The Calgary Flames were very happy to reveal last month their intention to go ahead with the construction of a new arena, except that the survival of the $ 1.2 billion project may be conditional on the result of Alberta’s general election on Monday.
Indeed, a victory for outgoing Prime Minister Danielle Smith’s Conservatives would virtually guarantee the materialization of the plans of the initiators who wish to set up an entertainment center including an infrastructure intended to replace the Scotiabank Saddledome, where the Flames have played since 1983. , the government has proposed the injection of $330 million in public funds for this purpose; the rest of the bill would be assumed by the hockey team up to $356 million and the City which would pay $537.3 million.
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On the other hand, a defeat of Smith and his troops at the hands of Rachel Notley’s New Democrats could put a spoke in the Flames’ wheels, even if the party much more left-leaning on the political spectrum does not close the door. from the outset of the project.
“As the leader of the New Democratic Party of Alberta mentioned, the arena is a great opportunity for Calgary and the revitalization of its downtown core. Now the total cost has doubled in the past 18 months and the demand on taxpayers has tripled, party spokeswoman Malissa Dunphy told Sportsnet. There’s a lot of information we haven’t received about the arena deal. So we have to look at what’s on the table to make sure we act appropriately.”
Enthusiasm and need to act
A previous plan had been discarded in December 2021 and would have required $550 million, with the costs borne by the municipality and the Flames. The whole thing failed after the two parties were unable to agree on the distribution of an additional sum of $80 million to be paid. This time, the participation of the provincial level – if confirmed – is likely to make the supporters enthusiastic.
In Smith’s eyes, there is a need to act to ensure the sustainability of professional hockey in the city and stimulate an entire region.
“Those who want to have an idea of what will happen here just have to look at Rogers Place in Edmonton. It won’t just be an arena, but a whole sector, she told the same source this week. Legitimate public infrastructure for legitimate public purposes, roads, points, community spaces and a nearby arena: this is what a government must achieve.”
“I’ve been Premier for eight months and I’ve been asked almost daily what I plan to do to improve Calgary’s downtown core. In my opinion, this is absolutely the best thing to do.”
File photo, Lyle Aspinall/Calgary Sun