Arena detractors were right, but for wrong reasons

How is it possible to be right and wrong at the same time?
 
People who supported the proposed arena know what that odd feeling is like.

Quick refresher as required by law: Global Entertainment and the city of Yuma talk about building a publicly funded multipurpose center, the public demands it be put to a vote, and in November it's shot down by a 53-47 percent margin.
 
Proponents said it would give Yuma something to do, generate revenue and increase quality of life. Opponents said no one wants to watch ice hockey, plus why can't this be privately built?
 
Fast forward 10 months. The similar structure in Prescott Valley - the one held up as the symbol of all that is great about these small arenas - is subject of a lawsuit. Allstate, one of the main investors, claims it was lied to about "factual information that indicated the event center could not generate sufficient operating revenues and sales tax revenues to make the project economically feasible."
 
As someone who wanted the arena here as much as anybody, let me say whoops. Guess we dodged a bullet there.
 
Let me also say, Yuma still deserves an arena. Apparently, Global was not the company to provide one.
 
It's not like the call of minor league hockey acted as a siren song, brainwashing us proponents into some kind of brainless daze. The arena would have been more than just hockey, would have hosted public events while acting as a community center. Sure, there is a civic center already, but a number of functions held there would have been better suited to an arena.
 
But these are all old arguments, just like a photo of the mayor on a Zamboni counted as an anti-arena stance somehow. We can talk in circles rehashing these old, endless debates - some of which make more sense than others.
 
I can't speak for every friend of the arena, but there was always this little nagging voice in my mind. Global should have been seen as a snake-oil salesman (allegedly) right off the bat. There were flaws with their arguments. But we (I guess I am speaking for everyone) got too wrapped up in the benefits of an arena to see this particular proposal was, let's say, sketchy.

Fifty-three percent of Yuma voters voted against the arena. I'd guess 35 percent (note: my first draft said 45. I decided to be generous) are the curmudgeons who are opposed to everything. Whether for political reasons, personal reasons, bitterness or boredom, they'll say two plus two is five if a politician says it's four.
 
So that leaves about 18 percent by my highly scientific estimation who saw the truth. Eighteen percent who decided to listen to that nagging voice we decided to ignore. To that 18 percent - thank you for seeing through the snake-oil and seeing the truth. Your voices could have been louder, perhaps, if not silenced by nonsensical Photoshop arguments.
 
That doesn't change the fact a small-scale arena could be very successful in Yuma. Youth indoor soccer is apparently taking off around here - or at the very least exists. It could go to the next level, maybe, here. Even an indoor soccer league could maybe possibly succeed, although I'm more skeptical about that.
 
The arena, as proposed, undoubtedly would have been a colossal failure - apparently our glorious model in Prescott was one. If there truly is money to be made, somebody will build it.
 
Now if you'll excuse me, someone told me they have some in-town oceanfront property to sell me. I gotta get in on some of that action.

Edward Carifio can be reached at ecarifio@yumasun.com or 539-6882.