Around and around - a subsidy...

We seem to be lost in a circular debate. Could we all agree that leaving Lansdowne Park in its present state is unacceptable?

If we all agree, the issue is - where do we go from here.

One possibility is to simply buy into the single proposal we are being offered. Put in a deluxe stadium at taxpayers' expense, give away acres of land and hope for the best.

Another approach would be to ask what the people of Ottawa want. Canada 411 indicates that there are 619 shops in Ottawa associated with "sports", only nine associated with "football" and thirty-seven associated with "soccer". Does this mean that there is a severe shortage of shops to cater to the fans of a new CFL team? Is that shortage so severe that the City needs to come to the rescue and address the needs of those consumers by providing rent-free land for such retailers?

I suspect that there are many people who would like to see pro football return to Ottawa. Probably this is less than a majority, but they are numerous. Should they be denied? No, I don't think so. But to what degree should the rest of us, who are not so passionate about football, subsidize the football fans?

There are all sorts of interests in our community. Some people are keen on chamber music; some are partial to capoeira (Brazilian martial arts); others are oenophiles. To my mind, all of these interests, are just as worthy of support as CFL football. All are probably of interest to only a minority.

But no one has suggested that the wine show take over Lansdowne year round to satisfy the oenophiles. For 129 million dollars we could build a world-class collection of wine. Strangely enough, there is no proposal for an Ottawa City wine cellar at Lansdowne Park.

But there is a proposal to take remarkable measures in support of football.

Would the supporters of football be prepared to line up with the rest of the recipients of city subsidies for the yearly begging process at budget time? Why not?

I would like to see the CFL football team appearing with the Barrhaven Highland Dancing Society asking for its annual grant from the city.

Does this solve the question of what to do with Lansdowne Park?

No it does not, but it is a beginning to analyse one small aspect of the debate.