Regina | New Mosaic Stadium

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Kind of like the irony of a conservative provincial government lobbying a conservative federal government for government funding for a stadium...

A once in a lifetime investment on a project that'll revilitize a large urban piece of land that will house arts and entertainment as well as the one entity and cultural icon that brings this province together more than anything is a wise investment for any political stripe. $1billlion dollars annually into a TV/radio station that nobody watches (other than hockey), umm I think you get my drift.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Migs

A once in a lifetime investment on a project that'll revilitize a large urban piece of land that will house arts and entertainment as well as the one entity and cultural icon that brings this province together more than anything is a wise investment for any political stripe. $1billlion dollars annually into a TV/radio station that nobody watches (other than hockey), umm I think you get my drift.

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Touchee!

[Bdog]

Interesting column from the Leader Post today:


MANDRYK: Federal politics might still block Saskatchewan's drive for stadium cash

To begin with, the idea isn't going over big with either Conservative MPs or the party's base. Already, Stephen Taylor of the National Citizens Coalition (which Harper once led) and the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation have taken aim at spending money on sports facilities that could be going to reduce deficits or the Conservativefavoured corporate tax cuts. And most Conservative MPs -including Quebec's Maxime Bernier -are either privately or publicly agreeing.

Finally, Harper's Conservatives have likely read the lay of the land in Saskatchewan and found out that something has changed. The enthusiasm for a domed stadium appears to be waning -especially the further you travel from Regina.

There are mounting questions over whether this project is even viable with a $100-million federal contribution. Can the city afford its $60-million share? Can we really get $70 million from the private sector? Who pays for maintenance and upkeep of an indoor facility? Does the province own it? Will the city collect taxes?

I know some have dismissed Mandryk columns before because he is "pro-NDP". However, since the NDP are supposedly behind this project, that shouldn't really matter, should it?

[Spongebob]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Interesting column from the Leader Post today:


MANDRYK: Federal politics might still block Saskatchewan's drive for stadium cash







I know some have dismissed Mandryk columns before because he is "pro-NDP". However, since the NDP are supposedly behind this project, that shouldn't really matter, should it?

Usually I enjoy reading Mandryk's columns, however I'm not sure where he gets his stats from to say that support for a dome stadium is waning. There hasn't been an official poll taken on the issue since 2009. He dismisses the feasiblity study that was done which showed that the domed stadium could turn a modest profit. He also dismisses the fact that compared to Quebec City, the Regina proposal has a much more detailed business plan, a pre-selected site and a professional sports team that is here now and wants a new facility to move in to. Mandryk doesn't give enough credit for the footwork that has already been done on this project. He just comes out and says that the Feds should not contribute. There is over 1 billion dollars in the P3 fund that the government WILL spend. Why not spend a bit in Saskatchewan? Not that I'm against asking tough questions on the viability of this project but I think his bias comes through a little too much in this article.

[thefourthtower]

Originally Posted by Spongebob

Usually I enjoy reading Mandryk's columns, however I'm not sure where he gets his stats from to say that support for a dome stadium is waning. There hasn't been an official poll taken on the issue since 2009. He dismisses the feasiblity study that was done which showed that the domed stadium could turn a modest profit. He also dismisses the fact that compared to Quebec City, the Regina proposal has a much more detailed business plan, a pre-selected site and a professional sports team that is here now and wants a new facility to move in to. Mandryk doesn't give enough credit for the footwork that has already been done on this project. He just comes out and says that the Feds should not contribute. There is over 1 billion dollars in the P3 fund that the government WILL spend. Why not spend a bit in Saskatchewan? Not that I'm against asking tough questions on the viability of this project but I think his bias comes through a little too much in this article.

dont feed the monster

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Interesting column from the Leader Post today:


MANDRYK: Federal politics might still block Saskatchewan's drive for stadium cash

I know some have dismissed Mandryk columns before because he is "pro-NDP". However, since the NDP are supposedly behind this project, that shouldn't really matter, should it?

The column is nothing but an opinion of a political hack who's wrong way more than right. With every column he writes about the stadium, he proves just how out of touch he truly is with the project.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Migs

The column is nothing but an opinion of a political hack who's wrong way more than right. With every column he writes about the stadium, he proves just how out of touch he truly is with the project.

If it's merely his opinion, then how is he wrong way more than he's right? What has he been wrong about? You've implied before that as pro-NDP, his opposition to the stadium should be dismissed - how does that fit in with your assertions that both federal and provincial NDP are on board with the project?

It's clear from most of Mandryk's columns that he isn't in favour of the stadium. But I don't know how this is any different Kevin Blevin's "articles" (which are posted here as well), which read like press releases from the backers of this project. His bias is clearly in favour of the stadium, and are opinion pieces just as Mandryk's are. I guess we'll see in February whose columns were "right"...

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Spongebob

Usually I enjoy reading Mandryk's columns, however I'm not sure where he gets his stats from to say that support for a dome stadium is waning. There hasn't been an official poll taken on the issue since 2009. He dismisses the feasiblity study that was done which showed that the domed stadium could turn a modest profit. He also dismisses the fact that compared to Quebec City, the Regina proposal has a much more detailed business plan, a pre-selected site and a professional sports team that is here now and wants a new facility to move in to. Mandryk doesn't give enough credit for the footwork that has already been done on this project. He just comes out and says that the Feds should not contribute. There is over 1 billion dollars in the P3 fund that the government WILL spend. Why not spend a bit in Saskatchewan? Not that I'm against asking tough questions on the viability of this project but I think his bias comes through a little too much in this article.

