Quote:
Originally Posted by wags
It's not just a stadium, it's an entertainment district. Edmonton seems to be doing all right with it, as it has completely revitalized the downtown area there. Probably produced a few jobs over the years it was being built as well. So many tangibles and intangibles would be received from this, short and long term.
How many jobs would be lost if the Flames left Calgary? Why did Edmonton have WAY more events this year than Calgary (comparing arena to arena)? How much EXTRA money did that produce for the local economy, for people's shifts, their bank accounts, the places they spent money, etc, etc, etc. This will have a negative impact on Calgary in a big way if this continues and they ultimately lose the team.
Cheers
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The economic boom did not seem to affect the area around the Coliseum, or Saddledome, much. Nor Commonwealth Stadium or McMahon.
Edmonton's downtown was already in transition, after the closure of the airport, as it allowed tall condos to be built, which kept people downtown, as well as increasing demand for various associated support service industries. Rogers place has contributed little to that, and in terms of jobs created per tax dollar "forgiven" is probably a net loss to the city.
As for "extra money produced", if you subtract the many millions leaving the city to pay the players from the $$ spent by people coming to the city from outside its borders to visit sports venue's, again, that's probably a net loss.
Sorry, I just don't see the value in subsidizing billionaire's and their hobbies.