Press: Say No To Sports Arena

With all due respect to author W.P. Kinsella, the modest proposal to build an indoor sports arena in Coeur d’Alene could very easily become a nightmare — if taxpayers are required to pick up the mess somewhere down the road. We have no objection to private interests trying to dig up $25 million or so for the project and, later, reap whatever rewards their personal risks capture. But even in this early stage of discussions and analysis about a 6,000-seat facility at Riverstone, we detect the distinct smell of taxpayer dollars in the process ahead. Understand, we aren’t anti-arena. There would be many benefits to having a fine home for concerts, trade shows and sporting events. But we think the less taxpayers are involved, the better the idea becomes/ CDA Press Editorial Board . More here .

Question: Is it reasonable to consider building a $25M indoor sports arena in Coeur d’Alene, during these troubled economic times?