar creosote clean-up and Calgary would be too stretched thin trying to CRL the East Village/River's District AND the West Village. The West Village is still a 15-20 years away project

The creosote clean-up is not going to cost anywhere near a billion dollars - Move it over one decimal point (to the lower...).

[Muta]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

The creosote clean-up is not going to cost anywhere near a billion dollars - Move it over one decimal point (to the lower...).

It was valued about $60M in 2015, so I would assume it's somewhat in the same ballpark today. Probably a bit higher, but same ballpark.

[Monahammer]

It would be best for the whole city if the creosote got cleaned up. That is money that should probably come from the provincial government or something similar, while that more appropriate body then pursues the original contaminator in court.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

he would rather support a new event centre in a foreign country

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Billion dollar creosote clean-up and Calgary would be too stretched thin trying to CRL the East Village/River's District AND the West Village. The West Village is still a 15-20 years away project

10 - 20 years is what people were saying when CalgaryNext came out, 10 years ago.

A new arena in West Village would facilitate organic growth in the area - restaurants, etc., which would aid and accelerate the eventual planned growth, once the city is ready to turn their attention to it.

If nothing happens there until the city finishes East Village and finally turns its attention west, we are likely looking at more like another 20 years than 10.

Giving it a jump start, and allowing for the area to make some headway on its own, seems like a better plan to me