2012: A Stadium Odyssey
So the state of the economy is an “unintended blessing” for the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium project headed up by No. 1 super fan David Asper, and while all sides continue to haggle over the details of splitting the cheque, Asper now has time to find tenants for the Polo Park retail space he stands to gain from the deal.
One question: How much haggling is there really left to do?
Since having to close my press box laptop for a less desirable desktop computer and cubicle, I’ve had a chance to be around a few people at the political table. All have essentially said, in one form or another, that they are ready to see the new Blue Bomber stadium happen.
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said the city is good to go. He’s actually expressed concern about the continuing delay.
Federal minister Vic Toews said the money is in place. He mentioned the term “shovel-ready” about 25 times in an interview about the Tory budget in January.
Premier Gary Doer said the province is cool, too. However, Doer hinted at the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex ribbon cutting earlier this month that not all parties are looking at a green light on the project. He alluded to this story in the Globe and Mail to reporters, suggesting someone might be a little short, but wouldn’t come out and name names.
Asper denied that inference in the Saturday Freep story, saying his Crestwin Properties has nothing to do with the family Canwest empire, but it’s no leap of faith to believe he certainly would like to have the security blanket of a strong global company when this deal is finally put to bed.
Could it be that what’s holding up the deal is Asper himself?
Asper blames the process, but if he can’t find investors for the retail space to provide his revenue stream, and all three levels of government and the university know this, wouldn’t that put the stop sign in his hand?
There is a rumour that the once-accommodating University of Manitoba, the site for the stadium, is being a prickly pear in the negotiation. They might be looking at making sure they don’t get stuck with any over-runs during the build or extra operational costs once the stadium is open for business. Who can blame them?
Doubt could probably be said for all three levels of government, too. They are not going to put aside money for this project in perpetuity and they know the risks of a public-private partnership arrangement. If this thing gets going in 2011 or 2012 and the rising construction costs or a continuing economic slowdown means Asper doesn’t have enough dough to see it through, who do you think will get stuck with the bill?
“The government doesn’t just write you a cheque,” Asper told the Freep.
Yeah, they do, David. The difference here is that you get to take home the leftovers (a football team).
