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(Halifax) The Hamm government should get a 10-minute major for its plan to give a privately-built, Bedford arena complex a whopping tax break.

That charge comes today from the union representing workers at a nearby public facility the Sackville Sports Stadium that enjoys no such benefits.

CUPE national representative Larry Power says, We couldnt agree more with the HRM councillors who gave the thumbs down to this proposal at this weeks council meeting. The private members bill from Tory MLA Gary Hines is just the latest in a long line of questionable actions from this former councillor.

Anyone who can afford to build a $15-million sports complex certainly does not need help from taxpayers. This facility, with three separate rinks in it, is going to be making money hand over fist. The last thing the owners need is a tax break from the province, says Power.

From our vantage point this really smacks of old-style, political favouritism from this provincial government, he added.

Employees of the Sackville Sports Stadium are members of CUPE Local 108, Unit One, which represents municipal outside workers with HRM.

For information: Larry Power, CUPE National Rep., 455-4180 (o);
John McCracken, CUPE Communications, Rep. 455-4180 (o).