Markham Moves Closer To NHL Arena After Signing Memorandums

Markham, Ont., Mayor Frank Scarpitti yesterday said that the city has "signed two new memorandums of understanding that mean no taxpayer dollars will be used" to build the NHL-ready GTA Centre. He added that the first memorandum has "been signed with the private sector" and will see half of the project’s C$325M cost covered by developers and the lease of the arena itself. The second memorandum of understanding has "been signed between the city and GTA Sports and Entertainment, which will cover the other half of building costs" (CP, 11/30).

Scarpitti said of whether ground could be broken on the new arena as early as next year, "In a best-case scenario, yes." Scarpitti and GTA Chair & CEO Graeme Roustan both "downplayed the prospect" of luring a second NHL team to the Toronto area (TORONTO SUN, 12/1).