Quebec City Unveils Plans To Build NHL-Ready Arena By 2012

Quebec's Colisee Could Be Temporary Home For NHL Team Before New Arena Finished

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume "unveiled an ambitious plan Friday to build" a $400M (all figures Canadian) arena, "with one eye on an NHL franchise and another on the 2022 Winter Olympics," according to Rheal Seguin of the GLOBE & MAIL. The federal and provincial governments each are "being asked to inject" $175M into the 18,000-seat arena, with Quebec City paying the remaining $50M. Labeaume touted the facility as the "first step towards attracting a new team to replace the popular Nordiques," who moved to Denver in '95 and became the Avalanche. Labeaume indicated that his "business plan will make a number of suggestions that may include funding from private sponsors, a special lottery or money from the tobacco tax that will help government recover its share of the funding." The mayor stressed that the project "doesn't hinge on getting an NHL franchise or winning an Olympic bid." But he added, "Without the arena, you can be sure that no professional (hockey) team will want to come here." Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut, a former investor of the Nordiques, said that Quebec City would be "well-positioned to get an NHL franchise" with a new arena in place. Aubut arranged Labeaume's meeting earlier this month with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and Friday said, "I've known Mr. Bettman for 18 years and it is rare that he commits himself in the way that he has during our meeting. But without the new arena, forget it" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/17). A study conducted by SNC Lavallin revealed that the arena project will cost about $421M, "including a vast parking lot." Labeaume said that he "hopes that construction could take place beginning in early 2010 until the end of 2012" (QMI, 10/17).

QUEBEC MADE; NHL APPROVED? Labeaume Friday said that he has "received no assurances from the NHL, but stressed there is 'no doubt' about the league's interest." Aubut during Friday's news conference said, "Bettman told us with a new arena, there is no limit to what we can hope for." NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stressed that a "new arena in Quebec City is a must before the city can be considered for an NHL team." Daly in an e-mail said, "The construction of a new arena would provide Quebec City with an opportunity to attract an NHL franchise." He noted that the city's Le Colisee, the former home of the Nordiques, "could act as a temporary home for an NHL club until a new facility was built" (CANWEST NEWS SERVICE, 10/17). Bettman in an e-mail said, "It is apparent that the overall reaction in Quebec City to Mayor Labeaume's plan for a new arena is very positive. We will watch the process with interest" (QMI, 10/18).