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Wednesday, November 10, 1999
The bucks stop here
Millions would be lost if Flames were to leave
In a lot of ways, the Calgary Flames put this city on the map.
Nothing this city has ever been associated with -- with the exception of the 1988 Winter Olympics -- has done more to promote this city internationally than the mere presence of the Calgary Flames. Not even the Stampede.
The club's arrival 20 years ago helped turn an isolated prairie hamlet into a major-league city. It has also helped it grow to the point where Calgary is now home to the second most corporate head offices in the country.
While the economic impact the club has on Calgary annually was pegged between $65-75 million by Doug Mitchell's provincial study in 1994, it's clear the team has provided much more than monetary gain.
A perfect example is the fact the Flames are responsible for the fact Calgary is mentioned all winter long in every major newspaper around the world.
You can't put a price on that sort of advertising.
Nor can you put a price on the civic pride this team has generated. And that may be the biggest loss this city will incur if, or when, the Flames leave.
"Not to lose sight of the huge economic impact the organization has, I think the biggest impact is emotional," said Calgary Chamber of Commerce president-elect Kevin Gregor, 41, a fan and hockey dad.
"You'd miss the fact you'd have a team to relate to. The Flames are a great citizen in this community and they do a lot behind the scenes that would be missed."
Ever since Winnipeg lost its NHL club to Phoenix in 1996, business and city officials have put on a brave face and insisted the predicted economic losses did not come to pass.
In fact, Mayor Glen Murray has been so outspoken on the subject that he went as far as to call Kanata's mayor to warn against the danger of providing tax breaks and incentives to the resident Ottawa Senators. Murray argued one handout will simply be followed by demands for another and another.
Clearly with an organization that has 125 full-time and 1,000 part-time employees, there are obvious spinoffs that come from the money they make. Consider, at the very least, the amount wealthy players spend locally on everything from houses and vehicles to furniture and restaurants.
The club has also donated more than $12 million to local charities and amateur sport through the Flames and Saddledome Foundations. It also pays a $350,000 education tax annually, not to mention the massive income taxes players and other employees chip in. Should the team and all its tax money leave, local taxpayers will be the ones making up the shortfall.
The Sun/CFCN poll of 400 Calgarians showed 83% believe the Flames add economic value to the community, but Mayor Al Duerr points out many aren't aware of just how significant the contribution is.
Duerr says without the Flames running the daily operation of the city-owned Saddledome, the city's premiere entertainment venue would likely cost taxpayers $3 million to keep open.
"Either that or we'd have to close it," said Duerr. "Most people don't fully appreciate how significant the losses would be."
Premier Ralph Klein, an avid hockey fan, also knows the importance of keeping the Flames in town.
"The Flames and the Oilers bring a lot to the province," said Klein. "Besides the economic spinoffs from having two NHL franchises in Alberta, the province benefits from the international exposure generated by the teams.
"Both teams work hard to promote Canada's national winter pastime and the virtues of sportsmanship. They also provide Albertans with entertainment, good-hearted rivalries and a direct link to pro hockey at the highest level."
Granted, the city won't shut down if the Flames go. Entertainment dollars would be spent elsewhere and life would go on.
But the massive number of restaurants, bars, cab drivers and hotels that benefit from the Flames presence would take a direct hit.
As would our hearts.
EXCLUSIVE POLL RESULTS
Here's a selection of the questions asked in an exclusive poll commissioned by The Calgary Sun and CFCN Television on the state of hockey in Calgary. The study, by John Yerxa Research, consists of a quota sample of Calgary-area residents. Only residents of the sample area (18+ years of age) were eligible. The 400 respondents were contacted by telephone between Oct. 13-17, 1999. Margin of error is 2.14%
* Do you believe that the Calgary Flames add economic value to the community?
1. Yes (probably) 83%
2. No (probably not) 12%
DK 5%
* Would you support the idea of tax breaks for the Flames hockey organization if it meant keeping the team in Calgary for at least the next five years?
1. Yes (probably) 45%
2. No (probably not) 48%
3. Depends 5%
DK 2%
* Right now, provincial lottery funds are directed toward various community events, projects and facilities across Alberta. Would you support the idea of forwarding a percentage of provincial lottery funds to the Flames hockey organization if it meant keeping the team in Calgary for at least the next five years?
1. Yes (probably) 51%
2. No (probably not) 45%
3. Depends 3%
DK 1%
* Do you think that the National Hockey League is doing enough to preserve NHL hockey in Canada right now?
1. Yes 22%
2. No 67%
DK 12%
* Do you think that the various levels of government are doing enough to preserve NHL hockey in Canada right now?
1. Yes 23%
2. No 57%
DK 21%
Have your say! We want Calgarians' reaction to our eight-part series Calgary on Hockey. Just send us your thoughts by e-mail at calsport@sunpub.com or by fax, 250-4180. Please keep your comments brief and sign your full name. We'll be publishing a selection to conclude our series on Sunday.
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