LET’S BUILD ALL FOUR PROJECTS

There’s a little-known trait about Calgary that few of us admit out loud: most of us are a bunch of cheapskates when it comes to constructing civic infrastructure. And, no, it doesn’t go back to our Scottish origins in this city, which barely acknowledges Robbie Burns or St. Andrew’s days.

It’s just that over the years we have been so frugal and tight that it hurts. Politicians spurred on by loudly parsimonious voters have made careers out of saying no to any project that would add a few dollars to the annual tax bill, regardless of need or want. Witness the penny-pinchers during the recent Olympic bid debate.

As a result, we have the oldest stadium in the CFL, technically the second oldest NHL arena, no field house (Edmonton has three; even Okotoks has one, as Calgary lacrosse players well know), our major theatre/concert venue is outdated and our convention centre is too small to attract big league conventions. For the record, we’re also missing a major public art gallery, aquarium, water park and race car track, but for now, let’s concentrate on the big four projects on council’s table.

To be fair, the city has built a magnificent library and several splendid community sports/ recreation facilities, so it can be done. As well, we’ve certainly had wealthy donors step up to help fund new health and education centres, such as the Taylor Family Digital Library at the University of Calgary.

But when it comes to the public amenities that make a city livable and attractive, we’ve fallen far behind other cities in North America,

This is about making Calgary a better city for those who live here.

such as Columbus and Nashville, not to mention — horrors! — Edmonton.

With four major projects on the bubble, now is the time to step up and commit to Calgary’s future. We say let’s build them all. Build them in a fiscally creative but sensible manner, with secure sources of government and private money. Negotiate hard with the Flames owners and sign a fair deal for a new arena and stadium. Consider ticket or higher tourist taxes. Seek sponsorships. Sell seats. Lottery tickets. Dunk tanks. Whatever it takes.

At an estimated $2 billion, it’s a bargain package compared to the Olympic Games, and it comes without juiced-up Russians.

Let’s give the public lots of time for input. Buy-in is important, or it won’t fly. Sadly, city councillors, failing to learn from the Olympic bid debacle, have once again hidden behind closed doors and have publicly disagreed on whether this is even time to make a decision.

Let’s not pull the economic rejuvenation card again.

These megaprojects will create jobs during the design and construction phases, but except for an expanded convention centre, which could attract thousands of free-spending dentists at a global conference, they won’t be significant economic drivers of Calgary’s annual $120-billion gross domestic product.

As for tourism, within a day’s drive of Calgary are such cities as Edmonton, Red Deer and Regina. Within a day’s drive of Columbus and Nashville is almost half the population of the U.S.

No, let’s build these facilities for Calgarians. We deserve it for our mental and physical well-being. We’ve waited long enough. In the case of the field house, one of our most decorated track athletes has been campaigning since 1967. This is about making Calgary a better city for those who live here.

Stop the whinging and let’s do it.