Oilers Get 450M Arena Deal

If the Flames try the same thing here, they’re have to deal with me noisily condemning them.

Personally, I love the Dome, I think it is one of the iconic landmarks in Calgary, people new to Calgary always comment on it. So I hope the Flames play there for as long as possible.

I would never support Flames owners asking for money from the Govt but my view is that if Edmonton gets money, Calgary should get the same. It is just the point of fairness.

It is the whole reason why the Feds probably want to stay away from it because once you do it for one city, the expectation will be rooted to do it for all the rest.

Quebec has already been denied federal money for a new arena. So don’t expect that to happen and time soon.

Alberta has also said they will not fund pro sports teams, I believe. However, given that Katz’s proposal includes all the urban landscaping and development along with the arena, he may be able to get around it.

Chances are though, this is just a tentative private-public partnership agreement from the city. The next fight is to get the province and feds on line. That will be no easy task if the agreements aren’t already in place. Cities are always the first to approve a deal like this, but the last to get their money in. Unless the feds/province pony up the cash first, Edmonton won’t be left holding the bag.