Quebec preparing for Nordiques return?

[WpgJets2008]

Quebec preparing for Nordiques return?
By KARINE GAGNON, QMI Agency

slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2010/09/05/15253951.html

QUEBEC CITY – Quebec Premier Jean Charest will meet with Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume next Tuesday to discuss the financing of a new arena in the provincial capital, QMI Agency has learned.

The premier is then expected to announce $400 million in provincial funds to help pay for the project.

Charest has expressed enthusiasm for the project in the past, saying in June a city the size of Quebec should have modern facilities.

A new arena is a key stepping stone to getting the Nordiques NHL franchise to return to the province.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in August any hopes for the Nordiques's return rests in the city completing the project.

Quebec City may also be getting support from the federal government.

In a tour of the province last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he’d like to see the team back in its home city.

But the Conservative government has been sending mixed messages on whether it would be willing to chip in to fund the project.

Josee Verner, federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, said last week she would like to study the recently completed report on the project's financing before committing government funds.

Her colleague, Treasury Board president Stockwell Day, has previously said the province should fund the project without federal assistance.

The Quebec Nordiques moved to Colorado in 1995.


Chris

[WHA]

It will be interesting to see how many seats they build it for!

[roccerfeller]

Go Nords!!!!

[Hobble]

My NHL includes Winnipeg... My NHL includes Quebec City... My NHL excludes Bettman...

[Dante_X]

so now they got 270 millions of the 400 millions needed

[leer2006]

Why do they need more when $270m would build one hell of a nice arena.
Or is it just posturing by the provincal govenment for when the fed's say they can't do it , they can then say damn so close but unless the feds put up we wont either.
I'de be curious to see if they will still offer that much if the Fed's say no.

[The Unknown Poster]

They seem to be banking on the return of the NHL as motivation to spend all that money.

I wonder what the NHL has told them or where they think they will get an NHL franchise from. We've seen how hard the NHL will fight to avoid relocating the US teams.

[Ducky]

lets not forget hamilton built an brand new arena on hopes of expansion and it got them nothing.

[jetsorbust]

Article in the Winnipeg Free Press:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/feds-say-theyre-very-interested-in-plan-to-build-nhl-arena-in-quebec-city-102437409.html

Feds say they're 'very interested' in plan to build NHL arena in Quebec City
By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 8/09/2010 9:52 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 8/09/2010 1:14 PM

Print E–mail 0Share0ShareNewReport Error QUEBEC - The federal government says it's "very interested" in the construction of a new arena for Quebec City, fuelling speculation the feds might help support the effort to bring back an NHL team.

The project is considered a prerequisite for the return of NHL hockey following the departure of the Nordiques in 1995.

All eyes are now on Ottawa, with the federal government being asked to fund 45 per cent of the arena. The provincial and municipal governments have already said they will fund the rest.

The feds are exploring the option.

"As far as a new arena is concerned, our government is very interested to know if this can be done," John Babcock, a spokesman for Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, said in an email Wednesday.

"As the prime minister has clearly said, we would be very happy if (the) Nordiques could make a comeback to Quebec City."

He says Ottawa is now reviewing a feasibility study that supports the construction of a new multi-purpose arena.

The report by Equipe-Quebec — a group working to attract the Winter Olympics — recommends building an arena. But it also suggests the building would run a deficit unless it attracted an NHL tenant.

"We understand the Equipe-Quebec report supports the construction of a new multipurpose venue which could host world-class sports events, cultural and community events, or potentially be home to an NHL team. We are reviewing the report," Babcock wrote.

[jetsorbust]

I know we're pretty much all on the same page here with our thoughts on this. And I know it's not at all a done deal, but this is worrying me frankly. If I didn't hate Quebec enough before (and I did) I certainly will if this funding goes through.

I mean seriously, what is the most they've ever given to any other Canadian city for an arena? I know it was around $13 Million for the MTSC, what is the standard?

[Hobble]

45 freakin' % of their arena to be funded by the government?!?

I want the Nords back as much as everyone else, but that is a little heavy... They are so adamant that they want to separate, yet they want all our money to build their arena?!?

Probably just Harper trying to buy Quebec votes...

[sashamtl]

Sept 7, 2010 17:57:48 GMT -5 Dante_X said:

so now they got 270 millions of the 400 millions needed

We got 230 millions (180 millions from Quebec Premier Jean Charest and 50 millions from Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume)
We need 170M$ from Mr. Harper

Mr. Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Inc., Quebecor Media Inc. and Sun Media Corporation will buy a NHL team

[pegger5]

So 100% Government funded ! 45% each from Feds and QC Province and 10% from Quebec City... This would be the ONLY 100% public funded NHL size arena in Canada.
The Human Rights National Museum being built in Winnipeg was only 30% funded by the federal government.. "a NATIONAL museum" Unless he gives equal amounts to other cities for their arena's this is the biggest joke in history. Can you say CF-18 contract all over again!

Who cares who buys the team, it has nothing to do with this... Maybe Quebecor should put money into this like Chipman did ($65 million) or 50% of cost of his own money.. He financed it but has already paid it off.. QC should get no more than 8% of total cost from Feds.

[LT]

This is bullshite!

[gman]

They still won't be getting a team ahead of Winnipeg.

[jetsorbust]

Sept 9, 2010 9:58:49 GMT -5 gman said:

They still won't be getting a team ahead of Winnipeg.

Let's hope not, but if this arena plan does go through it certainly puts Winnipeg from being front runner largely due to being the only viable city with an arena ready and waiting, to being one of two cities...

I guess if they do get ahead of us and get a team back first, when the Jets return we'll at least know who to hate and have a rivalry with!

Having said this however I really do find it hard to believe they could be approved for 100% public funding of the arena. Let's hope anyways.

Go Jets GO!

[allthisgold]

I emailed Vic Toews reminding him that a seat in Manitoba is worth as much as a seat in Quebec. I hate how hard it is to convince the federal government to contribute to buildings in Manitoba. To have the federal government not immediately state that they will not fund to this obscene level is terrible.

[sashamtl]

Mr. Peladeau will start his new sports channel (TVA SPORTS) with Nordiques package (pay-per-view) in 2011.
Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume and NHL lawyer and Nordiques ex-owner Marcel Aubut met Bettman in Octobre 2009 and they had the garanty that QC will have a NHL team if we built a NHL arena.

[The Unknown Poster]

They WILL get a team ahead of Winnipeg if they build this palace.

Where has it been stated that Bettman promised them a team? He can't promise to move a team before that is even an option. Expansion?

Is expansion possibly a back up plan to getting teams in Winnipeg and Quebec?

[Ducky]

Sept 8, 2010 21:11:25 GMT -5 LT said:

This is bullshite!

yep it is. I guess harper has gone america style of funding of new arena/stadiums. Personally I believe the majority of the financing should be private.

I heard on the radio Harper saying the new regina stadium. dome/convention centre will get equal funding as quebec new arena.