There’s a new poll out of what Calgary resident think of the CalgaryNEXT plan to build a new combined arena-stadium venue for the Flames and Stampeders, and it looks like this:
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19% strongly support the CalgaryNEXT project
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21% somewhat support CalgaryNEXT
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15% somewhat oppose CalgaryNEXT
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25% strongly oppose CalgaryNEXT
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20% unsure
That’s close to an even split, though the opponents feel more strongly about their opposition than the supporters do about their support. It’s actually more support than I would have expected, given that a city report estimated it would cost the public between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion and Mayor Naheed Nenshi has summed up the plan as “a lot of money that we don’t have,” but it’s apparently right where numbers have been polling for a while now, so “split” seems a fair assessment for now. The headline news appears to be that the opening of the Edmonton Oilers‘ new arena hasn’t gotten Calgarians green enough with envy to reconsider the finances, which I guess these days qualifies as good news.
While I don’t think 60/40 is close to an even split, it still amazes me that 40% think it’s a good deal.
Boy, did I misread that-I added in the 20% unsure as “anti” votes. My bad.
These teams really don’t have that much leverage so far as I can see. Where are they going to go, Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw? Atlanta has already burned through two teams… Public subsidies need to stop. These arenas are for overly compensated boys who entertain the upper class because the have priced the middle class out. This effectively a tax on the poor and the middle class because the rich hide so much if their money. In the end, this arena us built in the backs of people who will never truly enjoy it. Good luck with that.
Joe Leonard, the Flames could come to Seattle if a Key Arena rebuild is conducted and brought up to NHL spec.