Quote:
Originally Posted by milomilo
To be clear, are you talking about this video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=302&v=gS5HCP1vjZg
Because I can't see what Nenshi said that equates to what you are saying. Nenshi stated that he thought that Victoria park was the better option and doesn't think the public should pay to build the Flames' arena in the West Village. Doesn't sound controversial to me, unless you're a douchebag entitled sports team corporation owner. Not that it matters now anyway as we hold the cards and should act like it - we have nothing to lose, except the Flames, which isn't a loss if you are a rational person.
I agree that an arena is a waste of space - whether it's in the West Village or the East Village. Build it in Balzac. It'll be cheaper to build, it's got two freeways servicing and we don't waste land on a church. Everyone's a winner. |
Nenshi’s campaign video is basically the negotiating equivalent of proposing to your girlfriend at someone else’s wedding reception. It is obnoxious and risky to begin with but in this case he was attaching the Flames to a proposal they had not merely rejected but had caused them to end negotiations entirely weeks earlier, that was definitely out of line.
When you attempt to negotiate in public the hope is that by making things public the other side will be less likely to make a scene and that the outside observer will become invested in the outcome and their enthusiasm will sway the other party, this obviously didn’t happen and positions have only hardened. I am also not convinced anyone is longing for the day they can go to a Margaritaville next door to Alpha House.
Unless you know of another NHL franchise that is interested in relocating to the Saddledome or in willing to substantially spend their own money to build something to precisely the mayor’s specifications we’re just going to have to deal with the Flames ownership be they douchebags or not.
If there is no deal and the Flames leave the city just ends up having to replace the Saddledome in the future with no substantial private contribution except the naming rights to a building without a professional tenant and that building with be built with a future NHL franchise in mind whether you like it or not.
I would be content to give them the West Village lands in exchange for a performance bond repayable when they complete the creosote remediation and an arena-only plan that isn’t as ridiculous as CalgaryNEXT. They can then develop the rest of the area with their partners as they see fit and profit obscenely - or not. I would prefer it be built at Firestone or a location to be determined in the wasteland east of Macleod Trail. If there is to be a public contribution I want to see it applied in a way that will elevate the area where it is built. I think building it in Victoria Park would probably be detrimental to the area instead. Although I also don't care if the Flames just leave.
Pride is a very dangerous motivation in negotiations and saving face is usually a Pyrrhic victory. If there is going to be an arena built in Calgary in the next twenty years it is best to secure the greatest contribution possible from the Flames. If the Flames aren't around to contribute you're going to be shaking WestJet down for a few million bucks for the naming rights and paying for the rest.
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