"I don't think it was ever about the cost."

Sounds like something a person might say when they are spending someone else's money.

A $175,000 eagle statue has some people from a Manitoba First Nation questioning the spending decisions of their council.
...
Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches said the statue is a tribute to residential school survivors. Some people who live on the reserve said they were left out of the decision to purchase the statue -- and feel the money could have been better spent. [ctv]

Even if the money came from VLT revenues, every dollar spent on this is a dollar less for community necessities.

Chief Meeches wants to build a $250,000 garden on the site where the eagle currently sits, and is hoping governments will help fund it.

I am guessing that climbing beans are not on the agenda for the garden.
x-posted at the Broom