(From Global Regina)
The possibility of a dome stadium in Regina is not out of the picture just yet.
On May 4 the city announced the new stadium proposal included an open air facility at Evraz Place. At Monday’s city council meeting, the topic of a dome resurfaced.
“People are saying, but why not a dome?” explained city councillor Mike O’Donnell. “It seems expectations have been raised. Is it a dead issue, no, I don't think it's a dead issue.”
It is not dead because there are options. One of them includes private companies helping to pay for a dome, perhaps through a fundraiser.
“I think there is an opportunity to have some sort of capital campaign, and I think the private sector could and should be involved,” Regina and District Chamber of Commerce CEO John Hopkins said.
For now, the money just is not there.
“If somebody jumps up and says, ok, we're going to give you $500,000 or a couple $100M, maybe we can do some creative things,” Hopkins said. “But until that comes to pass, it's hard to say how we would be able to do it.”
The Chamber surveyed its members. From the responses, almost 60 per cent supported the stadium project. When asked for comments, however, the most common theme was a preference for an enclosed facility as opposed to open air.
“I think there is some expectation that's been built up that there would be a dome and a lot of people gravitated and supported the concept of a dome,” Hopkins said.
17 comments:
Take a look at their so called "members", and it's a pile mom and pop shops, a credit union here or there and tight wad private companies that bitch and complain at every one of their luncheons about "gov'mnt". Nothing more than a squeaky wheel. There are 3-4 private organizations that could do this, but won't. The reason being is there is nothing in it for them or their stakeholders.
Obama
Obama, you've obviously not been to a Chamber event. There is very little "bitching". Most members are there to improve their relationship with other businesses and thus there is generally a very positive atmosphere. All of the banks hold memberships, as well as the major accounting firms, law offices, the UofR, SIAST, 4 school boards, the large construction firms etc., about 1200 companies in all. Noone can question the philanthropy of the Hill family, Brandt Industries,The Phoenix Group, Rawlco Radio, Access Communications and many, many others. Having clarified that, I must say I don't see anyone building a dome, but not risking 4-500,000,000.00 does not make you a tightwad.
the fact that this is still being discussed makes believe it will never get done.
build the dome in Saskatoon and move the Riders.
Give it a rest for christ sake
obama's reply i have been to a C of C meeting just ask Rod
The Chamber is no more than a schill like the CFIB, and CTF. It is always a mantra of they want something for nothing. They pay to high of taxes. To much regulation. Government shouldn't be in private business, antiquated liquor laws, antiquated labour laws, the list goes on and on and on. Those breakfasts, luncheons what have you are basically them signing up because.....well they have to I suppose. They eat their meal and bemoan the fact that it's the government that's holding them back.
I remember Little Hopkins back in the day doing a press conference calling for all government involvement to be out of business the private sector could handle. On the civic side this meant swimming pools and workout centers. He doesn't do that now and I wonder why? Because they got the government in they want that is there completely to screw over the little guy, and slant it all in favour of working for dead end companies their membership represents. My goodness they were against extending benefits to part time staff way back when. Can you imagine that today?
Again it's all wanting something for nothing.
Obama
Way back when this started I was the first guy to say it should be a capital legacy project. Those guys that you've listed bailed. Don't give me the Paul Hill line. He could build a third Twin tower you know why? He built it because he's got all the Provincial government offices filling up half that thing. Why do you think that is? Coincidence or random whay say you? The other guy you mentioned could easily pay for it, but he won't because he didn't build a billion dollar company to have some concrete block sit empty for 3/4 of the year with no return. How much Cable TV can you sell to a stadium? Scratch that one off the list.
Not risking? Where's the risk why not just do it for nothing more than the goodness of your soul? Sorry, but corporations don't work that way and it's called accountibility. Rawlco Radio philanthropic? They run a radiothon. Philanthropy is doing it when nobody is watching, and not filling out a form afterwards so you can win a trophy for it at the Paragon Awards.
