Prime Minister Stephen Harper says his government is stickhandling with the idea of funding the construction of professional sports venues in cities across Canada, recognizing any financial support for Quebec City must be matched across the country.
The prime minister’s musings were welcomed by the Calgary Flames, who plan to make a pitch for public support for a new arena — one the team hopes will be under construction within three years.
The funding blocker, however, was thrown out by the Stelmach government, with the premier maintaining the province won’t help build new arenas for the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
The mixed financial messages were the latest twists in a week that has seen sports arenas dominate the political arena.
But as momentum builds for a new rink in Quebec City — and for Ottawa to cough up $175 million in the process — the Alberta Tory government is reminding its federal cousins that what’s good for la belle province is also good for Wild Rose Country.
With speculation mounting the federal Conservatives will fork over the requested $175 million, Harper said Thursday his government will never directly fund professional sports franchises.
However, he left the door open for federal dollars being invested in professional sports facilities — including NHL arenas and CFL stadiums — to help communities across Canada.
"I am a big sports fan, of the NHL and the CFL, and we understand that these are very important to our communities across the country and we want to see these operations, which are important to people, thrive," Harper told reporters in Saskatoon.
"In terms of financing major sports facilities, there are demands here, there are demands in Quebec City and I’m aware of demands elsewhere," he added.
"In terms of any of these things going forward, we have to respect the precedents we had in the past and be prepared that any treatment we give to one city we’re prepared to give to all. We’ll be looking at our options in that context."
Quebec Premier Jean Charest promised this week his government will pay $175 million of the construction bill for a $400-million, 18,000-seat arena that Quebec City hopes will lure back a National Hockey League franchise. The city has agreed to pay $50 million, and Charest is urging the Harper government to cover the other 45 per cent (potentially $175 million or more).
Regina is also seeking federal cash to help build a new multi-purpose facility to house the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, with Liberal MP Ralph Goodale calling on Ottawa to contribute "well in excess of $100 million" for a new domed stadium in the Saskatchewan capital.
"Whatever we do in these two cities, we have to be prepared to do everywhere," Harper said.
Premier Ed Stelmach, however, stressed that hospitals and schools — not new sports stadiums — are priorities for his government when it comes to doling out the billions of dollars of annual capital spending.
"There won’t be any public money going to the arenas. We’re trying to catch up with badly needed infrastructure in health and schools," Stelmach told reporters Thursday in Calgary.
"Our teams are doing well. I know the pressures in terms of the need for either refurbishing or new arenas."
The premier noted the province will contribute to surrounding infrastructure for the sports venues — such as light-rail transit — "but the building itself will be private sector."
Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett said he fully expects the Harper government to cough up an equitable amount for Calgary and Edmonton arenas if federal cash goes to Quebec City.
"I would think if you’re going to give to one province, you should be giving to others equally," Blackett told the Herald.
Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome opened in 1983 and is now one of oldest arenas in the NHL, while Edmonton’s Rexall Place — circa 1974 — is even more dated, in age, design and functionality.
It’s estimated the construction costs for each arena could range between $400 million and $500 million.
Flames president Ken King said he’s encouraged by the federal government’s approach, arguing sports facilities are "distinctly different" from franchises, with the venues offering broad appeal and use to the public.
King explained the Flames aren’t quite ready to present their case for a new arena, but hope to access public support — be it infrastructure, direct funding or some other form — when the time comes.
The club has a guideline of playing in a new rink within three to five years, with construction starting within the next two to three years.
"It’s very difficult in this day and age to contemplate a world-class facility in our cities like Calgary or Edmonton or perhaps Quebec City, or perhaps anywhere, without some degree of public support," King said in an interview.
"We’re pleased that they’re suggesting they’ll entertain the notion."
Quickfacts:
Edmonton
Current arena: Rexall Place, third-oldest arena in the National Hockey League, seats 16,839.
Proposed: New arena to be built within five years at a cost of $300 million to $500 million.
Calgary
Current arena: Pengrowth Saddledome, fifth-oldest arena in NHL, seats 19,289.
Proposed: New arena to be built within five years at a cost of up to $500 million, location to be determined.
Regina
Current CFL stadium: Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, seats 30,048.
Proposed: $431-million domed stadium to be built on 13 hectares of downtown provincial land.
jfekete@theherald.canwest.com
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