Quebec City building NHL ready arena, a sign towards a team shift? -NHL Update
Finally, it has been announced that there will be a National Hockey League (NHL) style and ready arena in Quebec City with the construction planned to begin as soon as this upcoming September.
Mayor of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, Regis Labeaume made the announcement on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
"Today, the dream becomes a reality," Labeaume said at a news conference.
It has been reported that the arena will cost somewhere around the $400 million mark and have a capacity for 18,000 spectators. The closest building that it may be compared is the new building made for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Unfortunately, the newly announced project will take time and has a completion date set for September in 2015, until then, fans can only hope that investors will be able to bring around an NHL team for the city.
Quebecor Media Inc, the corporation which owns QMI Agency and Sun Media, is believed to be in the public-private partnership with the city. Quebecor is reported to be paying $33 million for the naming rights and management, an amount which could blow up
to $63.5 million if an NHL franchise comes into play.
The NHL has also taken a serious stance on this situation and realise that Quebec City is definitely giving it their all for a franchise to return to the city.
"I am aware of the efforts of Pierre Karl Peladeau. I am informed of what is going on in my world. I also know that the economic power of Quebec City is much bigger than it was. The studies that I have read have kept me informed. And I know the mayor of
Quebec, Mr. (Regis) Labeaume, and I know that he is certainly a determined and opinionated man," NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, said
Plans on moving or creating a new team are not on the NHL table for now according to Bettman. He described that the league is currently content with where they stand, but there could be a possibility in the future if a franchise needs to be shifted.
According to observers, the Phoenix Coyotes or New York Islanders could be bumped up North, but until then, nothing is certain at the moment.
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