Calgary Flames willingness to look at CalgaryNext alternatives welcomed by city
Pro sports owners' group and city will examine less costly alternative to CalgaryNext in West Village
Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the city is pleased that a professional sports ownership group is open to discussing alternatives to the CalgaryNext development it's proposing for the West Village.
CalgaryNext would see a new hockey arena and covered football stadium, as well as a field house complex, built on land just west of downtown Calgary. City council balked at the cost, which it evaluated at $1.8 billion including $1.2 billion of public investment.
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In a letter to season ticket holders, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. says it has agreed to the city's request to consider alternate plans.
Mayor Nenshi told reporters the owners admitted in the letter that the city's evaluation of the project's price tag is accurate, and they realize it has little chance to be built in its current form.
"It was very, very clear, in the last report to council, that the CalgaryNext proposal in West Village faces incredibly high, if not insurmountable hurdles," he said.
Nenshi said there will be more discussion of CalgaryNext at the meeting, as well as alternatives, which might involve building a new arena at Stampede Park and renovating McMahon stadium for football.
The Calgary Sports and Entertainment Group will appear before city council to give a formal reply to the city's report later this month.
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