CALGARY-NEXT DEAD IN THE WATER
CALGARY – A Calgary city report says a proposal to bring a new NHL and CFL stadium to the city would likely cost much more than originally anticipated.
The city report, released Wednesday, says the CalgaryNEXT arena-and-stadium project could reach a price tag of $1.8 billion – with $1.3 on taxpayers’ shoulders.
The original estimated cost of $890 million was announced last August.
“Administration has come to the conclusion that CalgaryNEXT is not feasible in its present form or location,” the report reads.
The proposed sports complex would feature a 30,000-seat football stadium and 20,000-seat hockey arena and would be located on the west end of Calgary’s downtown, a site that will need to be decontaminated because it was once a creosote wood-treatment plant.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi released a statement Wednesday outlining “significant challenges” with the CalgaryNEXT proposal including the cost, proposed location and timeline based on the city report.
“I know many Calgarians are looking for a better arena space, but this is just one option,” Nenshi said in the statement, adding that City Council will discuss the report on Monday.
“We will make decisions on the recommendations at that time,” he said.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman urged the city to get moving on a new arena when he visited Calgary in January.
“The longer it takes, the harder the task becomes. CalgaryNEXT needs to happen and as part of the broader project, the Flames need a new arena,” Bettman said then.
The Scotiabank Saddledome, built in 1983, will be the oldest NHL arena next season.
(Canadian Press)
When Flames multi-millionaire Murray Edwards packed up and moved to the UK (he said due to taxes in Alberta), the Flames can go suck a lemon for any public money.
1.8 Billion? Thats peanuts to us oil gazillionares, just find a siutable location preferable on higher ground and get it done. By the way, f*~~ Bettman and anyone who looks like him.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Joe Louis Arena is older. The new arena in Detroit isn't scheduled for completion until the fall of 2017.
Logistics problems aside, it was a fugly concept.
And Ken King can suck his thumb and look for handouts for a while longer. Cmon Ken, move the team(s)!
Bettman's an twerp that thinks he can push people around. Go suck an egg! Don'know why all tax payers should have to pay that much. Flames and Stumps want that fancy new arenas they should pay majority.
How's saskatchewan's NHL arena coming along?
That's a good question. Maybe Regina should augment it's beautiful new football stadium with an arena, and give the flames the chance to move here.
This is just the first step of the fight. Its not dead at all this is a positioning. The city has inflated their numbers to go after more private investment. With the new rink opening in Edmonton its only a matter of time before Calgary wants something nicer. An Mcdump is the worst CFL stadium hands down to watch a game.
I really do question why any city in Alberta needs an NHL arena, there hasn't been NHL quality hockey played there in decades.
I don't know about the worst.. commonwealth is downright cavernous and often like a quarter full of thier meat head self righteous fans.. well maybe only a a fifth when the riders play there. Esks fans are the worst most impolite ignorant people I've come across. They make an otherwise mediocre city I used to live in look terrible. Glad I moved back so I can only return the gesture I used to hear allot. "Oh your from edmonton? Sorry.. "
ignorant sask fans…typical. Self righteous fans = riders fans. Regina is a dump and also alberta teams have fought for the cup twice in the 2000's if I am not mistaken.
Worst stadium in Canada… Mosaic, Regina, Sask.
Really ??
" Anonymous said…
I really do question why any city in Alberta needs an NHL arena, there hasn't been NHL quality hockey played there in decades."
And how many NHL teams does Saskatchewan have.
Again .. like I said before guys. Sorry
I swear it's that homer Bryan hall commenting on here .. give it a rest Hallsy. Your Jelous we get it point made move in with your life
Typical hypocrite Albertans, think they can come here and insult Saskatchewan and have to hear nothing in reply. A bunch of spoiled, whiny, ignorant, arrogant and entitled fools who would have starved to death long ago if they lived anywhere else in the world, but just so happened to luck out and be born on top of a lake of oil. Seeing their hopes and dreams go unfulfilled, their economy in the tank fills my heart with joy. Enjoy the hate you arrogant SOBS, you brought it on yourselves. P.S. I don't live in Saskatchewan, but seeing the way Albertans… Read more »
Just because a chihuahua yaps a lot doesn't make him a big dog.
Words for Regina to live by.
Sorry .. bud
Keep cheering for your crappy NHL teams. The owners love pigeons like you, they will use your tax money and EI cheques to build the best AHL facility in North America
All those comments about the NHL side of the story, yet no comments about the cancellation of the CFL stadium? Just when you thought this was a football dominated comments section, suddenly everyone overlooks the CFL angle… and only wants to talk NHL and the Flames.
I will say this though, the CFL stadium proposed was damn ugly anyway!
Go Riders!!!
In Your Backyard
That's why no one cares about the Schmos or Waampeders. It's all Oilers Flames. That's why the Schmos and Waampeders can't draw a crowd, especially once the NHL starts.
And that's why the Schmo fan comes on here for his CFL news.
That's why I feel sorry for him. Poor guy.
Hope Alberta enjoys being run by the ONLY NDP's in power in all of Canada. they will be bankrupt within 3 years.
You need to take it easy with that rhetoric buddy honestly. I have friends and family in alberta and trust me there's huge buyers remorse. Complacency set in with the pcs and they were almost rubbing tbe corruption in the people's faces. They were spending like drunken sailors and the same thing could easily happen here if we don't keep these guys in check. (Gawd let's hope it doesn't! Bill boyd). The wild rose cut thier own throat by crossing the floor just before the election. There was no other choice unfortunately. Even the Ndp wasn't prepared to get in… Read more »
Thanks for the tip "buddy" lol
Anytime "buddy"
500 jobs cut from Cameco AFTER the election and you guys are singing praises.
thanks tips