Flames to announce plans to announce arena plans in the... future...

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So what? Hamilton built half a stadium and the entire fiasco turned into an embarrassment. Anyone that thinks red tape and bureaucracy are exclusive to Ottawa are out to lunch. If anything it sounds like the city is may be more receptive than Calgary has been to date.

By "receptive" do you mean willing to foot a large portion of the bill? Because I think Calgary would be very receptive, in the actual meaning, if the Flames actual released any sort of plans. Not wanting to pay for it doesn't mean they're not receptive to it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Glendale, AZ and Sunrise, FL would probably give it a run for the money.

I think Ottawa has them beat.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

By "receptive" do you mean willing to foot a large portion of the bill? Because I think Calgary would be very receptive if the Flames actual released any sort of plans.

Have you followed the thread? Nenshi has been ice cold to date towards working with the Flames on this.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Have you followed the thread? Nenshi has been ice cold to date towards working with the Flames on this.

Towards public funding, yes. That's not the same thing. You're entwining the two, they're not entwined.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

Towards public funding, yes. That's not the same thing. You're entwining the two, they're not entwined.

So are you trying to say the Melnyk has claimed he's going to foot the bill for his new arena? Because you commented on my comment of Ottawa looking more receptive than Calgary.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So are you trying to say the Melnyk has claimed he's going to foot the bill for his new arena? Because you commented on my comment of Ottawa looking more receptive than Calgary.

I'm saying not paying doesn't equal not receptive

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm saying not paying doesn't equal not receptive

So can you show us any evidence of the city being receptive to working with the Flames and being receptive doesn't mean; "if you are going to foot the bill 100% we are all ears".

[CliffFletcher]

How can the city be holding up the Flames arena plans with red tape when the Flames haven't even made a proposal to the city yet?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

How can the city be holding up the Flames arena plans with red tape when the Flames haven't even made a proposal to the city yet?

Details shmetails! Spendshi! Ice cold! Silly hall!

[Weitz]

How can you judge the cities receptivennes (even a word?) if they haven't received any sort of proposal?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Weitz

How can you judge the cities receptivennes (even a word?) if they haven't received any sort of proposal?

You can take the mayor's word for it when he says he would happily expedite the process of permits etc once the city has received a proposal.

Considering there is no proposal, that's really the only definitive evidence we have to go on from City Hall and it sounds pretty damned receptive to me.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Glendale, AZ and Sunrise, FL would probably give it a run for the money.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think Ottawa has them beat.

Having been to all three, I can say that Yup, Ottawa is by far the worst.

Glendale is a long way from Phoenix proper, but there are places to stay, and a good entertainment district right there. For a road trip, it's awesome. For home fans, not so much.

Florida is out in the middle of nowhere, and it's hard to get to (we had to take a crazy expensive cab ride because we stayed in south beach, poor decision), but at least getting there was relatively easy.

Ottawa is by far the worst. It's in the middle of nowhere, there is nothing around it (it's been 10 years, this may have changed), and worst of all there is a single access point to the arena from the highway, so getting in/out is a giant clulster.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Glendale, AZ and Sunrise, FL would probably give it a run for the money.

To be sure those are awful, but those cities at least get some mitigation as Phoenix has an arena downtown (America West), as does Miami (American Airlines). I guess Ottawa has the Civic Centre or whatever that old building was.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

So can you show us any evidence of the city being receptive to working with the Flames and being receptive doesn't mean; "if you are going to foot the bill 100% we are all ears".

What are they supposed to be receptive to?

What have the Flames announced as their intention? Where are their plans? What do they want from the City? How much money do they want?

NONE of this is out there.

[BigFlameDog]

If the Flames came out and said they wanted to build a stand alone hockey/concerts only building that only benefits them, they should get nothing and then they would probably go build it in a field....like Ottawa.

What they will probably do is propose a large multi use complex that will have appeal and usage opportunities to the masses, it will no doubt be wrapped in a revitalization package. There may be a stadium, clean the land deals, field house and more sheets of ice, who knows. They will and should receive some sort of partnership from the city for that.

Could be land, infrastructure, whatever...but they will get it.

[GioforPM]

Funding aside, I ride the train over the west side area every day, and I can sure picture the whole sports/entertainment complex there.

[Bunk]

The only connection I'm aware of between "The City" and the Flames has been through the Mayor's Office and some other Councillors. The Mayor and Mayor's Office has met with Flames representatives several times over the past four years (and that continues). Thus far, no concrete proposal has come forward - but ideas and concepts on buildings, sites, financial contributions have, of course, been discussed at a high level. The Mayor's Office has listened and also highlighted challenges with municipal capital finances, etc, but there certainly has not been any indication of not willing to work with the Flames, nor a categorical rejection of contributing in one form or another. The only thing the Mayor rejected was a Mayor-led feasibility committee (like Edmonton did). What the Mayor has said is that we have many capital priorities, little money and there are probably better uses of limited taxpayer money, etc.

For example, a recent quote “Land is also public funding, so we need to have a really good answer as to why that makes sense and, in particular, the West Village has an enormous amount of environment contamination and so any development plan would have to have enough property tax benefit to pay for that environmental cleanup.”

http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/nenshi-wei...#ixzz3LX72pI5l

He's seeking a sound rationale, not saying no way, no how.

[MacDaddy77]

So what I think i understand from Bunk's political speak is...

The deal is done, however we just need to iron out a few details before making it public.

j/k

[Tyler]

So.. I guess another year passes and again, no announcement from Ken King

"Soon"



See ya'll in 2015 I guess

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Tyler

So.. I guess another year passes and again, no announcement from Ken King

"Soon"



See ya'll in 2015 I guess

If your thinking of a 2015 announcement I suggest you don't keep that finger in your bum, the way economics are looking for this city/province next year "soon" could be 4-5 years away.

Saddledome is looking like a nice place when people are suffering to pay heating bills.