SHOULD WE SUPPORT THE RED MILE OR NOT?

SHOULD WE SUPPORT THE RED MILE OR NOT?

It happened today for the first time ever! I changed my point of view right in the middle of writing a critical blog. That is not like me. Usually, I encounter a situation, reflect on the relevant issues and then form my opinion, and pass it on to mankind as a gesture of caring and good counsel. What made me flip flop? Let me explain.

Calgary hockey fans are delighted that their NHL team, the Calgary Flames, have made the playoffs. When this happens, a one mile strip of primarily bars and restaurants along 17th Avenue SW, called the Red Mile, is the gathering place for thousands of fans to watch the games on big screen TVs and celebrate the team’s successes. During this past year, the avenue has been undergoing major road and sidewalk upgrades that started in 2017 and continues today. The City announced that construction on the Red Mile would cease during the hockey playoffs in order to better accommodate the anticipated crowds. 

Of course, my first reaction was one of disgust and criticism. Why were we catering to the hockey fans in the short term when a quicker road repair would benefit all Calgarians, not just the red jersey wearing hockey fans. The Red Mile is synonymous with the drinking of beer, wine, assorted other spirits, recreational drug use and general rowdy and raucous behaviour. Were we really going to cater to a massive city endorsed drunk that could only lead to the kind of mayhem other cities have experienced while “celebrating” sports’ victories? When thousands of revellers spend five to ten hours drinking and smoking in a confined area, trouble is guaranteed to follow. So of course, I was against supporting a public drunk fest and thought the fans should watch the games on their home TV with friends and confine their enthusiasm and vandalism to their own homes.

Then I changed my mind. I did a little more research and found that the many businesses along 17th Avenue have been negatively affected by the road and sidewalk construction since mid-2017, losing thousands of customers and dollars due to the road work. Calgary’s economy has also been suffering significantly in the past five years and businesses have seen their property tax bills increase by an average of 140 per cent since 2016. According to city council, 29 businesses have closed since Christmas on the Red Mile. The area is experiencing a very significant economic crisis and the primary victim is the small business owner. 

Consequently, Scrooge McKen, has changed his original tune from one of rejection to one of support. Let’s give the little guy a break for a change!Calgary’s participation in the playoffs may last a week or two months - no one knows. This small window of opportunity for the many bars and restaurants that are struggling, should remain open, without customers having to dodge construction equipment, roped off barriers, and open excavations. That I believe is called a win-win situation for both the fans and the merchants

The ultimate level of ecstasy would be achieved if the Calgary Flames could add a third “win” to the above scenario and make it a win-win-win trifecta!