AND then there were six.
At least for those of you scoring at home, there are now six cities in Canada in the process of, or attempting, to renovate or rebuild their CFL digs.
The latest Bob Vila came in the form of B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, who Friday unveiled the province's plans to sink an estimated $150 million to $200 million into sprucing up B.C. Place, including a retractable roof and a new $50 million art gallery.
Good for them, eh?
Of course, one shudders to think of the reaction in Manitoba if Premier Gary Doer, a fervent pigskin fan, were to announce even a fraction of such grandiose spending here, where David Asper's attempts to pry $40 million out of the province (and another $40 million from the feds) in order to invest $65 million privately to build a new stadium has been tantamount to arranging a manned mission to Mars.
And to think that B.C. Place is just 25 years old, no less.
This $200 million from the province will be so Vancouverites can put their best face on for the 2010 Winter Olympics -- in which the federal government has proudly announced investing $600 million... so far.
First, a question for Treasury Board President Vic Toews: Why the hell is the federal government pumping $600 million into a sporting event when so many Manitobans -- as Toews is quick to remind us -- don't even have clean drinking water? Isn't that bordering on criminal?
I mean, how can Toews sleep at night knowing that the health of thousands of residents of his own province are at risk while his government has clearly put a higher priority on a glorified tourism project? The guy must go through Halcion pills like they were Smarties.
Naturally, as Toews must know in his heart of hearts, most rational-thinking folks understand -- if not misled by their own politicians -- that investing in an Olympic Games and water treatment plants are two separate things entirely. And a federal government that seeks to provide its citizenry with a well-rounded infrastructure that includes work, health, arts and play -- provided there are sufficient funds -- should be expected to cater to all, priorities aside.
This is why, for example, the federal government sank $110 million (that we know of) into plans for Quebec City's 400th anniversary. Say what you want about limited stadium use, but we'd argue that spending over $110 million on a party isn't exactly being tight-fisted with our tax dough.
But, hey, this is a big country and it's not all about us, right? That's the idea of Confederation, isn't it, to look out for the needs and ambitions of our fellow Canadians?
Speaking of which, it's not just that B.C. Place is getting a facelift, either.
Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal, home to the Alouettes, has a proposed $24.4-million expansion in the works. Meanwhile, the designated owners of a new Ottawa franchise will first have to negotiate with the city, provincial and federal governments to either rebuild or overhaul Frank Clair Stadium.
In Hamilton, owner Bob Young wants a new building, too, to replace the archaic Ivor Wynne Stadium, while our neighbours in Saskatchewan are seriously considering major renovations to a football stadium that turned 81 this year.
And none of these aforementioned projects will occur without an infusion of government capital. Bank on it.
So the lame argument of, geez, we should tolerate a deteriorating facility because a few other stadiums suck even worse is more tepid than it was last year.
Again, we understand this is taxpayers' money involved in what essentially will become a private operation. So Asper should have to convince public officials that a) the project is needed and b) it won't be a financial disaster.
We're also to believe, if some reports are true, that the province is on board, for the most part, and the feds' initial reticence is beginning to mellow.
But neither government has officially offered up any guarantees or fixed dollar figures.
There comes a time, though, when the posturing for votes should run its course and the elected officials will trumpet an investment in the stadium as though they were using their own money. And that we should be grateful.
Yes, just as grateful as our fellow Canadians in Vancouver. And just as grateful as our francophone cousins in Quebec City, I'm sure, who we understand are throwing a wingding of a birthday bash for themselves.
Of course, there may be some football fans in Quebec City that might have thought that money would have been better spent on a stadium, as they would have been welcomed into the CFL with open arms. It might have helped put the city, which lost its beloved Nordiques, on the map again. Who knows? The franchise could have lasted an eternity, generating untold tax dollars and friendly publicity for the city in future years.
Like we said, though, everybody has their own ideas on how best to spend our tax dollars.
randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca
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