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Post by WJG on Dec 1, 2010 11:39:57 GMT -5
QUEBEC CITY –- Top Edmonton Oilers executives, including President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe, are to meet Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume Wednesday to discuss possible relocation, QMI has learned.
Oilers President and CEO Patrick Laforge and Paul Marcaccio, with the Katz ownership group, have also travelled east as talks to build a new and profitable arena in Edmonton remain stalled.
“We don’t know what to expect from this meeting,” Lowe, a former captain of Quebec City’s junior hockey team, told QMI.
“Just the fact that we’re meeting Mayor Labeaume to discuss possibilities, the sky is the limit. Exchanging ideas is the main goal of the meeting.”
A source close to the Oilers says team officials decided to explore relocation options amid opposition in Edmonton to a $1-billion arena that would be partially funded by taxpayers. The Katz Group proposes that the city borrow $400 million to build the facility, with the money being paid back through tax revenue generated from surrounding developments.
Some city councillors balked at the idea, though Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel calls the project “innovative and creative.”
The Katz group wants construction to begin in less than 18 months and the source tells QMI that Oilers brass are worried about the slow pace of negotiations.
“They even met (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman two weeks ago … if Quebec makes them an offer, they might consider it,” said the source.
Quebec City already has the support of its provincial government to build a $400-million arena as the first step to bringing NHL hockey back to the capital. The Nordiques left for Colorado in 1995 and there has since been a groundswell of support, including massive public rallies, pushing for a new team.
Federal financing would be key to completing the financing of new arenas in Edmonton or Quebec City. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has so far stopped short of committing money to either project.
Lowe says relocation is not the only option for the Oilers, explaining that team management will also discuss ways to work with Quebec City’s mayor to press Ottawa to chip in for arenas in both cities.
“We’re doing all we can, ” said Lowe. “We’re talking to a lot of people, including Mayor Labeaume, to see where we are, where they are and if we can brainstorm together.”www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/12/01/16387081.html
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Post by 14pac03 on Dec 1, 2010 12:39:05 GMT -5
I'm from QC and I hope its not true, why relocating a team when the arena is full every game
We need USA team, not Canada team!!!
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Post by tjg66 on Dec 1, 2010 13:02:38 GMT -5
I'm from QC and I hope its not true, why relocating a team when the arena is full every game We need USA team, not Canada team!!! All this is about is Katz leveriging the media to get his arena built. People in Edmonton will see the article and put pressure on their local politicians. Pretty standard way of doing business. I seriously doubt the Oilers would move and the NHL even allowing that. There is not alot of relocation options available to the league and they would not waste them on a Canadian city.
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Post by jetsorbust on Dec 1, 2010 13:07:41 GMT -5
Wow I missed this article til now but it's just laughable. Clearly they are discussing "ways to work with Quebec City’s mayor to press Ottawa to chip in for arenas in both cities" but it always amuses me that a team would even want to put a bluff like this on the table.
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Post by 14pac03 on Dec 1, 2010 13:15:41 GMT -5
everybody in Quebec on radio said its a bluff
but I hate when Quebec is a levrage for an another city like this summer in CFL Tiger Cats was moving to Quebec City
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Post by jhendrix70 on Dec 1, 2010 14:17:27 GMT -5
Not fair for Quebec to be used like this....
If I was an Oiler fan; I'd have to say i'd be a little pissed off at the Management team. ( and Owner )
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Post by jetsorbust on Dec 1, 2010 14:22:07 GMT -5
Not fair for Quebec to be used like this.... If I was an Oiler fan; I'd have to say i'd be a little pissed off at the Management team. ( and Owner ) Yeah, no doubt. Their playing with Quebec's hearts (and using their hopes and dreams to their advantage), when to me there is simply no reason to. Everyone involved would know it's 100% a bluff, so why do this to your fans and the folks in QC? Seems bush league to me, but sure makes you even more proud of what TNSE did to get the MTS Centre built
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Post by Domi on Dec 1, 2010 15:12:10 GMT -5
I'm a little disgusted at the NHL's tactics here. For Phoenix, they go on and on about how they will avoid relocation at all costs, but for Edmonton, its "build a new arena or we go to Quebec, nuff said!"
This would be the worst move Quebec could make, because that team would never really be there's. It would always be the Oilers. Anyway, I'm sure its just a stupid negotiating tactic.
