PARKLAND

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR COUNCILLOR
DRUH FARRELL
WARD 7
ward07@calgary.ca • www.druhfarrell.ca
Twitter: @DruhFarrell • Facebook: Druh Farrell
The Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation recently
unveiled a proposal for a new multi-sport complex
in West Village to accommodate the professional
and amateur sports teams that they own and operate.
Many Calgarians are excited about new facilities where
they can enjoy watching their Flames, Stampeders, Hitmen,
and Roughnecks play.
The proposal, CalgaryNEXT, requires the City of Calgary
to contribute public money and land. The proposal estimates
that the new facilities would cost around $900
million. The ownership group would contribute $200
million dollars, with the rest coming from the City, general
and special taxes, and a Community Revitalization
Levy (CRL).
Calgarians are proud of their teams, and so am I. They
contribute greatly to Calgary’s identity and civic pride.
However, several critical questions and considerations
need to be addressed:
• The current proposal does not factor in the value of the
land.
• Portions of the proposed location are contaminated.
Studies are required to determine the extent of the
contamination and clean-up costs, which could exceed
several hundred million dollars. Who pays for the
clean up?
• Who pays for the unfunded components of the project,
including major transportation and utility upgrades?
Can the transportation system handle the intensity of
use generated by a multi-sport complex?
• The costs of repurposing or demolishing the Saddledome
and McMahon Stadium have not been
included. Is downtown the best location for a field
house? How will the loss of the Saddledome concession
revenues impact the viability of the Calgary
Stampede?
• A CRL is essentially a loan on future tax revenue, generated
within a fixed boundary and term. Can West Village
generate sufficient CRL dollars to fund the infrastructure
required for redevelopment of West Village,
plus an arena?
• CRLs can be high-risk ventures. To mitigate risk, a CRL
needs a stable financial anchor. Where will the tax revenue
come from to repay the CRL, considering the current
Saddledome does not pay property tax?
• Should public dollars be used to fund a private, forprofit
corporation? Will the corporation share revenues?
I do not doubt that the need for modern sports and
entertainment facilities exists. The City must first take a
step back though, answer fundamental questions about
the future of West Village, and require a comprehensive
business case to ensure that this proposal is in the best
interests of Calgarians. I look forward to reviewing a
business case and discussing the proposal with Ward
7 residents, the ownership group and my Council colleagues.
There will be a lot more to come on this topic – for updates,
please visit druhfarrell.ca.
COUNCILLOR, WARD 14
PETER DEMONG
www.calgary.ca/ward14
eaward14@calgary.ca or 403 268-1653
Greetings Ward 14!
The leaves have fallen, kids will be out for Halloween
soon, and the Ward 14 Communities BBQ was a success.
It was a great time, but more on that next month.
If you missed the BBQ this year, that’s okay. I’ll do it
again next year. Keep in mind though that I do send out
reminders about the BBQ, and you can only get those
reminders if you’ve subscribed at www.calgary.ca/ward-
14connect.
Free Leaf and Pumpkin Drop-off
With the leaves on the ground and the jack-o-lanterns
destined for a bin in the back alley, it is the perfect time
to remind you of an ongoing program at the City of Calgary:
the Leaf and Pumpkin composting program. The
program is currently underway, and until November 8
you will be able to drop off leaves and pumpkins for
composting at one of 36 locations around the city for
free. In Ward 14 they will be taking leaves and pumpkins
at Park 96 and at the Lake Bonavista Recreation Centre.
Please use compostable paper yard waste bags, and
remember to be respectful of the drop-off areas. The
groups who have generously given up space for this
program provide community services: They are not a
landfill. For more on this program—and a list of all dropoff
locations—visit www.calgary.ca/leaf.
Apply by Oct. 9 to Volunteer on a Quasi-judicial
Board
Almost a month before the leaf and pumpkin drop-off
closes is another important deadline. If you read my August
newsletter column you may remember a bit about
Boards, Commissions, and Committees. The deadline
to apply to be on those has come and gone, but there
are three more that you can still try out for: the Assessment
Review Board; the Subdivision and Development
Appeal Board; and the Licence Community Standards
Appeal Board. These Boards hear appeals and formal
complaints, and they are looking for volunteers to share
their expertise. To learn more about this opportunity
you can visit www.calgary.ca/tribunals.
Did you know? The City of Calgary has a Property
Tax Assistance Program.
I often talk about taxes in this column, but it is usually
about the idea of lowering them somehow. Eventually—when
the budgeting is done, and the rates are set—
there comes a time when we have to pay them. That
task is sometimes easier said than done. The City’s Property
Tax Assistance Program is available to low-income
homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship,
and you can learn more and apply by contacting 311 or
visiting www.calgary.ca/ptap.
We encourage people to contact the City even if they
aren’t sure whether they qualify for this program. If you
are not eligible for the Property Tax Assistance Program,
you may be able access other community resources,
and once you meet the income eligibility for the Property
Tax Assistance Program you are automatically approved
for the other services, like recreation programs
and transit passes. Learn more about those at www.calgary.ca/fairentry.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and don’t
ever hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
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