I agree that his bias has shown in his columns, just as some other writers (ie: Blevins) have had their bias shown through theirs. However, in regards to the part I bolded, it's interesting that there has been no official poll since before the feasibility study came out - and yet, various supporters of the project argue that "numerous polls" show that a vast majority of residents support the project...

[Spongebob]

Originally Posted by Bdog

I agree that his bias has shown in his columns, just as some other writers (ie: Blevins) have had their bias shown through theirs. However, in regards to the part I bolded, it's interesting that there has been no official poll since before the feasibility study came out - and yet, various supporters of the project argue that "numerous polls" show that a vast majority of residents support the project...

I agree, neither the for or against side should be claiming that their view is more popular until a new poll is done. (if one ever gets done). Having said that, I'm not sure the numbers would move that much from 09 anyways which showed the province pretty much split.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Spongebob

I agree, neither the for or against side should be claiming that their view is more popular until a new poll is done. (if one ever gets done). Having said that, I'm not sure the numbers would move that much from 09 anyways which showed the province pretty much split.

Yeah, I agree with you 100%. One thing that may change people's minds though is the increased cost (as the estimated $430 M wasn't known at the time of those polls)...

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Bdog

If it's merely his opinion, then how is he wrong way more than he's right? What has he been wrong about? You've implied before that as pro-NDP, his opposition to the stadium should be dismissed - how does that fit in with your assertions that both federal and provincial NDP are on board with the project?

It's clear from most of Mandryk's columns that he isn't in favour of the stadium. But I don't know how this is any different Kevin Blevin's "articles" (which are posted here as well), which read like press releases from the backers of this project. His bias is clearly in favour of the stadium, and are opinion pieces just as Mandryk's are. I guess we'll see in February whose columns were "right"...

Its another disadvantage of you living in Manitoba. Mandryk has a reputation in this province for putting a negative spin on things and failing to discuss both sides of the equation if it doesn't suit the tone of his column. Like spongebob stated, he tries to pass off his opinion as fact (ie support is waling) and has in the past gotten into a corner trying to do so. Read Gormley's book titled "Left Out" and you'll get a good glimpse of what Murray Mandryk is all about. IMO he's nothing but an empty suit who dreams back to the days of the CCF.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Yeah, I agree with you 100%. One thing that may change people's minds though is the increased cost (as the estimated $430 M wasn't known at the time of those polls)...

There were alot of things not known at the time of those polls, including all the extremely positive information that came out of the feasibility study. So I think its more likely that support could've actually of increased given that one of the main questions of the naysayers was "is it feasible?" Also remember the $430M includes land costs, which was never included in any of the provinces original quotes as to what the stadium's pricetag would be.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by Migs

Its another disadvantage of you living in Manitoba. Mandryk has a reputation in this province for putting a negative spin on things and failing to discuss both sides of the equation if it doesn't suit the tone of his column. Like spongebob stated, he tries to pass off his opinion as fact (ie support is waling) and has in the past gotten into a corner trying to do so. Read Gormley's book titled "Left Out" and you'll get a good glimpse of what Murray Mandryk is all about. IMO he's nothing but an empty suit who dreams back to the days of the CCF.

Gormley talking about the left wing perspective.....I bet that was fair and balanced..........

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by Migs

Its another disadvantage of you living in Manitoba. Mandryk has a reputation in this province for putting a negative spin on things and failing to discuss both sides of the equation if it doesn't suit the tone of his column. Like spongebob stated, he tries to pass off his opinion as fact (ie support is waling) and has in the past gotten into a corner trying to do so. Read Gormley's book titled "Left Out" and you'll get a good glimpse of what Murray Mandryk is all about. IMO he's nothing but an empty suit who dreams back to the days of the CCF.

Fair enough, I understand that you want to marginalize the voices of those who oppose the project. However, Blevins "tries to pass his opinions as fact" in his columns too, but they are still posted here as though they are unbiased articles.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by CCF

Gormley talking about the left wing perspective.....I bet that was fair and balanced..........

Bdog wanted an example, I led him to one. Its up to him to come to his own conclusions. Off topic, if some of the things Gormely says about the NDP are untrue, why doesn't anyone in that party go on his show and defend themselves? I look at his show as very fair and balanced as he always gives the NDP the opportunity to participate in the debate.

[socialisthorde]

Off topic I know, but GOrmley only invites leftys on so that he can pretend to hear them out and thergy appear fair, only to attack their postion after they leave, so they have no chance to respond. A pretty common tactic on talk radio, but since most listeners side with him, they don't bother to notice. No different than opinion columnists really. Anyway, back to stadium dreamin.

[Migs]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

Off topic I know, but GOrmley only invites leftys on so that he can pretend to hear them out and thergy appear fair, only to attack their postion after they leave, so they have no chance to respond. A pretty common tactic on talk radio, but since most listeners side with him, they don't bother to notice. No different than opinion columnists really. Anyway, back to stadium dreamin.

If the guest in question won the debate, what exactly would the host have to attack? Makes one wonder how Bill Oreilly scored a one on one interview with Obama just before the SuperBowl.

But you are right, lets keep this thread about the stadium!

[UPP]

Just a curiosity question, not a political one: does anyone know whether or not possible federal funding would be lost if an election were called. Is this P3 funding politically based or is it a separate crown?

[Spongebob]

Interesting article. The Federal Tories are feeling the heat from Quebec City to contribute to their rink. Harper needs Quebec to deliver a majority government this year. I think if Quebec had one quarter the business plan for a new rink that Saskatchewan has for a stadium, Quebec would have already had a new rink built.

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/there...719/story.html