Interesting column from the Leader Post today:
MANDRYK: Federal politics might still block Saskatchewan's drive for stadium cash
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To begin with, the idea isn't going over big with either Conservative MPs or the party's base. Already, Stephen Taylor of the National Citizens Coalition (which Harper once led) and the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation have taken aim at spending money on sports facilities that could be going to reduce deficits or the Conservativefavoured corporate tax cuts. And most Conservative MPs -including Quebec's Maxime Bernier -are either privately or publicly agreeing.
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Finally, Harper's Conservatives have likely read the lay of the land in Saskatchewan and found out that something has changed. The enthusiasm for a domed stadium appears to be waning -especially the further you travel from Regina.
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There are mounting questions over whether this project is even viable with a $100-million federal contribution. Can the city afford its $60-million share? Can we really get $70 million from the private sector? Who pays for maintenance and upkeep of an indoor facility? Does the province own it? Will the city collect taxes?
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I know some have dismissed Mandryk columns before because he is "pro-NDP". However, since the NDP are supposedly behind this project, that shouldn't really matter, should it?