[News] Bettman urges new arena ASAP

[Kjesse]

There is a clip from the Bettman speech online at the Herald, the supporting article didn't contain these words but the video does. Yes, this is what Bettman said:

"It is not an overstatement to say the future stability, viability and continuity of the Calgary Flames, and perhaps the City of Calgary, rests on the achievement of CalgaryNEXT."

"Calgary is a great city. Its NHL team has a great history, great ownership, great players. It would be a shame if Calgary were to fall further behind."

"I encourage you in fact, I beg you, to support this effort. Please make the most of this opportunity and let those in power know how you feel."

Wow.

He then in an interview clip implies that Calgary needs this to attract high quality players, among other things.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by browna

2013 flood repair ring a bell? Compressing 5 months of work into 2? With crews in there within 2 days after the flood?

Who actually paid for this? My bet is the Alberta/Canada government for flood relief.

A quick google search didn't turn up who actually paid for it. Maybe you have a source to show that the Flames paid for it?

The refurb in 2004 of the nosebleeds, which were closed in the late 90's, and not opened until easrly 2004 when it looked as it the Flames needed.

The problem with the Saddledome is the dated concourse and the structure not being designed to support modern concerts. The renovation of the nosebleeds was clearly economical, but renovating the concourse for fan experience clearly was not. My issue is basically that they are trying to put clearly uneconomical things onto the city, while trying to keep all the profits for themselves.

Also, as an example, the ice plant has been replaced 4 times in the life of the building. It can't be made any better than it is, given everything else with the rest of the building, but its just as expensive to build and maintain in a brand new building.

Fair. I'd consider this an operational cost rather than actual improvements to the building though.

-Coyotes are likely moving from Glendale, to somewhere else in Phoenix, given the terrible proximity to anything.

- Lucrative land with the right developer. They've lined up for the past 2 decades and all fallen short when its time to put money down, not just pretty drawings (and Canals, just like Amsterdam!) on the East Village.

- West Village has had two car lots on it and a now shell of a building once a bus station, for the past 30+ years. Oh, and it has contaminated soil that has to be cleaned up. Lucrative indeed.

I'm actually okay with the city reclaiming the land to make it actually lucrative if the Flames/other developers pay for the rest of the complex. I don't want them to use CRL or any sort of city money for it. The developers can make an economic argument themselves without taxpayer money.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Delgar

"It is not an overstatement to say the future stability, viability and continuity of the Calgary Flames, and perhaps the City of Calgary, rests on the achievement of CalgaryNEXT."

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Delgar

There is a clip from the Bettman speach online at the Herald, the supporting article didn't contain these words but the video does. Yes, this is what Bettman said:

"It is not an overstatement to say the future stability, viability and continuity of the Calgary Flames, and perhaps the City of Calgary, rests on the achievement of CalgaryNEXT."

"Calgary is a great city. Its NHL team has a great history, great ownership, great players. It would be a shame if Calgary were to fall further behind."

"I encourage you in fact, I beg you, to support this effort. Please make the most of this opportunity and let those in power know how you feel."

Wow.

He then in an interview clip implies that Calgary needs this to attract high quality players, among other things.

They probably shouldn't have turned in their first draft for marks then.


If actually believes this then he should be pissed at the ownership for a joke of a presentation.

[Manhattanboy]

Agreed a gross overstatement.

But unless oil recovers in a major way what's to stop Calgary, and particularly the core, from becoming the next Detroit? NEXT is not the only answer but a city has to invest in its future. It cannot rely entirely on the private sector.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Agreed a gross overstatement.

But unless oil recovers in a major way what's to stop Calgary, and particularly the core, from becoming the next Detroit? NEXT is not the only answer but a city has to invest in its future. It cannot rely entirely on the private sector.

A professional sports team does not make your economy, it is a beneficiary of your economy. I think that's well settled.

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Delgar

A professional sports team does not make your economy, it is a beneficiary of your economy. I think that's well settled.

The multiplier effect of a pro sports team is undeniable.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

The multiplier effect of a pro sports team is undeniable.

Really? Read this: http://people.wku.edu/dennis.wilson/...Facilities.pdf

EDIT: For all interested, read page 87, the paragraph that starts with, "If the real reason...".