Obama
Shut-up Obama
Philanthropy is doing it, period. The Rawlinson center of the Arts in P.A. wasn't built on radiothons. It was a million dollar donation, like the Kramer Imax or the million Redhead equipment donated to the children's hospital last week. These are outstanding contributions. Don Black raised over a million for renos at the YMCA. There was no big fanfare. As a small business manager I get at least 5 requests a week for donations. We do what we can but I can't imagine the requests that Harvard Property must receive and they deliver. Just because Paul Hill and Gavin Semple don't throw a ton of cash at a dome does not mean they aren't extremely generous. Notre Dame college in Wilcox would have disappeared decades ago without the generosity of the Hills. You see a few million dollar contributions and they are appreciated by the people of the province, but A HALF BILLION, that's a different league. All of the agencies touched by these donations appreciate the tremendous amount of effort it took for that money to be available. As far as Paragon awards go, I have one on my shelf and I know how much time and effort goes into earning one. When Rawlco fills in the form, that's the easy part.
I'm pretty sure the employees contributed to helping you earn your little paragon. Just curious are you the guy that doesn't pay OT, but gives employees a day off for their birthday? When you won your Paragon did you look at bonuses, cost of living increases, extending benefits and implementing a pension plan? Probably not I'm guessing. If you're a small business guy you probably bitched how you have to work the hours, yet the employees only have to put in 40 hours, and will want a raise etc. Save it, and just live in your little world.
A small business serves one purpose. Start your career, get your experience and the minute you get $1 an hour more and a better overall company get out of their and move on.
Anon, The first people thanked when accepting the award were my CO-WORKERS, OT is paid as per Sask law,no clock to punch, no questions asked. Bonuses have been in place for more than a decade. Annual salary increases are well above provincial percentage average and will be for some time. No complaints, from me, about work ethic or lack of effort on the part of the people I work with. Benefits plan was kiboshed years ago by my fellow employees. Not the best place in the world to work, but we try. And for the record my little world is pretty darn good.
RD,
I didn't sign the anon, but look at the end of the day these little debates are nothing more than opinions. Everyone has an opinion, everyone has thoughts. I think opinions regarding public/private sectors are based on life experiences with each, and there is good/bad in each sector. If a person is happy then that is all that matters.
My point if I have one is that it is very upsetting to me to see individuals exploited or not provided the value of fair wages and benefits to survive. Having made that statement it is the individuals choice to make decisions in their best interest. The employer owes you nothing but a paycheck, and if you don't like it then move on. I think we can agree on that.
Thank you for the debate. Thank you Mitch for the forum. Enjoy a beautiful day.
Obama
Obama, Have great long weekend.
Rally Driver:
What type of business are you in when employees kibosh a benefits plan. A benefits plan is one thing that makes the workplace a better environment. I don't understand that philosophy at all.
I don't think R.D has to explain what business it is, but I have seen situations occur where the benefit plan is extremely expensive to the employee, and the wages are low. When an employee looks at what is being deducted and sees how much can stay in their jeans then it gets to that situation of them thinking they're better off without it. Just the bare minimum of cost share for dental alone is important. Do you know how many terminal diseases can occur because of poor oral hygiene?
Anon, Benefit plans vary widely. In most cases, for every dollar you receive in services from your dentist, you or you and your employer will pay 1.50 in premiums. Long term disability premiums are usually paid by the employee, because any benefits that are returned to you are paid without income tax deducted because you bought the policy with after tax dollars. If the company funds your long term disability, then income tax will be deducted from your benefit cheques, significantly depleting the benefit. In our work place, we had 3 salary increases in 18 mths and thus the premium increased, because the risk of payout increased. Noone had collected so a number of my co workers opted out. There was a minimum number of employees necessary to maintain the policy, and we fell below the number. For me to maintain my long term disabilty would have increased my premium by 800%. If you have group plan in your work place, you will have some sort of payroll deduction for it. That was our situation, which may or may not be rare.
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