The city is looking for more information on the Calgary Next sports complex after a report showed it will cost twice as much as expected.
The city manager released a report last week that said the project would cost $1.3 billion to taxpayers, in part because the clean-up needed for creosote contamination from a plant that closed back in the 1960’s. It would take 6 to 10 years to clean up the site before construction could begin.
Despite the hurdles, council hasn’t cancelled the plan, but is looking at other options, including building a new arena at Stampede Park, renovating McMahon Stadium and putting a fieldhouse at Foothills Park as originally planned.
Council plans to meet privately with the Flames and Stampeders ownership group to determine what to do.
“It's going to be tough but certainly CSEC should have a chance to try and address some of the concerns and see if they can be met,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “I'm not optimistic on that but I think that counsel started a conversation to see if there are any other alternatives.”
However, the President of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation is optimistic that Calgary Next will happen.
"There are central tenets to our proposal, one is West Village will be developed, one is creosote be cleaned, and one is a Fieldhouse will be built,” said Ken King. “If anyone of those tenants are pulled, we have a big hole but it would appear all those are germane to this discussion so I'm thrilled frankly.”
Some councilors are asking if a new downtown convention centre could be part of the project. The meeting between the city and those behind Calgary Next will take place in June.
