Arena Negotiation Discussion v2

[Manhattanboy]

A motion arising to have the event centre assessment committee conduct public engagement on the terms of a deal with the Calgary Flames. PASSES unanimously. #yyccc

[Bunk]

From what I’ve heard these numbers are no secret to the Flames. I’d expect things to finalize quite quickly now that the committee has their funding framework greenlighted to the negotiation table.

This is a big milestone.

[Reggie Dunlop]

How does the Arts Commons and BMO centre expansion get piggy-backed to the Arena proposal?

Fieldhouse is a No-Brainer. Desperately needed facility.

These should all be dealt with individually.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

How does the Arts Commons and BMO centre expansion get piggy-backed to the Arena proposal?

Fieldhouse is a No-Brainer. Desperately needed facility.

These should all be dealt with individually.

The City portion comes all together in one approval package, but they are separate projects. BMO has some government commitments already, Arena ofncpirse requires Flames portion. The Arts Commons and Fieldhouse contribution will no doubt be contingent on provincial and/or federal funding as well. I can’t see the City paying 100% for those major projects. In other words, if other Arts Commons funding does not come through, it won’t have any impact on the arena.

[dino7c]

good, just get it done

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by dino7c

good, just get it done

That’s Larry the Cable Guy’s perspective as well.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Bunk

From what I’ve heard these numbers are no secret to the Flames.

Wait... you're saying someone was leaking the City's negotiating position to CSEC?

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Wait... you're saying someone was leaking the City's negotiating position to CSEC?

No - not that the City has a completely unknown number that they were to bring to the Flames and someone leaked it. More - both sides have been talking for months and, it is openly known the kind of numbers necessary to make a deal, and what Council approved are in line with those. In other words, what the City presents will be no surprise.

[Muta]

Th BMO Centre expansion will be starting soon, so that's already underway; decision on the prime consultant will be made very shortly here.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Bunk

No - not that the City has a completely unknown number that they were to bring to the Flames and someone leaked it. More - both sides have been talking for months and, it is openly known the kind of numbers necessary to make a deal, and what Council approved are in line with those. In other words, what the City presents will be no surprise.

Fair enough, if you know that though then I assume you also have an inkling of how different these negotiating terms are from the last negotiating terms?

[Canadianman]

I feel like I just lost a $1.5B bet.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Canadianman

I feel like I just lost a $1.5B bet.

That can't be a good feeling. Hopes and prayers.

[Parallex]

Were all four projects supposed to up for approval yesterday or did that occur in-camera?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Bunk

No - not that the City has a completely unknown number that they were to bring to the Flames and someone leaked it. More - both sides have been talking for months and, it is openly known the kind of numbers necessary to make a deal, and what Council approved are in line with those. In other words, what the City presents will be no surprise.

If you and I know something we want to build together costs $600 million, and we suggest that splitting the cost somehow would make sense, it's not a "leak" if a number thrown about for a contribution from either of us is $300 million or thereabouts.

[oldschoolcalgary]

I am all for a new arena so long as they can find an equitable split.

the fact that the new arena is being combined with other need infrastructure, like the convention center, is a smart way of doing it.

[Jimmy Stang]

I'm just glad that the city and CSEC are actually at the table together. CalgaryNext was such a debacle. The Flames essentially walked in unannounced, threw a turd on the table, yelled "eat it!" at the city, and then sulked when the plate was pushed away.

I have a lot more faith in the process with CMLC involved, and I think that we will end up with a plan and funding model that is agreeable for most Calgarians. I'm fine with some public money as I believe that there is some public benefit, especially when it is closely tied to a properly planned, large scale redevelopment.

It seems that the gap has been bridged between the Flames and the City, and there won't be the public bitching and moaning this time.

[Bunk]

I've heard the term "50/50" split.

However, I have no idea how that breaks down - who is backstopping ticket tax, how much is land or land positions, where revenue flows. I imagine those are the details to be ironed out over the next 6-8 weeks.

[Ozy_Flame]

Will be interesting to see how much money the City spends when the dust settles on this current round and on what. I was in favor of the Olympics for the very reason that some of this could have been funded by the province and the feds.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

It seems that the gap has been bridged between the Flames and the City, and there won't be the public bitching and moaning this time.

One would hope.

God help us if Ken King decides to start giving public lectures on municipal financing, taxation, and CRL's again. Hopefully, he's learned his lesson and CSEC will stick to what it knows how to do, entertainment, and leave development to CMLC.

If CSEC wants to diversify their business into a development company, then hopefully they've learned to partner with someone who knows what they're doing (CMLC) instead of acting like they already know everything while dumping as much risk on the public as possible.

[Yoho]

Jeff Davison deserves allot of credit if this comes to fruition IMO.