New poll numbers suggest that some Calgary residents are looking "wistfully at new sports facilities" for the Oilers and CFL Roughriders, even as they "fret over spending public dollars on the ambitious CalgaryNEXT project,” according to Shawn Logan of the CALGARY HERALD. Calgary Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Ken King said that the numbers only “scratch the surface of a project that has many layers, and could ultimately deliver a massive return on investment when all is said and done.” He added that the Oilers' new Rogers Place arena initially was “only an idea coming to Edmonton city council," and there was "significant debate similar to what’s now beginning in Calgary.” King: “That once controversial project is now a huge hit. And I think Calgarians are seeing that.” Logan noted the cost of CalgaryNEXT has been “pegged as high” as $1.8B (all figures C) by city administrators to a “somewhat leaner” $1.3B proposed by CS&E. King said that CS&E has been “working throughout the summer months on a refined plan for the project, which will also look at a so-called Plan B option” (
CALGARY HERALD, 9/14).
