Calgary Flames willingness to look at CalgaryNext alternatives welcomed by city

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the city is pleasedthat aprofessional sportsownership group is opento discussing alternatives to the CalgaryNextdevelopment it's proposingfor the West Village.

CalgaryNextwould see a new hockey arena and covered football stadium, as well as a field house complex,built on land just west of downtown Calgary. Citycouncil balked at the cost, which itevaluated at $1.8 billionincluding $1.2 billion of public investment.

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In a letter to season ticket holders, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. says it has agreed to the city's request toconsider alternate plans.

Mayor Nenshi told reportersthe owners admitted in the letter that the city's evaluationof the project's price tag is accurate, and they realize it has little chance to be builtin its current form.

"It was very, very clear,in the last report to council, that the CalgaryNextproposal in West Village faces incredibly high, if not insurmountable hurdles," he said.

Nenshi said there will be more discussion of CalgaryNextat the meeting, as well as alternatives, which might involve building a new arena at Stampede Park andrenovating McMahon stadium for football.

The Calgary Sports and Entertainment Group will appear beforecity councilto give a formal reply to the city's report later this month.

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