Capital spending plan up for 'rethink' by Calgary council

Council will look at a complete re-drawing of its capital spending plan during next week's budget debate that could result in more support for professional sports facilities.

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Mayor Naheed Nenshi announced the plan in a quick remark earlier this week.

"We're going to rethink how we think about our capital projects and how we spur economic growth and diversification through our capital plan," he said.

The city has about $2.2 billion for capital projects.

The budget documents currently indicate four priority areas:

• Transportation projects.
• A logistics area near the airport.
• The cultural district downtown.
• An innovation district near the University of Calgary.

But the documents also include a reference to fostering professional sports and investing in McMahon Stadium.

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City manager Jeff Fielding says a report is expected early next year on the proposal by the Calgary Flames ownership group for a new sports facility in the West Village, but alternatives need to be prepared.

That includes what's known as Plan B a new arena at Stampede Park and major renovations to McMahon Stadium.

"If council were to do a Plan B, we would have to have the ability to invest in Plan B so we have to think about how we can do that. And that will be again, within the context of all of the other priorities that council has to manage," he said.

City council will discuss the report next week.