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A New Stadium or Better Roads?  A rant by: Rigel Now that the federal and provincial governments are balking at the idea of kicking in a total of $80 million to finance the construction of a new stadium, we need to ask the question whether this money is better spent for such a facility or for improved infrastructure---providing it goes toward the latter. The Bombers don't necessarily need a new stadium considering the type of league that the CFL is, but Winnipeg definitely needs to improve its road system. When I see that streets like Empress north of Ellice, Inkster west of Keewatin, and McGillivray west of Waverly plus a number of others desperately need to be twinned, it's pretty obvious where the priorities should lie. In addition, the surfaces of the existing roads must be among the worst on the continent and maintenance is consistently inconsistent. On the other hand,when we see how much the feds and BC are pumping into the financing of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, we wonder why the money isn't being spread around better. Actually Vancouver needs a better road system even more than Winnipeg considering it has triple our population and few, if any, genuine, limited access freeways. The only solution I can see for a new stadium is for corporate sponsors besides David Asper to step up and make a contribution, or at least part of it. Then the governments could finish off the rest of the financing. But I wouldn't bet that either the private sector or the public will fill the gaps. Since I haven't attended a Bomber game in at least a dozen years and wouldn't go even with a new facility, I'll take the improved roads option because I use them almost every day. << Back Add a Comment Comments ( Add a Comment ) THETRUTH says: 2007-10-09 08:25:36 It's a Little bit of this.... and a bit of that. I mean you got great roads but give up chances to improve whats at the end of them? Tough call. Mainly to tell you the truth, it is because the monies come from different funds and government departments. It may seem like this "stupid Government" is a cecular individual thing. Sort of like our priminister is responsible for the decline in something solely in our eyes during election time. So who do we blame, the feds, the provence or the city? Well we could blame the city, but if the city does not have the money to fix the roads properly, should not the feds or provence kick in? Then probably,within the three levels of government, they are having the same arguments, who's responsibility is it to pay for what? I just say at this point, take what you can get out of any of the three levels, be glad you got something, and enjoy it while it lasts. Be it a quickly disintigrating road, or poorly desighned,way over budget and poorly placed sport complex, and just be happy with whatever small miracles the governments gods give. All Praise the best and 100% profit buisness venture on earth....government CANADIAN says: 2007-10-21 12:41:12 I agree with everything said here, however, I really don't think i can stand driving thought another f*$%ing construction zone. |
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I can see the value in making an investment in a facility such as a new stadium, with all of its related (and seemingly unrelated) spin-off benefits. However against those benefits must be considered the further impact to infrastructure. Sure, money gets spent on a new stadium, but what about the roads to and from the stadium? What about the additional crime, pollution, waste, etc. which would be generated. The way things are with the local infrastructure, I think there are far too many higher priorities for city, provincial and federal tax dollars. Roads, sewers, water treatment, better traffic flow control, crime, poverty, education, health and public transport are all higher in my opinion, and those are just the first 9 things that came to mind. Every one of those items is crying out for much greater funding, and to spend millions of tax dollars on an outdoor football stadium - in this city of all places - is not what I'd call a priority.