Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek says COVID-19 was behind the failure of the proposed $550-million event centre..“The extension of the current deal we have, would have meant operating within its limitations and COVID has wreaked havoc on supply chains, and it has impacted this project and many others,” said Gondek at a Wednesday news conference..She also added that she doesn’t have any power to single-handedly make decisions on deals such as the new arena and the choice to terminate was made on behalf of the whole city council..“There is tremendous opportunity to get this district right with a proper event centre as well as other components, but is seems it needs to be unshackled from the limitations of the deal that was struck in July 2021.”.The cancellation had been blamed by the Flames on continual rising costs being added into the contract..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.esudyk@westernstandardonline.com