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Post by wpgmike on Dec 1, 2010 15:26:41 GMT -5
MTS build cost $133.5 million, Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center cost $210million (albeit that was 15 years ago, but prices haven't doubled in the last 15 years) Quebec & Edmonton arenas are expected to cost $400 million? $400 million?!?!?!?!
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Post by Guardian on Dec 1, 2010 15:36:06 GMT -5
Its sad to see one Canadian city using another in this fashion.
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Post by jetsorbust on Dec 1, 2010 15:51:26 GMT -5
MTS build cost $133.5 million, Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center cost $210million (albeit that was 15 years ago, but prices haven't doubled in the last 15 years) Quebec & Edmonton arenas are expected to cost $400 million? $400 million?!?!?!?! From what I read of the article, Edmonton is looking at a Billion Dollar investment... but that is including surrounding developments as well. I'm not sure what the price tag is on Edmonton's arena itself, but certainly a lot more than the MTS cost. It's funny how adding 25% more seats seems to add 200% to the cost...
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Post by razorsedge on Dec 1, 2010 17:02:06 GMT -5
I'm from QC and I hope its not true, why relocating a team when the arena is full every game We need USA team, not Canada team!!! All this is about is Katz leveriging the media to get his arena built. People in Edmonton will see the article and put pressure on their local politicians. Pretty standard way of doing business. I seriously doubt the Oilers would move and the NHL even allowing that. There is not alot of relocation options available to the league and they would not waste them on a Canadian city. The Oilers aren't even considering location to Quebec, thats just the media putting their twist on it. It's just two guys who are trying to get arena's built with taxpayer money comparing notes. Katz grew up an Oiler fan and is an Edmontonian (you can see his mansion from the Whitemud Hwy). He's not moving the Oilers whatsoever.
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Post by WavyGravy on Dec 1, 2010 17:17:29 GMT -5
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Post by tp2005 on Dec 1, 2010 18:56:01 GMT -5
Bettman probably got so sick of Canadians demanding another city in Canada to get a team that he finally just said, "Fine Canada, you can have another team, Oilers to Quebec! HA!How do you love me now?"
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Post by tsmof on Dec 1, 2010 22:55:08 GMT -5
I hope Oilers fans get some answers here. This should be nothing more than comparing notes... Or two groups teaming up to knock on Ottawa's door together... If the Katz Ownership group actually used this as a tactic to get what they want... Thats a pretty crappy thing to do to people who have done nothing but support their team.
If you replaced "Quebec" with "Winnipeg" in this article... as a Winnipegger who wants nothing more than to have an NHL team, I would still tell Lowe and company to go back to Edmonton, and we're not interested.
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Post by WavyGravy on Dec 1, 2010 23:20:19 GMT -5
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Post by subwayscoundrel on Dec 4, 2010 18:16:59 GMT -5
I'm a little disgusted at the NHL's tactics here. For Phoenix, they go on and on about how they will avoid relocation at all costs, but for Edmonton, its "build a new arena or we go to Quebec, nuff said!" This would be the worst move Quebec could make, because that team would never really be there's. It would always be the Oilers. Anyway, I'm sure its just a stupid negotiating tactic. I don't think this has anything to do with with NHL so not sure why you would say "NHL's tactic". This is Oiler management, not the NHL. It says they talked to GB 2 weeks ago but does not mean they said they are are talking about Quebec. This is just leverage to get the people behind them. Management Tactic 101. If you are mad at someone, get mad at Oiler management. And the oilers have used this tactic before as in '95 with a possible move to Raleigh and with this arena. The Oilers need an arena and it is an important point n the future of the team. Without it, I don't see them staying although a possible move would be years away. Just the first shot over the bow.
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Post by LT on Dec 4, 2010 23:00:55 GMT -5
If I was the city I would tell him to move the team. I'm a little tired of these millionaire billionaires threatening cities. You know what if you're so damn rich and it's such a great idea why not build it yourself you cheap bastards.
It's all a big joke and ya the dollars they want spent on these arenas or should I say palaces...come on, where's the common sense???
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Post by selanne405 on Dec 6, 2010 0:40:03 GMT -5
Wait a 1 billion dollar arena in Edmonton? Somethings not right. Still the Oilers arent going anywhere.
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Post by mrconfusion87 on Dec 16, 2010 4:35:51 GMT -5
I don't think Quebecers would like to pluck a team from a fellow Canadian city!
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