Provincial money for new Calgary arena not out of the question: Notley

The Notley NDPs aren’t closing the door on helping fund a new hockey arena.

Speaking to press at Calgary-Foothills candidate Bob Hawkesworth’s campaign launch Sunday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said her government isn’t opposed to the possibility of contributing provincial money towards a new arena in Calgary.

“We need to see what they’re going to propose,” Notley said. “Our view when we were in opposition around the Edmonton arena was that, no, that that’s not a first priority for government funds, but I’m going to keep an open mind and look at what proposals come forward, and go from there.”

Providing funds for a Calgary arena project wasn’t a popular opinion of the previous government.

Senior cabinet ministers, including former premier Jim Prentice, were resolute in saying there were more vital projects in need of provincial infrastructure money than building a replacement to the Scotiabank Saddledome.

A long-term development plan for a new Calgary sports complex in west downtown, including a new arena, is expected to be revealed Tuesday.