Calgary Next proponent optimistic with plan
New poll numbers suggesting some Calgarians are looking wistfully at new sports facilities in Edmonton and Regina, even as they fret over spending public dollars on the ambitious CalgaryNEXT project, aren’t causing the plan’s main proponent to lose any sleep.
A day after an exclusive Postmedia/Mainstreet Research survey found some are feeling pangs of envy as Edmonton’s Rogers Place and Regina’s Mosaic Stadium open their doors, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation president and CEO Ken King said the numbers only scratch the surface of a project that has many layers, and could ultimately deliver a massive return on investment when all is said and done.
He noted when Rogers Place was only an idea in Edmonton, there was significant debate similar to what’s now beginning in Calgary.
“That once controversial project is now a huge hit. And I think Calgarians are seeing that,” King said.
“I’m thrilled at the fact we’re making progress here. And I think what we end up with will be very palatable to the public.”
The Mainstreet poll, which surveyed 823 Calgarians last week on their opinions about the multimillion-dollar project being spearheaded by Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp., found while some watched with envy as other cities put the finishing touches on their own facilities, the question of public funding remained a nonstarter for the majority.
Even though 52 per cent were in favour of a new arena and stadium for the hometown Flames and Stampeders, and another 40 per cent supported the CalgaryNEXT proposal, some 51 per cent opposed the proposed funding model — a mix of private funding, taxpayer investment and public borrowing — pitched by CSEC.
The cost of the project has been pegged as high as $1.8 billion by city administrators to a somewhat leaner $1.3 billion proposed by CSEC, which would include environmental cleanup of the creosote-contaminated West Village, along with a new state-of-the-art arena and CFL stadium that would double as a public-use field house.
The lingering opposition to the proposed funding model comes as no surprise to Paige MacPherson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who said the notion of spending public dollars on a new arena to house players making millions of dollars is not remotely acceptable to most Calgarians, especially in a time of economic turmoil.
“What it comes down to is it seems quite absurd to have a very profitable franchise come to the taxpayers, who are obviously cash strapped — it just doesn’t make sense,” she said. “Professional sports franchises have done this in other Canadian and American cities and they haven’t seen the great economic impacts they were promised.
“Calgarians shouldn’t fall for it like other governments have.”
But for at least one city councillor, the success and hype over Edmonton’s Rogers Place, which was built using a similar financial model to the one being pitched to Calgary politicians, should make some on council take notice.
“I’m so envious of what they’ve done up there. They appealed to that city council for funding and they found a way to make it work,” said Coun. Dianne Colley-Urquhart. “When you’re working with key stakeholders, Edmonton has demonstrated where there’s a will there’s a way.”
Premier Rachel Notley on Tuesday said she’s not ready to commit to public funding for any infrastructure project before she’s seen a final proposal.
“What I will say is obviously there are a number of different infrastructure demands on our province,” she said. “Our government, as you know, has made a significant investment in infrastructure because we understand now is the time to build. But that kind of program or ask will be measured against others, like schools and hospitals and roads and water infrastructure. So, you know, we’ll consider it in due course should a proposal come forward.”