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

The multiplier effect of a pro sports team is undeniable.

Any studies you can link to to prove its undeniability?

Most studies I've seen have shown that even with all the crazy "multiplier effects", it's still break even.

[Flash Walken]

Nenshi's dismissive tone looks much more appropriate when contrasted with Bettmans insulting comments above.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by Regorium

Any studies you can link to to prove its undeniability?

Most studies I've seen have shown that even with all the crazy "multiplier effects", it's still break even.

Its controversial, let alone "undeniable". I'd say Manhattanboy has no credibility.

[Samonadreau]

Bettman can go blow a goat.

[nik-]

Guys, we better hurry up and fork over half a billion before our ####ing city implodes

[Manhattanboy]

Agree undeniable is not a proper description. But positive. From the Conference Board of Canada:

http://www.conferenceboard.ca/econom...s_economy.aspx

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

Agreed a gross overstatement.

But unless oil recovers in a major way what's to stop Calgary, and particularly the core, from becoming the next Detroit? NEXT is not the only answer but a city has to invest in its future. It cannot rely entirely on the private sector.

The money that drives a professional sports teams business (and other resultant businesses) is the result of disposable income in the local economy. A hockey team cannot self-induce it's own demand and drive an economy.

Calgary DOES need to spend money downtown, but it's in incentivization to draw new business to fill the empty office space with non oil and gas industry to diversify.

[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.

[curves2000]

Some of the stupid comments being posted here by some have me asking why the hell are we not investing more money into public education !!

Lots of talk about needing to push this project hard in order to attract another Winter/Heritage Classic. Outside of the awful Vancouver game which featured Eddie The Legend Lack in goal; and a 94 Cup "Finalist" team, all the outdoor games have been played outdoors. Really not sure our creosote free " indoor fieldhouse" will assist YYC in getting another OUTDOOR game.

Although in different economic times, the 2011 Classic that was played in Calgary lead all previous outdoor games in terms of pure dollar corporate sponsorship with Tim Hortons leading the charge. 40 000+ fans up paying much higher ticket prices than an already higher than average Flames home game. Jersey and merchandise sales were great and everybody I know got just blasted on $9 beers to try and stay "warm" in the freezing conditions.

Without concrete numbers in front of me I would argue that the game here generated total revenue within an arms each of any outdoor game with the exception of the game last year in Michigan and probably this years. This is still Canada where hockey is #1.


Another important fact most don't know is that a levy of 2 or 3% of each ticket goes to a maintenance fund to pay for existing up keep of the Dome. You don't think the sweet heart deal the Flames signed in 1995 with the City to manage the building and collect all revenue from ALL events had them paying out of pocket for renos and up keep? In exchange for this deal I believe the Flames were required to donate $1 mil a year to amateur sports and such through their Flames Foundation. They do a great job of being good citizens in Calgary but the ownership group has a decent little revenue generator in the Dome for many events.

Also why does the city not get $1 in revenue from this proposal for events in the field house?? If they are in essence paying for it with the $200 mil shouldn't there be something coming back from the daily events, concession, parking, rental revenue etc? I get that with the arena portion the ownership group is covering $200 mil and the remainder will be a ticket tax, user pay model which is fine. Let them manage that in full.

If the deal as its currently proposed applied to other government assets like roads and hospitals where the government foots the bill but a "management corporation" keeps all the revenue from users we would never allow it to happen. Lots of talk about private business getting public money but the way I look at it is more along the lines of private business profiting off public assets.

Just my contribution to this rant. LOL

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by DJones

1988 Oylimpics is a glaring one. I think Vancouver did alright as well. The economics of an arena is impossible to calculate. Has anyone done any studies of how the lock out affected local businesses?

You mean the Vancouver arena that was built all by private funds?

[TheOnlyBilko]

and I will never have to drive to Edmonton or Saskatoon to watch a concert again.

Just curious, what concert has gone to Saskatoon that didnt come to Calgary?

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by DJones

Think of how depressing Calgary would be without the Flames, Stamps(who in their right minds would buy them without a stadium), and Roughnecks.

Only for us big time sports fans. Calgary has a big population now but so many people here have no idea who the Flames or Stamps even are. I'm not exaggerating almost everyday I'm telling someone who the Flames are.