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If a deal to bring a new NHL arena to Calgary is coming, some residents want to have their say first.

That was a common sentiment expressed at a town hall hosted by Coun. Jeromy Farkas in his ward on Thursday evening.

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A few hundred people attended the event at the Acadia Recreation Complex, with the majority expressing — at the request of Farkas for a show of hands — that while they’re open-minded to the city negotiating with the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp., they don’t want their tax dollars being used to fund it.

“It’s going to revitalize Victoria Park … but everybody wants to be revitalized,” said Marlene Sorensen. “How much can we afford?”

Sorensen said that those who would benefit from a new arena should be the ones to pay for it.

“I don’t use the Calgary Flames grounds. I go there for trade shows, to the BMO Centre. I don’t go to concerts. I’m not really a Flames fan,” she said.

Farkas said he wanted to host the meeting because he was concerned there won’t be chance for public input before a deal is on the table.