NOTLEY SPEAKS OUT

Does not rule out provincial money to help with Flames’ new home

Premier Rachel Notley downplayed the prospect of provincial dollars for a new NHL complex in Calgary but kept the door open to the idea Sunday.

On Tuesday, the Calgary Flames will release details on a proposal for a megaproject known as Calgary NEXT, which is expected to encompass an arena for the Flames, a new football stadium for the Stampeders and a field house for amateur sports.

The NHL team has provided initial information to the government about the project but Notley was noncommital on potential funding.

“We need to see what they’re going to propose,” she told reporters at the official opening of NDP candidate Bob Hawkesworth’s campaign office for the Calgary-Foot hills byelection.

“Our view certainly, when we were in opposition, around the Edmonton arena was that ‘ no, that’s not the first priority for government funds.’ But you know what, I’m going to keep an open mind and look at what proposals come forward and go from there.”

Edmonton’s $ 480- million Rogers Place, the new home for the Oilers, is being constructed without direct provincial investment.

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said last week the NDP should make it clear there will be no funding for professional sports facilities.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci said that what he’s seen is “interesting” but provincial funding for the Calgary project has not been part of his preliminary discussions with Flames’ executive Ken King so far.

The Calgary- Fort MLA said he is making no presumptions about what the NHL franchise will ultimately ask for.

“The premier’s view is one based on the history of the party, and we’ll have to have a full discussion about that when it comes before us,” he said.