A Calgary city councillor has filed a motion on behalf of nine others aiming to revive stalled talks regarding an arena deal for the Flames.
Councillor Jeff Davison says the onus is on the city to reignite discussions with the Flames ownership group. The motion is expected to come before council on May 28.
“We’ve got to change up the way we look at it,” Davison told the Calgary Sun. “At the end of the day, obviously, negotiations came to an impasse the last time, so going back in with the same negotiation team and the same tactics I just don’t think is going to get us there. We’re trying to involve every councillor a little bit differently this go round.”
Fellow councillor Ward Sutherland said the proposal would offer a “blank sheet” when it comes to arena talks.
“It’s too important for Calgary to let this go,” Sutherland said to the Calgary Sun.
Davison says he is against adding more public funds than what has already been offered by the city to any arena deal, but details will be ironed out at a later date. The councillor said he hasn’t spoken with the Flames brass about his notice of motion.
In September, the city proposed a three-way split on the cost of a $555-million arena, with the city and the Flames each paying $185 million and the remaining third raised from a surcharge on tickets.
With files from Canadian Press
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