CALGARY, Alta. — Calgarians are evenly split on a tentative pact for a new NHL arena, though nay-sayers appear more determined in their opposition, a new poll shows.
In the poll of 645 people conducted last week by ThinkHQ Public Affairs Inc., 47 per cent of respondents voiced support for the 35-year deal, with the same number in opposition.
But among those against the agreement that would see the city and Calgary Flames owners evenly splitting the $550 million construction cost, 26 per cent were strongly opposed, while 14 per cent of proponents were strongly in favour.
Most of those surveyed — 58 per cent — said they supported replacing the early 1980s-vintage Saddledome with 35 per cent against.
Council is expected to approve the agreement on Tuesday after one week of public consultation, 60 per cent of the poll respondents said wasn’t long enough.
Meanwhile, city officials extended the deadline for public submissions on the issue from noon on Sunday to 4:30 p.m. Monday, local time.
The city would also pay $12.4 million, or 90 per cent of the cost to demolish the Saddledome, a detail opposed by 65 per cent of those polled.
CSEC would receive an option to acquire valuable land near the site of the proposed event centre in Victoria Park and would increase the amount it funds local amateur sports to $75 million.
That latter detail earned high marks among those polled, as did the notion of keeping the Flames in Calgary, noted ThinkHQ president Marc Henry.
“There is a lot of goodwill in Calgary toward the Flames. People are proud of the team, they recognize their contribution to the city both in terms of economic impact and community good, and there is support for replacing the Saddledome,” Henry said in commentary included with the poll results.
But he said the timing of the deal just as city council is cutting emergency service and transit budgets have soured many on it.
“Wow, talk about bad timing,” said Henry.
“Public confidence in Council is staggeringly low right now, and if a quick approval leaves voters feeling unheard by their elected officials on a big project like this, watch out.”
With the next civic election 812 days away, city councilors should feel nervous about the decision, he added.
The survey also polled public perception of city council, which showed approval at just 23 per cent compared to a disapproval rating of 69 per cent while 8 per cent were unsure.
That’s a 50 per cent drop in approval since June, 2017, states the survey.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s approval rating came in at 35 per cent versus disapproval of 59 per cent.
In a tweet Monday morning, Coun. Druh Farrell said council is playing with fire on the arena issue by pursuing budget cuts while also seemingly favouring spending on a new arena.
“Regardless of our opinions on the proposed deal, Council agreed unanimously to do one thing and are instead doing another,” she stated.
“Our word/policies/approved direction have lost meaning. We’ve losing public trust, the most valuable thing in a democracy, as a result
The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
on Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
