Edmonton arena could be inspiration for Flames

While municipal politicians in Edmonton recently engaged in a dramatic debate over a proposed new downtown NHL arena, their counterparts here in Calgary on Monday engaged in a somewhat less dramatic debate over the sale of shark fins.

In terms of how elected representatives at the municipal level are prioritizing issues of importance to their respective cities, it presents a striking contrast.

That’s not to say that there isn’t concern in Edmonton over the sale and consumption of shark fins, but conversely, it’s most certainly not to say that Calgary doesn’t have important decisions to be made regarding the home of its own NHL franchise.

In fairness, the major difference in Edmonton is the existence of a proposal from the Oilers, and from that, the existence of a framework for politicians to vote on. While the Edmonton framework faces a glaring $114-million shortfall, it represents a clear choice on whether the city is prepared to commit public dollars in partnering to build a new downtown arena.

At this point, the ownership of the Calgary Flames have not requested or proposed anything with regard to a new arena. But it is clear that the Flames have been long planning for a replacement for the Scotiabank Saddledome, which also happens to be the sixth-oldest arena in the NHL. The lease there expires next year.

It is also safe to assume that the Flames are keeping close watch on the specifics of the Edmonton deal and what it offers to the Oilers. While the votes being cast in Edmonton have no direct bearing here, it does present the Flames with a starting point for what they feel they can reasonably expect from the city.

And while Calgary city council often finds itself preoccupied with dubious and mundane matters, they’ve had little or nothing to say about what they’re prepared to offer the Flames, or where they’re prepared to draw the line.

Given what’s being offered to the Oilers, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Flames won’t make a request. And according to the CBC’s Ron MacLean, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

During Saturday’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, MacLean reported that the Flames would be unveiling their plans for a new arena “in three to four months,” and that it would involve a new downtown arena with the Edmonton deal serving as a template.

Given how tumultuous the debate has been at times in Edmonton, it’s not surprising that the Flames have been so low key thus far. But why have alderman been so, too — especially if they’re in the loop on all of this?

To his credit, Mayor Naheed Nenshi has not skirted the question. On the heels of the vote last week in Edmonton, Nenshi warned the Flames not to expect the same sort of arrangement here, and cited his own personal opposition to using public money to subsidize private business.

However, the mayor is but one vote, and so it would certainly be worth knowing where the rest of council stands.

Hopefully, Calgary politicians will be more willing than their Edmonton counterparts to demand answers on why public money would be needed in the first place. After all, NHL arenas in Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal were all constructed with almost exclusively private financing.

According to Forbes magazine, the Flames — which are valued at $245 million — generated $117 million in revenues last year and a profit of $11 million. The Forbes numbers may not be accurate, but the strength and profitability of the Canadian NHL markets is well established.

Moreover, council should avail itself of the evidence pertaining to cost. In her latest book, Harvard University’s Judith Grant Long looks at 121 professional sports facilities in North America and details how they’ve cost taxpayers $10 billion more than is commonly reported, thanks to a raft of hidden subsidies.

Long’s advice to municipal politicians is to avoid paying building costs. Help with land and infrastructure, if you must, but she argues that on the facility itself, teams should go it alone.

Sage advice, but Calgarians are still left wondering whether their elected politicians will heed it. THE ROB BREAKENRIDGE SHOW AIRS WEEKNIGHTS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. ON QR77. ROB.BREAKENRIDGE@CORUSENT.COM