The following letter was sent to Premier Brad Wall on June 11 regarding provincial funding for a new stadium. A response will be posted once it is received.

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Dear Premier Wall,

On behalf of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, I am writing to you today with some questions regarding provincial funding for the proposed football stadium in Regina.

We would appreciate answers to the following questions at your earliest convenience:

1)   The stadium has been reported in the media as costing $278 million. What is the real cost of the stadium proposal – in net present value, including interest costs?

2)   The initial estimate for Winnipeg’s new stadium was $115 million, yet when tender results came in, it went up to $190 million.  The new stadium estimate is $278 million. What guarantee do you have your estimate is accurate? Who would be accountable for cost overruns?

3)   Will you consider releasing a detailed financing plan and let taxpayers vote on it in a referendum at the same time people vote in province-wide municipal elections this October?  

4)   Taxpayers were told the private sector would be involved in a new stadium. Why is there no private sector partner?

Thank you for your attention to these questions. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Colin Craig,

Prairie Director