Contentious Calgary arena deal enters 3rd day of council debate
Debate over the proposed new arena deal resumes at Calgary city hall Wednesday afternoon, after it was revealed earlier this week the cost had risen from $550 million to $608 million.
The higher cost is being split by the city and the Calgary Sport and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), with up to $25 million earmarked for costs overrun, as per the 2019 agreement, but there is still concern around what the city will pay.
The original contract included a 50/50 split of the proposed $550-million cost to replace the aging Saddledome and provide a new home for the Calgary Flames, Hitmen, Roughnecks and touring events and concerts. Now, both sides are committing an additional $12.5 million and anything beyond this will not be pegged to the city.
The new totals are $287.5 million for the city, and $321 million for CSEC, however this doesn't paint the whole picture for taxpayers.
The city is on the hook for up to $10 million for site preparation, including flood mediation, and more than $4.5 million is for utility relocation, and transportation costs which Mayor Naheed Nenshi says will be minor.
Nenshi also says plans were redrawn because the initial design was not considered accessible, there weren't enough women's washrooms, and luxury boxes were disproportionate to regular seating.
"It's kind of like hiring somebody to build a house for you and the project goes over budget, you have to pay even more and you are giving over complete control over what ultimately gets built," said Ward 11 Coun. Jeromy Farkas, who is running for mayor in October.
"You're still on the hook for the money but you have no insurance that what's going to be built is actually going to serve your needs."
The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is out as project manager as Flames ownership seek one of their choosing.
"I believe our partner is saying, 'we will take on all costs overruns above and beyond anything that's in front of you today,' and remember, there's 12-and-a-half, plus 10, plus 10, plus unnamed operating costs before us today, but they will take on cost overruns for the building," said Ward 3 Coun, Jyoti Gondek, who is also running for mayor.
Debate in council chambers is expected to be heated when it resumes at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.