Wray Morrison: Fanning the Flames of a Calgary debate.

The pride of North Battleford, Brett Wilson, (high profile investment banker, philanthropist and co-owner of the Nashville Predators) spoke to the National Post on the heels of Calgary’s 11-4 council vote to pay for half of a new $550 entertainment and sports facility. (The group that owns the Calgary Flames will fund the other half.)

Wilson said, “People keep talking about how the city is giving the Flames $275 million. He went on to say that the Flames are giving the city $275 million”.

In every facility debate in every major city there is always push back from a portion of the tax payers.

Those that argue that health care, education, and infrastructure are more important are correct.

The goal of an entertainment centre where world class acts and athletes perform is to generate revenue for a city through usage, and stimulate economic development near such a facility.

It’s a long term process, which takes me to another Wilson quote. “If we don’t try, there’s a 100 per cent chance of failure”