The Flames "could be within weeks of announcing their vision" for a new arena, according to a source cited by Jason Markusoff of the CALGARY HERALD. The source said, "This is a very ambitious project, and it’s critical it be communicated effectively and not in pieces, and not in response to ad hoc questions. I am chomping at the bit to tell people about these projects. This is a very exciting concept." Sources said that the Flames "have studied city-owned lands around the Greyhound bus station, a district dubbed West Village and pegged for massive redevelopment akin to East Village." Flames President & CEO Ken King said that the project "will almost certainly require 'some sort of public-private' arrangement to work." Markusoff notes this is where King "risks an uphill climb, for a project sure to cost hundreds of millions of dollars," especially since "Calgarians and city council overwhelmingly oppose taxpayer subsidies for a new Flames venue." Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi "has shown potential to pose a major obstacle." Still, Flames owners "have no interest in renovating" the Scotiabank Saddledome. King: "I don't think anyone disagrees that we need a new facility" (CALGARY HERALD, 11/25).
