Archive for March 30th, 2010
Five O’Clock Charlie
Remember that M*A*S*H* episode where Trapper frantically runs into the minefield to save that little boy, who somehow made it 100 yards in without stepping on a mine? Trapper makes it in a handful of strides before Hawkeye tells him to stop, and the hilarity ensues. Henry Blake (my favourite) directs Trapper to the boy using a map of the field, only to discover that he’s reading from a WWII surplus map which offers directions to downtown Berlin. A chopper eventually picks up Trapper and the boy. Phew.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has been front and centre at various press conferences and press controversies over the last week or so. First, his NDP government announced its budget, a five-year plan of belt-tightening and hand-wringing. No surprise. Wage freezes are the new look for the summer. Not included in this budget was anything regarding the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium, in case you didn’t notice. That was interesting because as things remained quiet on the stadium front regarding David Asper and his plan, it became increasingly apparent that this project was going to be a public endeavor in a much larger sense. That $35 million put towards the original plan? Chicken scratch.
On Saturday, reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press confirmed that Selinger is in fact leading the stadium charge, but with one small change to the blueprint. No longer would a $135 million stadium be built. Instead, a scaled-down $100 million design is considered, with the province picking up most of the tab for the facility. No mention of that in the budget. Public response to the publicly-funded scaled-down version is cool at best, but what is supposed to do? He’s already run out into the minefield. Can’t turn back now.
Monday, Selinger, confirms that not only has there been discussion on a new stadium deal but that it would cost north of $50-million to fix up the existing stadium site. That’s simply not going to happen, of course, so everyone sees a stadium announcement on the horizon. Why is Selinger taking the reins on the project, you ask? Election year next year, and having a sizable project like this die on his watch is not a great idea politically. He’s essentially painted into a corner here.
Speaking of painting and corners, Selinger may have another issue to contend with regarding public funds and professional sport in this town. Though still off on the horizon, the NHL dream has been a popular topic of late. If there’s any chance of that happening and some extra dough needs to be included to make it go on Winnipeg’s end, you can bet the provincial government will open up the wallet and the big bills will come out. Man, think bringing the Jets back won’t get you re-elected? No kidding.
Forget the suggestion Asper is cunning enough to hatch a stadium scheme that would ultimately see province be forced to come in and pay for his dream (and see the keys over to the team, the Polo Park land, and the stadium end up in his hand). That’s for the conspiracy theorists. No, it’s this possibility of the Jets coming back that pushes Selinger into a Bomber stadium. He has no choice now. If he walks away from the Winnipeg football fans and doesn’t take the lead on the stadium project, only to turn around and subsidize any NHL venture in this city (whether it’s building upgrades or interim operating-type agreements), that won’t play too well with potential voters.
Then again, if Selinger pays for a scaled-down football stadium, one that doesn’t have all the modern bells and whistles fans are accustomed to enjoy in the 2010 sporting experience, they may remember that lemon come election time, too. Or say Selinger decides to write a blank cheque to any NHL project that floats up from the United States, and non-hockey fans continue to wait months (years) for things like MRI scans or wonder why their wages haven’t moved in a few years. That has the potential to be an explosive situation politically, doesn’t it? In a word, KA-BOOM!
Man, it is tough at the top. You and that little kid hang tight, Glen. And don’t worry, Radar is currently working on the chopper. Kutchio!
