How much is each part of this agreement projected to cost? Who's paying for what? And how does this deal compare to previous plans for a new rink which went off the rails in 2019?
Author of the article: Published Apr 25, 2023 • Last updated Apr 26, 2023 • 5 minute read Join the conversationYou can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
The new arena for the Calgary Flames and surrounding amenities and improvements comes with an eye-popping price tag: $1.22 billion.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, orThat cost is split three ways, between the City of Calgary, the Alberta government and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, which owns the Flames. The Calgary Stampede, which owns some of the Victoria Park land up for redevelopment, joined the deal as well through land trades.
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Article contentHow much is each part of this agreement projected to cost? Who’s paying for what? And how does this deal compare to previous plans for a new rink which went off the rails in 2019? Here’s a look at the money involved in Tuesday’s massive arena deal.
The biggest piece of Tuesday’s deal is the new arena and events centre itself, where the Flames will play along with the Calgary Wranglers, Calgary Roughnecks and Calgary Hitmen. The building will also host concerts and other events.
That building is slated to cost $800 million on its own.
An adjacent, 1,000-seat community arena will serve as both bookable space for amateur athletes and a practice facility for the Flames and other teams. That item costs $52.8 million.
Parking for the arena runs at $35.4 million, while an enclosed plaza will cost $35.4 million. An “on-site public realm” will cost $28.7 million, with officials touting the development of indoor and outdoor spaces for community gatherings.
A broad envelope of transportation and infrastructure improvements is slated to cost $238.4 million. That includes utility work and demolition of the Saddledome.
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Roads improvements include a new four-lane underpass under the CP Rail train tracks at 6th Street S.E. with wide sidewalks. Money is also being earmarked for 5th Street S.E. and 15th, 17th and 25th Avenues S.E., all roads with access points to the Rivers District.
Finally, $58.5 million is allocated to unspecified other costs.
The City of Calgary bears the greatest financial burden in the new deal, committing $537.3 million in total. That’s 44 per cent of the total cost.
That money will go toward the new event centre, parking, the enclosed plaza, and 25 per cent of the community rink.
The city portion of the deal comes from funds rolled over from the previous deal, with money from the Financial Stability Reserve making up the difference. Calgary Coun. Sonya Sharp said there would be no hike to property taxes to cover the city’s investment.
“No added taxes to taxpayers. There’s the question, that’s the answer,” Sharp said.
The city would own the new event centre.
CSEC will contribute $356 million, though the Flames ownership group won’t be paying the full bill immediately.
Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article contentThey’re paying $40 million upfront, followed by annual payments that will start at $17 million and increase by one per cent each year over 35 years.
Much like the city, funding from CSEC will go toward the new event centre, parking, the enclosed plaza, and 25 per cent of the community rink.
Officials say the yearly payments mean CSEC’s part of the deal represents more than $750 million over the course of the 35-year term.
As well, CSEC is paying $1.5 million yearly to community sports programs as part of the deal.
The provincial government’s portion of the deal totals $330 million.
The bulk of that — $300 million — goes towards the myriad land and infrastructure costs included in the agreement, including demolition of the Saddledome. The remaining $30 million funds 50 per cent of the community rink.
The provincial cabinet will need to approve that spending by August for the deal to proceed. That would happen after the expected May 29 provincial election.
Though the UCP is celebrating the deal, Concordia University sports economist Moshe Lander said it can’t be counted as final without the NDP also voicing their support, with that party having the potential to win the election next month.
Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content“This deal is not done until (NDP Leader) Rachel Notley has given a firm commitment to the project,” Lander said.
In a statement late Tuesday, Notley said her party would take time to review the deal before further comment, but she voiced concern about the project’s rising costs.
The neighbouring Calgary Stampede isn’t making a financial contribution to the new arena development, but they did join the deal to facilitate land sales.
They’ve agreed to some unspecific land sales and transfers necessary for the project’s construction.
Stampede CEO Joel Cowley said he was “honoured” to be involved in the deal.
“Not only will it serve the citizens of Calgary, but it will provide us with a means to attract and host the world,” Cowley said.
The previous pact between Calgary and CSEC for an arena, inked in summer 2019, initially carried a $550-million price tag. That agreement was structured as a 50-50 split in costs.
Two years later, officials revealed that deal was almost $60 million over budget, and projected costs for the arena had climbed to $608.5 million.
