The Whalers say the state of CT "must build a new
arena," costing as much as $240M, if it wants the team to
stay in Hartford, according to Keating & Arace in a front-
page story in the HARTFORD COURANT. The "demand" was sent
in a report to CT Gov. John Rowland by a team official and
was "crafted in language that is stronger than any used
previously" by the team. The report's stated that in order
for the Whalers to remain in CT, "it is necessary" that a
state-of-the-art facility for hockey, "be built at public
expense. ... the only answer is to provide a new facility,
and as soon as possible." The report adds the new arena is
"essential for the team's financial survival." The team's
lease with the Civic Center runs through the '97-98 season.
Whalers Owner Peter Karmanos said he is "not interested in
selling his franchise," but said even if he were, "not one
person in Hartford -- not Aetna themselves -- would buy the
team and keep it in that facility." Karmanos: "My first
goal is to hear someone say, 'Yes, we're going to do this.'
Or, 'No, we're just not going to spend the public's money on
this kind of project.' The governor is going to have to
eventually make a decision." The Whalers say they have lost
more than $33M in the last two years, and the team provided
a chart in the report that projects annual revenue in a new
arena totaling over $23M annually (HARTFORD COURANT, 12/19).
