Brookman: Dangers of Inexperienced Line mission being misplaced in consideration on occasion centre

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Calgary is about to launch into two advanced and costly tasks. One is the brand new occasion centre, which I enthusiastically assist, and the opposite is the Inexperienced Line LRT, which I assist with trepidation. There are a lot of unanswered questions on these tasks and the media has change into fixated on the occasion centre, whereas the Inexperienced Line places us on the best monetary threat.

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If the occasion centre mission had been to go over funds by 20 per cent, primarily based on its $1.2-billion funds, the price overrun would quantity to $240 million. The Inexperienced Line, alternatively, first budgeted at $4.5 billion, then $5.5 billion and now $6 billion, would generate a value overrun of $1.2 billion if it exceeds its funds by 20 per cent. These very doable additional prices may exceed the full price of the occasion centre, but the entire dialogue is across the mission that’s benefiting from greater than $350 million of personal funding.

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Ask your mates concerning the occasion centre. Most will know that it’s to be constructed north of the prevailing Saddledome, and that there’s a cost-sharing settlement with the town, province, the Calgary Flames and the Stampede. Most individuals know it is going to be a significant element of the Rivers District and that there will likely be one other group rink constructed, and that it is vital for the success of the BMO Centre enlargement.

However what do we all know concerning the Inexperienced Line? Does it go to the brand new hospital? “I feel so.” Does it go to the airport? “I don’t suppose it does.” Will it go up Centre Road N.? “Sometime, perhaps.” Does the Inexperienced Line connect with our present LRT system? “No, it doesn’t, however undecided why.”

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Nobody appears certain about something in the case of this huge mission. We’re unclear about the place it goes, what we’re getting, or that we’re spending half 1,000,000 {dollars} every week for a mission that’s ill-defined and unclear to most of us. There’s a good likelihood that the brand new occasion centre will generate income for the town and companies for a few years into the long run. There’s virtually little doubt that the Inexperienced Line will generate losses and can want subsidies for the subsequent 100 years.

The Ottawa LRT development has been nothing wanting a debacle. The unique 2009 funds of $2.1 billion is now as a lot as 4 occasions the unique forecast, not together with the quite a few lawsuits wherein the Metropolis of Ottawa is now embroiled. Folks don’t discover the system dependable and the large sinkhole that no engineer ever predicted was simply considered one of many objects which have made the general public skeptical and indignant concerning the mission. We’re assured this won’t occur in Calgary.

Then there’s the Edmonton LRT system. The completion of Section 2 has been delayed 4 occasions and is now on maintain as work is completed to find out why the large concrete piers designed to carry the tracks are cracking. Prices have risen by $1 billion, however we’re assured that this won’t occur in Calgary.

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There’s lots of public assist for each the occasion centre and the Inexperienced Line LRT enlargement.

However as an alternative of attempting to look at each minute element of an occasion centre mission that can undoubtedly profit hundreds of Calgarians, let’s flip some critical consideration to the Inexperienced Line.

The Inexperienced Line will and must be constructed, however it appears solely honest that the people who find themselves going to pay for it, largely Calgary taxpayers, ought to have a a lot clearer image of what we’re getting, what we’re spending and the dangers of this mission. This LRT mission deserves way more consideration than the a lot smaller and fewer advanced occasion centre improvement.

George H. Brookman is the chair and firm ambassador of WCD Ltd.